Happy-Mama Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 have been suffering from back ache since Friday and really struggling to find any relief. some of the pregnancy websites suggest a support belt but I was a size 6 (am barely 5ft 2) pre pregnancy and I can't find anything small enough. I have a antenatal class today and was hoping to ask for advice there but am currently in so much pain I am not sure I can sit for 1 1/2hrs during the class. So far have tried paracetamol (not happy about this as dont want to take anything at the moment) massage, hot water bottle, and arranged pillows at night. Does anyone have any advice or know where I could find a support band that might fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Poor you. Could it be the way baby is sitting? Maybe you could encourage him / her to turn, go on all fours and let your back drop down then slowly raise it up til your back is arched, failing that fizzy drinks and walking up and down stairs moved mine. Other than that, maybe a massage from a qualified masseuse if you do that kind of thing? If it gets to bad you'll have to speak to your midwife or GP, babies can sit on all sorts of nerves never mind coping with the extra weight putting pressure on your back. Hope you feel better soon BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Could be due to your hormones softening the ligaments and joints. Very painful. A TENS machine may provide some relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 thanks becky boo. I am trying to decide now if I should try and go to the antenatal class and speak to the midwife there or see if I can get a Dr's appointment today. can't speak to anyone until 8am (the antenatal class is at 9am) so will see how I feel then, have just had a hot shower which has helped a bit but then I worry as was told that too much heat should be avoided I will try the walking up and down stairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 thanks Eglutine, I never thought of using a tens machine before labour, have been looking at them recently and definitely want to get one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Do go to the antenatal class and explain things to the midwife. You probably need advice from a physio, they will provide a suitable support belt (in fact I think the midwife at my class gave me mine, I didn't need to see the physio ) I sympathise, it's one of those 'joys' of pregnancy Hopefully it is just the way the babe is lying so should ease if he moves a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 thanks Snowy Howells, I think you are right i need to try and go, I just found the leaflet I got about the class and it looks like a physiotherapist may be at the class so they are probably the best person to speak to. Also the class is for people who are 14-22 weeks pregnant and I am already 22 weeks so if i dont go to this one they may say I can't go to it when they next run it. will take a cushion with me for my back and hopefully they won't mind it I dont sit for the whole class... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 thanks Snowy Howells, I think you are right i need to try and go, I just found the leaflet I got about the class and it looks like a physiotherapist may be at the class so they are probably the best person to speak to. Also the class is for people who are 14-22 weeks pregnant and I am already 22 weeks so if i dont go to this one they may say I can't go to it when they next run it. will take a cushion with me for my back and hopefully they won't mind it I dont sit for the whole class... I think they will be used to it Hun Hope it goes well xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Hopefully they will be able to provide useful advice at the antenatal class and I hope you get relief from your back ache soon. I also hope you enjoy your class, even if you need to keep walking around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 My sister has had this for nearly the past nine months - she is due in 4 weeks. She is of a petite frame & the baby is pushing against a nerve. She is constantly in agony & her baby is breach. She has a check up on Friday to see if it is still breach. She has been walking round with her hand on her side, shoving the baby in a comfy position as best she could. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 How did the class go? Did you get any help? (I was thinking TENS machine too, I must admit .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I'm sure I remember something on my TENs machine saying you're not to use it before so many weeks pregnant. Hope your midwife was able to give you some advice (and relief). I got terrible pain in my ribs, from quite early on, and I just couldn't do anything about it, my midwife just said it was one of the side affects of pregnancy and to take a paracetamol if it got to bad. Really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Oh, poor you My physio friend says you can try the largest size of tubigrip, all the way round your bump and back as a support - that's what she uses on dinky girls. Do see someone, you've got a way to go yet, and you can't spend it in pain. Re the hot shower, as long as it's on your back and you're not raising your body temperature for an extended period of time, bubs should be fine. I'm a great believer in trusting my body to tell me when I'm doing something wrong. It let me know when it was time to stop cycling (four weeks ago) and when it's time to stop hauling furniture around and have a rest and I trust it to tell me if I'm too hot or not eating enough. I am a sturdy 5'2" (never been a size 6 in my life!) and have a fortunately positioned baby, so haven't had any back ache really, although am a bit crippled with carpal tunnel at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I had quite a bit of pain with my last child and walked really badly (I wasn't even big). It was to do with ligaments etc, I went to see my osteopath and she just did a bit of gentle manipulation/massage and put it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I too found the osteopath a life saver, DD was spine to spine with me and was extremely uncomfortable . How did you get on with the AN class? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Osteopath all the way! I love my osteopath - he is brilliant and kept me on my feet throughout my pregnancy JenJen get yourself a birthing ball - I sat on mine for hours and hours throughout pregnancy and it eased all the aches & pains. You must purchase the right size for your height but i imagine a 65cm diameter one would be perfect. Dont go for the cheap sports option they just arent worth it & can just pop whereas the birthing balls will deflate slowly so you are less at risk if it does have a puncture. I spent about 17 pounds on mine and it was worth every penny. Good luck with it all you are doing all the right things with massage, hot water bottles etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Get yourself referred. I had spd during my pregnancies mainly sij pain and its not worth suffering in silence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooties Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 if you try everything thats been suggested and still end up suffering, please give the Alexander Technique a go. All aspects of my life had been affected by my bad back (non pregnancy related) and I tried all sorts, physio, TENS, accupuncture, steriod injections etc - none of which had a lasting effect. The Alexander Technique now controls my back condition rather than it controlling me. Its also supposed to be great for pregnancy aches and pains and helpful during childbirth. Alexander Technique works by helping you to become aware of harmful postural habits that can lead to pain. You will be taught how to identify and eliminate muscular and mental habits of tension. I can't recommend it enough. And its so simple! If anyone is interested, please google it or pm me - I don't want to bore you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 thank you for all the replies. the class was good for prevention but didnt have any new advice if you are already suffering though we were shown how to sit properly, seems we all have a bit of poor posture and I was told that gently rocking would help to loosen off the muscles in my back as they are very tight. 3 of us asked about support belt but were told they dont like to give them out unless you are referred by your GP as some people dont find they help anyway, she suggested we go to mothercare and buy them, I told her I had tried but they all start at medium size... we were all given a tubigrip though and I am finding it is helping a bit which is great. I will keep looking for a support belt in a small size online. I have got an appointment with my GP next Tuesday so maybe he will refer me I am also going to see where I can get a birthing ball from, I am currently sitting on a square bean bag which does help but perhaps I could do the rocking exercised the physio mentioned on a birthing ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I was given a belt with DS, and found it so very uncomfortable that the backache was almost easier to bear, that's just my experience of the support belt. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Jen Jen try these places for a birthing ball http://www.birthease.co.uk/birthease_shop/Birth-Birthing-Ball.shtml http://www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk/details3.asp?ProductID=186&name=labour-and-birth-ball.htm Hope you find some relief soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 thanks for the links, I got a free kellogs sports ball so am going to try sitting on that and if it helps at all I am going to order one of the proper birthing balls as my kellogs one is prob too big and doesnt have the anti burst function that the ones in the links do, also noticed they do support underwear that should fit me so could help if I cannot find some sort of belt. Zach is kicking me really hard just now bless him, letting me know why I am going through all this and reminding me it will all be worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
