Back Pain

Dr. Teri Stockwell, Northcare Chiropractic. She specializes in pregnancy and babies, you will love her!!!

I;m on # 5, and everthing just seems to happen sooner, but it doesn't las the entire pregnancy (or, at least) hasn't for me. Try to rest when you can and use one of those maternity belts if you've got it. I know it seems silly only being this far along, but it happens to all of us, and it will help. Good luck!

Chiropractor chiropractor chiropractor!!!!!!! I just had my 4th baby, and had severe back pain with my first three pregnancies. This time around I went to my chiropractor throughout my pregnancy and the difference was amazing. No back pain and I even had an easy delivery. I only pushed for 5 minutes even though the baby was in an awkward position (her arm came out with her head). I go to Dr Tim with Altaview Chiropractic in Sandy, and he is the best!

Try "Tiger Balm" patches. They are at Walmart and so on. They are heated pads that stick on your skin, they have a rub on ointment too., (My Physical Therepist used them and they sell the ointment there too.) They work well... getting deep into the tissue and lasting awhile. I know from expierence that you may have to mix things up and use several remedies but those patches REALLY help. Be blessed!

Check with your doctor, but it could possibly have something to do with your sciatic nerve. (Depending on where the pain is) When I was pregnant with my son, he sat/layed on my sciatic nerve for about 5 months. At times it was absolutely excrutiating to the point of hardly being able to walk, other times it wouldn't bother me at all. It all just depended on how he was laying at the time. There might be some stretching exercises that might help relieve it. Good luck!

Heather hit it on the nail, try the cat stretch in the shower also with hot water hitting your back.

Yes, I had that problem to the point I could not walk sometimes. There are exercises you can do and they do help. One is where you get on all fours and tilt your pelvis up and down not too much though it's hard to describe I know they have them in the back of the book "what too expect when your expecting" but your doctor should have some or maybe on the web. I didn't think they would work either but I was desperate. And by the second day the pain was better and usually after you hit about week 22 it goes away for a few months until you really big then it may come back again...

My suggestion would be to look online for pregnancy exercises/stretches that you can do to relieve your pain and strengthen your back at the same time. Good Luck!

Hi Ruby! Been there, done that with the back pain except mine was with my first. He sat on my sciatic nerve from about the point you are at on to the end. There were times my right leg would give out and I would end up dropping to the floor on my hands & knees to get him to fall forward. AND he gave me back labor!! (like you wanted to hear that!) Anyways, if you don't currently have a chiropractor, please consider finding one. I used chiropractic with my 2nd and 3rd and it was wonderful. Really helped the way I felt. No sciatic pain what so ever with #2 & #3. It's worth a try and most insurances will pay for it/most chiropractors accept insurance. The key is finding one that accepts yours. Hoping that little darling gets off your nerve :)

Hi Angela -
I had back pain as well and I still have occassional back cramps with my monthly - so lots of experience with that. I used a chiropractor and Bio-freeze as suggested by several moms below - but - what worked for me best for me was one of those HoMedics brand massage mats with heat. Don't get the shiatsu type - get the motor type. The shiatsu it just too rough on the body for some pains. Mine is the full body type that you can lay on and set a timer. It was about $99 then - but I have seen simial brands(not as nice) in the Walmart during Christmas for a lot less. I used to set the timer on the massage mat for 30 minutes and sit in my comfy easy chair. Sometimes I would actually relax enough to fall asleep for a few minutes in the chair. It was great. Now that I am no longer pregnant (my daughter is 18 months old) and I can lay flat on my back, I will use it in bed with the mat under me and fall asleep on it all night. Since it has a timer, I don't worry about the heat. It goes off automatically. I loaned this to my friend who was havingsevere hip pains during the last month of her pregnancy in October, and she said it was 'Heaven' to have. She said it really saved her a lot of pain. I looked online for a similar mat to mine and below my signature is a link to cut and paste into your web browser so that you can see what I am talking about. It is a long link - but it does work. I opened a new window and tried it. After you get to the page click on the one that has the picture of the lady laying on the mat on her couch. That is the correct one. It is only a little more money than the chair sized one and is well worth the extra $15. Actually - I think the link shows the same one as I have (just the newer model) They have come down in price over the years. This is half what I paid for mine.
I hope this helps -

K.
mother of 2

Here's the link - - - -

http://stores.maggiescottage.com/shared/StoreFront/defaul...

