Backache - how would you describe it?

I know that there's probably been thousands of discussions on backache :doh:, but I'm wondering how you would describe yours - is it like period pain, stretching pain, pulling pain, throbbing pain etc etc?

I'm 18 weeks, and today (for the first time) I've got a heatpack on, but the aching is a little higher up than normal - more like it's just below the back of the base of my ribcage or something and it's kinda like a heavy feeling - anyone else experienced this?

To be honest if I had back pain in that particular spot that was fairly constant and not related to sitting, I'd be querying a urinary tract infection which can be serious for pregnant women.

All good - just spent a stint in hosp and had a routine test done for that ;)
The aching is not as bad when I'm moving around it's just that when Im sitting or lying down I notice it aches a little more and I had a really restless night's sleep last night...

Hi ClareBear28,

Sounds very normal, i too have had back pain, sometimes it's worse sitting down/lying down and sometimes it s so bad Im not sure if its cramps or stretching. It's actually my hip joints and my midwife has suggested seeing a physio to get some light excercises. They also teach you how to get out of bed properly, how to lye in bed, getting in and out of the car etc etc. I too have had nights that i haven't slept well, the maternity/body pillow has helped. Best of luck, sounds all fine. I have also had a UTI and it was completley different, more burning than aching.

Tofbaby
(17 weeks)

Oh Clare, hope everything is ok :hug:

I wonder if your backache is caused from the position bubby is lying in...might sound silly but surely it could be posssible. Hope your feeling better soon hun!

Thanks Westy - applying the heatpack and sitting up nice and straight is quite comfortable actually, so I'm pretty sure that there's a fair bit of stretching occurring that's causing the aching, nothing too sinister I hope! I'm going to have a nice warm shower shortly then I'm going to curl-up (well - sit up straight) and read a book I think while my fiance organises some dinner :)

That sounds like a great idea Clare...a nice warm shower should give you a bit of relief!

I have back issues. I fell off a horse when I was 8 flat onto my back. I also have fairly large BBs for my stature. I often get a muscluar ache around the bottom of my ribs, which is BB related. Maybe see an osteopath qualified to work on you during pregnancy as that area takes a lot of the strain from your centre of gravity changing.

HUgs hun, backache is awful in pregnancy, I haven`t had too much backache this pregnancy but it might be because I go to a chiropractor on a regular basis, hope it eases up for you

Oh No ClareBear I can totally sympathise with you a few years ago I fell down a flight of stairs and as a result a disc is slightly out of place, so I used to suffer with back pain quite severley on a regular basis, once I found out I was pregnant it flarred up again, I was diagnosed with sciatica when I was 6 wks pregnant. I saw a chiro and a physio who did nothing then luckily my husband had a client who recommended a osteo and she has been wonderful, I started my maternity leave about 7 mnths earlier than I thought but she has been great. Maybe try some Arnica cream (my obgyn assures me it is perfectly safe in pregnancy)you might have some internal bone bruising which apparently is quite common after back strain. Trust me it is really good and it does work. I also take vitamin D tablets as recommended by my obgyn but the cream really is good if you can get some from the chemist.

All the best

xoxo

Childondaway

DP tells me that I have no idea what real back ache is (but i'll give him that as he had a petruding disc in his lower back that caused him the most immense pain for 7mths before we spent 15K on the surgery! It actually sent himinto severe depression because he couldnt do anything.

For me the back ache that I have felt in pregnancy is like the feeling of carrying a hiking pack around all day.

Clare, do you know how bub is positioned? Westy might be on to something, my first bub was posterior (his spine against my spine), which put quite a bit of pressure on my back. Might be worth seeing what your midwife/ob thinks next checkup. If that's the case, leaning forward might help?

Hope you can continue to find some relief.

Your're welcome!

Thanks everyone, today my back feels relatively 'normal' - if there is such a thing! I slept with a pillow under my kness last night, not sure if that helped, but at least today I have some relief - considering I am at work I'm glad it's not too bad!