Backache blues

[SUBRINA]

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice.I am 21 weeks pregnant with my second child. I have always suffered a bit with my back (as I am fairly tall) and during my first pregnancy, certainly towards the end (32 weeks +) it gave me some bother. However, ante-natal yoga and exerise seemed to help. I then had a horrendous birthing experience with a back-on-back labour - 2 epidurals (which didn't work) and a post-birth spinal block for a retianed placenta. After the birth, any after pains from feeding were in my back and when my menstual cycle re-started - again, awaful back pain. To make things worse, last December I slipped on some ice and fell on the base of my spine - the pain came back again.

I am now experiencing miserable pain, even though I am not particularly big - to the extent I feel sick and off my food. I am still doing yoga but nothing seems to help. Most of all I am terrifed of another 'back' labour.

On the issue of size, I was tiny with my first - at 36 weeks they were worried I was leaking fluid. I gave birth to an 8llb 13oz boy! This time it's the same story, I am still wearing my normal clothes. Someone has suggested that this is all due to carrying the baby close to the spine.

Any suggestions? Someone has suggested an osteopath.

I'll second the osteopath suggestion!! I put my back out really badly when 6 weeks pregnant with DS2. Although I gained movement back, the pain was constant.

At 8 weeks pg I went to an oseopath and about 6 trips later the pain was gone completely. It was sore after each visit (like I'd been beaten up at first!) but the actual manipulation didn't hurt at all. I was completely pain free for a whole year - something I'd not had for ages as I've suffered from back pain for about 10 years now. The pain came back through general "misuse" ie leaning out of bed to pick a hefty newborn out of the moses basket next to my bed. Again, the osteopath worked wonders.

I too am fairly tall but it turns out my problems stem from a slightly S shaped spine (scoliosis) which means the lower vertebrae are susceptible to locking.

The slip on ice you had in December may have pushed your coccix (however it's spelt - you know what I mean!) out of alignment - something I did on the edge of our bed when I sat down and missed the mattress. Oddly enough, giving birth to DS1 sorted this out (similar to yours : back-to-back, 10lb-er, spinal block for repair) but didn't give me any extra back pain as such.

Give an osteopath a go. It worked wonders for me.

Might also be worth asking for a referall to an NHS physio. I have always suffered from back pain but at about 16 wks pg with ds2 I found it unbearable.

GP quickly referred me (saw physio within 10 days) and I was told it was my ligaments (or was that muscles?) slackening early - all the loosening up that normally happens towards the end of prenancy ready for birth.

I had to see the physio fortnightly and at about 28 wks started wearing a back support (which was bliss believe it or not ) It was really just a giant Tubigrip bandage which was worn like a girdle and helped to support my bump to take the strain. I honestly dont think I could have made it to term without the help.

Thank you both for your advice, it's nice to know I'm not the only one. I will definately try both the GP route and, if necessary a private Osteopath.

Go to your GP first - it was mine who recommended my osteopath to me.

I had/have similar problems and a temporary thing for relief recommended by my physio is to lie on your back with your lower legs on the bed or chair - whichever makes your knees a right angle - which just takes the weight off a bit. Have also heard this recommended for non-pg back pain.

I had a lot of physio during my pregnancy too due to back pain. My physio ordered me a back support to wear in between treatments.

It is a specially designed Maternity one, is quite substantial and looks like a contraption to put on but the difference is great and the relief enormous.