Help! - Back pain

[Pootles2010]

Hi, hope someone can help! I'm 24 weeks, seems like just when i turned 24 weeks (on thursday) my morning sickness stopped overnight, and was replaced with back pain! Its only when i sit down for more than 10 mins or so, but really hurts!

My midwife thought i might have kidney infection, i don't (phew!) but have no idea what it is now. Just normal pregnancy aches + pains? Has anyone had any experience of using those support things they sell, and were they any good? Need to do something, can't cope with this for 3 months!

Thanks!

What kind of pain? Where does it hurt - hips, tailbone, general aches? What are you sitting on?

More info please and I will then give you my completely non-medical opinion.

OK, since you've discussed it with your mw, I feel I can offer my experience. I used one of these and it was my saviour during 3 pgs.

I guess it was from about the same time you are talking about - it gave me just enough support to stop the constant aching. However, it was walking and standing that gave me the problem, not sitting.

Downside - it presses on your bladder.....

Thanks for your replies. Its mid-to-upper back pain, and it happens whatever i sit on - hard floor, car seat, and tried every type of chair at work, none help! As soon as i stand, lie down or walk it goes away.

The other thing to mention is i've always been a little (ahem) top-heavy, but i'm not really any bigger than at start of preg so not sure if thats the issue.

OK, sorry but this is actually outside my experience (very lower back pain, hips, beginnings of SPD.)

I did have referred pain from SPD which meant that my mid/upper back hurt, and I found a massage therapist who really helped - started with 2x massage a week and now down to 1 every 2 weeks. Cost fortune but better than back pain.

Also, I guess it could be bra fitting??

Maybe ask your midwife for a referral to a physio? Sounds like something that might need more medical attention. Good luck.

I found that the OSIM iPamper machine really helps my pain - i had bought this way before my pregnancy for general tension in my shoulders and back but found that it is one of the only things which helps during my pregnancy. I wouldnt use it on my lower back but i have been using it on my upper back, legs, arms, bum and anywhere else i have a twitch or an ache! Just google osim ipamper and it will come up - costs £99 however but well worth it.

Alterntively one of those curvy breast feeding pillow helps take off some of the stress from the upper back when you use it around your waist whilst sitting down. These are about £25-30.

Apparently it was a bit more than normal back pain... Had a fit on Saturday (at a first aid course of all places ) and it turns out the baby's pressing against nerves + blood vessels in my back and cutting off the blood to my brain... great.

Has anyone else had anything like this?

I haven't any experience of this myself. But I have heard that you are supposed to lie on your side (left I think) rather than on your back as it stops the baby pressing on blood vessels and nerves. Don't know if this is any help/interest.

Hope you are ok now. x

Thanks Mrs-am fine now. Midwives in hospital seemed ok with it once they'd established wasn't eclampsia. I did know that - was sat down at the time. I've been trying to lie on my left side, as much as possible...

Am just worried as she seemed to think it happens more as baby gets bigger, i really hope it doesn't become a regular occurrence!

It's all very well saying that we're not to lie on our backs but every time I fall asleep on my side I waken on my back and if I try to get up I am really dizzy - very annoying.

I also get upper back pain - I find sitting against something solid helps, when it's very bad paracetamol and ice. DH does a good massage but it does tend to give him ideas that at 35 weeks are not as welcome as they normally are!