I had an excellent chiropracter during my pregnancy. Unfortunately he is in TX or I would suggest you see him. Also you might try indulging in a massage every other month or so.

I've always had chronic back pain with my two kids during pregnancy, your right tylenol didnt touch one thing. My doctor had me at a chiro that did a little, Warm baths, ask your doctor some suggestions and also ask them about what every body else is recommending you to do about the patches and the Bio Freeze. I'm not pregnant now but my sister is and I dont think they recommended any of those products other than a heating pad and warm baths. It sucks to be in pain with the lower back pain, it pauses you to do things that you really need to get done. I hope this helps.
Sincerely, T. H.

Find a good chiropractor experienced in pre natal care!

I had continuous back pain with my second child. I just laid down a lot. There isn't much you can do. Back rubs, heating pads on low, may help a little. Oh and the way you sleep. Good luck!!!!

When I was pg the last time, I gained more weight with that one. I borrowed someones back brace. Those kind that those who lift heavy objects wear that is like a big black band that goes around your middle and has suspenders? I just put it so it was like holding up my belly. However next time, I will be seeing a Chiropractor. Since we started seeing one, I have been amazed as to how many women actually see one throughout their pregnancies!

Hi Angela,

I am the mother of 5 wonderful children and with every pregnancy the back pain started earlier and earlier for me. My suggestions are cold packs, hot packs, and massage. All 3 of these really helped me out alot. Another thing you can try is a daily low intensity strecthing exercises for your lower back and legs. Your midwife should have some type of pregnancy safe exercises to offer you. Well good luck with the rest of your preg it will be over with before you know it and you will be holding that wonderful little back pain in your arms.
MOAT aka Mommy of a Tribe

Hi Angela~
I had that, too, and the Tylenol was worthless. I asked my OB why I couldn't take Advil and she said I actually COULD until week 32 or so. Now, I tell you this only as a suggestion and DEFINITELY ask your OB first, but it was a lifesaver for me. My doc said that the Ibuprofen in Advil was only a problem later in the pregnancy, regarding the heart valves opening (something like that) and that they usually just tell you not to take it rather than give you a timeline. Again, though, ask the doc first!
~L.

** I remembered something this morning to add. When I was pregnant I bought a BellaBand that goes around your growing tummy and supports your back. It totally looks like a tank under your shirts if it shows (it's actually kind of cute) and it was a LIFESAVER! Order the size you are pre-preg. b/c IMO they run big. Totally worth the money, I wore mine from 3 mo. up to (and after) birth!

There is this great roll on pain gel called Bio Freeze you can get it on line or at most Chiropactors offices. It works great and the smell goes away after a few minutes. You may also want to go to a chiroprachor a good one will be able to help you. I just started going to one in the past year after 10 years of back pain, I am now 80% better. Good luck.

Desiree 40 yr old mother of 3..

