No worries, I can't emphasise icing enough. I used it about five times in total in my last pregnancy convinced that it didn't make any difference. That was only because the pain had gotten so bad that one lots of ice wasn't going to make any difference. Whereas in this pregnancy, if I've overdone it (we've just moved house so you can imagine how much bending to unpack boxes I've been doing) then I just whack icepacks on and lie down once DD is in bed for three hours straight (changing them when they've cooled down). Then I'm as good as new in the morning.

So please, please, please, keep icing until you feel the pain subside. It may take more than one or two to feel a difference BUT once the pain subsides you'll only need to do it 1-3 times per day after that (unless you've overdone the walking, bending, lifting).

The belt's also absolutely essential for me. Without that, I'm in pain after a few steps (apparently my joints are hypermobile).