My back is killing me!

[BrightSpark10]

Just that… I’m currently 14 weeks and 3 days pregnant. This is my first pregnancy, and honestly, it hasn’t been the most enjoyable experience so far. The first 10 weeks were rough constant nausea that nothing seemed to help. Now that phase is over, but a new challenge has arrived: severe back pain.

I can’t lie on my back at all it feels like sciatica, and my back feels “locked.” Rolling onto my side is a struggle, making all kinds of noises 😅. Even sneezing or coughing is painful. Today, the discomfort has spread, and my entire back aches whether I’m sitting on a chair, sofa, or moving around.

I barely have a bump yet, haven’t gained any weight, and I’m petite at 5’2”. My first midwife appointment isn’t for another 2.5 weeks. I’ve tried gentle stretches, warm baths, and other remedies, but nothing seems to help. I’m starting to worry about how this will feel as my pregnancy progresses and my bump grows.

Is it normal to experience this level of back pain so early in pregnancy? I’ve never had back problems or any other health issues before.

At this point no, I'd say that level of back pain is unusual. Certainly in later pregnancy most women's backs are pretty sore, but not right now. Are you sure it's actually pregnancy related? Could you have strained it doing something else? Not the worst thing in the world to not be able to sleep on your back though as it's not recommend anyway later in pregnancy

Other than your back are you feeling fine?
I would probably go to the GP for reassurance tomorrow, because none of us can tell you what's going on over the internet, but it could just be pregnancy related.
The hormones in pregnancy help your ligaments relax, and this can cause your joints to be sore. Sometimes the muscles can tighten to compensate for the looser joints, and that can cause pain too.
I had pain in early pregnancy which went away by itself. I then had back pain towards the end of the 2nd trimester which just got worse and worse. The physiotherapist was a miracle worker. __

Thanks so much for the replies!

Apart from my back, I feel fine. I don’t think I’ve done anything to injure it I mostly work from home, so it’s not like I’ve strained it at work. I haven’t lifted anything heavy or done anything I can think of that would cause it. I don’t take any medication apart of foli acid. Yeah I’m aware I shouldn’t sleep in my back but what I meant was that I can’t lay flat even briefly when I get into bed 🥲

Is it definitely pregnancy-related? I honestly don’t know… but since pregnancy is really the only “big change” in my life right now, I’ve just assumed that must be the cause.

I would also look into a good QUALIFIED pregnancy masseuse. Maternity massage is safe as long as you go to people with the right qualifications. Stay away from beauty/massage places and look for people with more sports/physio style backgrounds who can get to the bottom of where the pain is coming from. But one with a qualification is key!! On the very off chance you are in central Scotland I can reccomend someone but if not just do a bit of research.

Also float tanks are totally safe the whole way through pregnancy and can relieve pain - i have done 4 during this pregnancy and its bliss, especially as time goes on.