I had Sciatica with my pregnancies. It was excrutiating. I found that wearing good shoes, even in the house helped somehow. When I went barefoot it got worse. I also got a pregnancy yoga video and that helped a lot. Sometimes the baby's position can really hurt your back, and if you can the baby to reposition it relieves some of the pain. Good luck!

i don't want to duplicate any advise, but my back pain was noticeably worse on a softer mattress, while visiting my folks over the holidays. Returning home to a more firm mattress was such a relief.
Also doing calf stretches on the stairs, particularly lowering your heels below your toes was amazingly effective.
Good Luck
S.
Due in April with #3

So aside from someone selling you a product, which may or may not be safe to absorb into your skin during pregnancy, I would recommend Chiropractic care. I did it with both my pregnancies and I felt great for most of both of them. Your body will shift and muscles stretch, which is why this works great because they can keep you "in line" and virtually painfree. I don't recommend painkillers of anykind for the obvious reason that they cover the pain and don't fix the problem. If your insurance covers it, go for it. If they don't, most offices have an underinsured plan. Sign up for a massage or two as well!
You will be feeling better in no time.
C.

Hi! I had similar problems when pregnant with my second child. The Dr. sent me to physical therapy where they taught me stretches to strengthen the muscles in my back and take the pressure off and they also recommended an abdominal support belt. I also spent the money to get a good body pillow for sleeping and that helped too. A friend of mine got great results from Yoga. She bought a DVD she could do at home that was designed for pregnant women and the stretches and breathing techniques helped with the back pain and other pain as well even into labor. Hope this helps!

Fortunately, usually the back pain does not last the entire pregnancy. I had terrible lower back pain with my first starting about the same time you are. My doctor said that it has a lot to do with the position of the baby. Anyway, the thing that helped immensely and almost immediate relief was some simple yoga stretches. I'm sure you can look them up online if you don't know them, but simply alternating between the dog and cat poses for a couple of minutes really works. Hope that helps, and good luck.

Congrats Angela on baby number two!
I am due in Feb and have had a lot of back pain this round as well. I don't do meds during pregnancy... just my thing so here are a few things that have helped me a lot. Hubby- rubbing my back... especially before bedtime... its one of those things that if they can learn how to do it the way you like it can help during labor too.

There is the cat stretch- this one really helps and is so good for your body and realigning your uteris too. You get on hands and knees and pelvic rock. So as you breath out you round your back up and rock your pelvic bone forward and then breath in allow your back to sink down, rock your pelvic bone back. Do these as often as you need to and many of my books say to do as many as 40 reps.

Those help me a lot, as does warm baths, not sitting or standing in one position for long amounts of time and plenty of sleep. One last thing is to make sure you are not sleeping on your back. I hope that helps in some way shape or form. Good luck and congrats again.

I would recommend 3 things: chiropractor, acupuncture, and an abdominal support belt. That should help you a great deal!

We have something in common. I am 26 years old. I have one little boy that is two years old and I am also expecting another boy on June 12. Anyway- I would just be careful that it is not back labor. I am sure it probably isn't but good luck with the pain. I am not having that problem but I wish I had some advice.

Hi Angela! I recently had our 3rd baby...and when I was pregnant with him I experienced a lot of back pain around the same time. It didn't last the entire pregnancy, though...hopefully yours doesn't either. Mine lasted for about a month..maybe my back muscles just had to get used to supporting the extra weight...I'm just guessing here :) I used heating pads, chair massagers, and at night, a body pillow--all which seemed to help a little. Mine used to bother me the most at work...I sit in an office chair all day. So I rolled up a towel and placed it behind my lower back in the chair to provide some support. I'm sure you could buy a back support like this..I just improvised. Also, I tried to get up and walk around as much as I was able. Good luck!!

Angela,
Ask your midwife or MD for a referral to a Physical therapist that specializes in Pregnancy related back pain. Things are weaker now and they can show you how to specifically strengthen your core muscles safely while pregnant and use belts if needed. They are very easy to do and it works wonderfully!!! It gives you some control over your body when you feel out of control.
God Bless.

There is a company call Melaleuca that has a back rub that is very powerful. Give me a call and I will help you get some.

M. B.
###-###-####
____@____.com

I would try some excerice, like swimming, or cat and cow stretches. Also massage maybe. You should be able to do some things to help ease the pain besides just tylenol. Ask your doctor what would work best for that spot. It may also be for you to lighten your load and put your feet up during the day!