Chronic back pain before pregnancy

[FunkyPigeon35]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone else here has suffered with chronic back pain prior to getting pregnant, and how it was during their pregnancy? I've had it for years. I'm now 12 weeks pregnant and it's been fine, but slightly dreading what the next two trimesters may look like for pain🙈

Interested to hear other people's experience and just to know I'm not alone in this, I know back pain is very common in pregnancy but it's a different kind of worry when you had it even before getting pregnant! Xx

Hi OP, yes I suffer from chronic back pain due to an underlying condition, and I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant and feeling anxious like you!

I don't know what the next few months have in store, but my plan is to re-start some strength training that I was previously doing once I get to the second trimester (in a pregnancy appropriate way, obviously).

Keeping active and moving has always helped my back - do you do any exercise or have any strategies already which help your back? Even walking and swimming can help.

I have also arranged to see an osteopath and a physio in the second trimester. Unfortunately all those things cost money and are not on the NHS but I see it as basically essential for me to get through this.

Do you know the underlying cause of your back pain? That can help as well in terms of knowing how to approach it in pregnancy.

Thank you for sharing! Yeah I manage it with exercise and plan to keep going through pregnancy! Unfortunately they don't know the cause, I've had MRI, diagnostic injections and nada!

Keep me posted on how your develops! Hopefully we'll be ok!😁 xxx

I struggle with this also due to being in an accident in 2010 and it leaving me with back issues. My back will suddenly 'go' without warning and I can barely walk / stand / move. I didn't struggle in my first pregnancy until about 32 weeks but I was barely able to move as it gave way at 38 weeks and I was sofa bound and it was the worst pain I'd ever known.

I'm now pregnant again at 26 weeks and it's starting to flare up if I've been in one position for too long but I'm hoping that I can stay active to avoid any major flare ups. (Although that being said when I was sofa bound in 2022 it was because I'd brushed my teeth at a funny angle and my back just gave way so not sure there was much I could have done!) I was offered physio and this continued until 6 weeks post-birth which was very helpful but I think tot just need to try and remain active (without overdoing it) and just be mindful that the bigger you get, the looser everything becomes so you're more likely to struggle but definitely mention to your midwife if you have a flare up and they'll prioritise you for physio.

I normally have chronic lower back pain that was actually better during pregnancy, lol! I did have to deliver at 32 weeks so I suppose it could have flared back up during the third trimester, but I’ll never know!

Thank you for sharing your experience! 🥰 fingers crossed it stays managable! And ill be careful how I brush my teeth😅 xx

Haha that's music to my ears! I've heard that can happen with nerve pain/inflammatory pain! I hope you and your wee one are ok xx

I had lower back pain with my first two children starting around week 20. Now with my third I am an old fart (46) and zero issues. Exercise made all the difference for me, I trained several times a week before pregnancy and kept going after the first trimester. I’m now in my third trimester and had to drop some of the weight training but I’m still exercising at least three times a week and so far no back problems.

I unfortunately get worse pain during pregnancy although pilates has helped. Definitely try to get an appointment with a pelvic health physio - they will be able to offer some help during pregnancy if you need it (waistbands etc)