Is back pain and general achy feelings normal at 16 weeks?

[Moominmiss]

So I’m only just over 16 weeks with baby number 4. I know that I should be feeling at my best now I’m into the second trimester, but honestly I feel miserable.

I sailed through the first trimester with barely a noticeable symptom. But now here I am at 16 weeks feeling like death.

I was sick for first time yesterday, and my back aches ALL the time. I sit up straight, I lie down, I use my pregnancy pillow between my knees and still I feel achy.

I just don’t ever feel comfortable and honestly I feel ridiculous complaining at such an early point in my pregnancy.

I have a pretty decent sized bump already, but did at this point with my third and don’t recall struggling like this. Perhaps it’s just down to my age and the fact I’m 7 years left than I was during my last pregnancy.

Anyone have any tips to ease the constant back ache? 🙏🏻

Brace your core when you are doing daily activities. The relaxing of things and growing baby weaken your core which causes back pain as it has to do more work. You can try support bands etc but they will allow the muscles to relax even more and lead to more weakness after birth so make sure you rebuild core strength as soon as you are able to after.

Hot water bottle or heat patches as good for easing the back pain.

Thank you @Chelyanne, I hadn’t considered heat patches!

Just feel so silly when I’ve got so long left to go.

I had spd in my second pregnancy and really really hoping this isn’t a sign that I’m going to get it again.

Chances are it will rear it's ugly head at some point. If your back pain is very low it could be an early sign of it.
I had it in my last 3 pregnancies, was horrendous with twins. Got it this time but as I'd rebuilt a lot of strength in the gym between the twins and this it hasn't been too bad so far, 21wk now. I still lift in the gym but down to 50% of pre-pregnancy numbers for squats due to the hips which is not too bad but a lot less than other that are around 70-75%.

Oh gosh, I can’t imagine having had to deal with it in all of my pregnancies. Having it in one was bad enough.

The back pain I have is very low down and I have a pain low down when I turn over in bed that I remember with spd.

That’s amazing that you’re still able to lift so much, even reduced from what you were doing pre pregnancy. I wish I’d have got myself fitter first, but time wasn’t on my side age wise. Feel as though I’m going to pay for it now though.

Silly question but if it is the very early onset of spd there’s nothing I can do to now stop it is there?

Thank you again x

You can't stop it but you can start using any methods that helped limit pain last time. Things like keeping your legs together getting in/out of bed/car, shortening walking stride etc etc. The earlier you start the better you'll cope later on.

Any chance you have an anterior placenta op? I have read those who do often have more back pain

Thank you @Chelyanne I thought as much regarding stopping it. But will start doing those things from now anyway, just incase!

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE I do have an anterior placenta! I never had one in my 3 previous pregnancies so it’s a first fit me. Perhaps that’s causing it too 🤔

No tips but I’m 16+1 and really suffering now too. This is my first pregnancy so panicking how bad it’ll be by the end if it’s so sore already 😩

Well I had a midwife appointment today and she seems confident my spd is returning 😩

I have a pain/ache in my pubic bone when I walk too.

I’m terrified of the fact it’s starting early. The last time I had it I was on crutches by 27 weeks and having weekly physio sessions. But it didn’t start until later on. With it already possibly starting by 16 weeks I’m really not holding out much hope now!