Terrible back pain

[Hattieboomboom]

Hi all,
I'm 26 weeks pregnant and for the last month or so have had increasingly bad lower back pain. I know this is common in pregnancy, but it started quite suddenly for me, after stupidly spending a few days gardening - lots of bending and dragging a heavy bag of compost around the garden. (Very silly, I know now!) - and I'm worried I may have actually done some permanent damage. Also, as its getting worse every day, am worried it'll be unbearable by the end of my pregnancy if I don't get some help with it now.

The pain is mostly centred around my tail bone area although today the whole of my lower back and top of my buttocks are hurting too. Sometimes its more of a sore pain than an ache. Lying down is fine, so am not having trouble sleeping, but standing, walking and even sitting is often painful.

I have two questions for other members - firstly, has anybody else suffered these symptoms, if so, can they recommend anything? I've started going to pregnancy pilates and am considering getting a kneeling chair for whilst I am my desk at work. Secondly, I've booked an appointment at the Octagon Clinic in Hammersmith - has anybody been here before? Comes highly recommended by my pilates teacher but am a bit sceptical about going to see a chiropractor as they do have a bit or a reputation for quackery....

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

hello Hattie.

I'm not an expert by any means and can only speak from experience. I also had back pain during pregnancy mostly as my pelvis was slightly twisted. I visited a chiropractor who specialised in treating pregnant women. It cost quite a bit but the relief was tremendous. So much so that I continued with the treatment after and as a result had next to no back pain during my second pregnancy.

Pregnancy can exacerbate any slight existing conditions the body already has because of the immense pressure the baby puts on all the bodys systems.

it sounds possible that you might be developing PGP/SPD, thats how mine started, with increased lower back pain, i thought little of it at first as i get back pain on and off away from pregnancy.

put in a call to your midwife and get a referral to the physiotherapist, they can sort you out with some exercises and advice to keep the muscles strong that wont harm the baby

gd luck

I had exactly what you described - I spent a weekend at 26 weeks clearing out the spare room for the baby and despite the fact others did the heavy lifting and I was really only sifting through wardrobes and shelves I was twisting and turning a lot and after two days I was in agony and the pain was exactly where you describe.

I can't suggest any miracle cures but long baths, hot waterbottle on back, yoga stretches and paracetomal really helped and it settled down after a week or so. I've had to be extra careful since as any similar type activity does tend to bring it back.

Get referred to a Women's Health Physiotherapist ASAP.
They should sort you out but in the meantime I found a support belt helpful too.

Thanks so much for your advice. Funnily enough, I hadn't actually considered paracetamol! Will take one though - am still in pain!

I also have something similar, although not as bad yet, and have had it for a couple of weeks (am 17 weeks now). My osteopath thinks it is a twist in the pelvis, exacerbated by the preg hormones, etc. I had 3 treatments which seemed to help, but it feels bad again now. It doesn't seem to be related to walking around lots. I would recommend osteopathy, definitely, but I am also going to visit GP to see if there is any other treatment I can try on my health insurance too.

Have you had any massages since your garden work? That might help, as well as hot, then cold treatment - ie. hot water bottle, then ice, etc.

I didn't know that it could be a sign of SPD, so I hope for both of us that's not it!