Backache

S.,

Know anyone with a pool? My wife had the same issue with our twins, and the best relief was time in the pool. Not swimming or exercising, but just floating upright, with one of those floating noodles (1 or 2, under the arm, and either around the back or front, just to help you float). It took the pressure off of her spine, yet allowed her to be vertical, so not putting pressure anywhere else.

Good luck!

I have boy and girl twins who are now 6 years old. They were 7'1" and 7'4" when thet were born so needless to say I got big early and was huge throughout all of my pregnancy. I found out I was having twins at my very first doctor's visit at 8 weeks. The doctor scared me so bad by telling me I would likely have worse back pains, worse vericose veins, worse...(everything) than a woman carrying a single baby and that it would also be likely that I would be on bed rest for a part of my pregnancy. Well, that was the best motivator for me. The thought of being on bed rest was too much. So, I read so many books, exercised, did everything I could to stay super healthy. One of the best things I bought was a yoga video for pregnancy. I highly recommend it. It was an invaluable tool. I do not remember the one I had (I gave it to a pregnant friend after my kids were born). The was a month or two during my pregnancy where I was having lover back aches throughout the day (I was working in a very busy photography studio). There was a pose I would do that would give me instant relief. As soon as I felt the achiness coming on (at work or otherwise) I would do this pose. I will try to describe it. You stand with your back against the wall, feet shoulder width apart, hands in prayer position. Begin sliding your back down the wall and get your but as close to the floor as you can while pushing the small of your back to the wall. At this point your knees will be spread apart and your elbows will be resting on your knees helping to help push your knees further out while your hands are in prayer position (this is just where the palms of your hands are flat against each other). Just hold this for a minute or so. I hope it works for you as it did for me. I do highly recommend getting a good yoga for pregnancy video. Watch it a few times and just take what works for you from it. Good Luck! Enjoy your pregnancy!

I didn't read the other responses, so I apologize if I'm duplicating advice. For me, the only thing that really helped with my backaches during pregnancy was prenatal yoga. Massages only offered temporary relief. I took pregnancy yoga at the St. Paul Yoga Center (http://www.stpaulyogacenter.com/) with Bonne. I cannot say enough about Bonne. She was just great. She specifically tailors the class for pregnant women and even according to how far along you are in your pregnancy. If there is anything specifically bothering you (e.g., backache or swollen feet), she include stretches/movements to address those problems. Good luck!

Chiropractic care is a very good idea.
Additionally, pelvic tilts will help. (Like Cat Cow in yoga, but with the Cat omitted in favor of a flat back.)

The poster who said backache can be a sign of labor is correct, so just be aware of that. If it seems to be coming and going pay attention and get checked out. The first half of my labor was mostly just a backache, which leads me to my final point: baby's position. Check out spinning babies at http://spinningbabies.com/index.php?option=com_content&am...

My first thought is to get up, move around, and do some stretches. I have a pregancy yoga DVD you can have if you send me a message. I have had lots of back problems and injuries, and have done the chiropractor, physical therapy, massage, yoga, and worked with a personal trainer. These are all very helpful, but the least expensive and yet very effective option is to do some yoga. You'll feel better immediately. You can also try sitting on an excercise ball when you can. It seems strange, but it's very good for your low back and hips.

Massage helps too. The Sister Rosalind massage schools are sometimes looking for pregnant women to come for free massages provided by students learning. They are well supervised and are being trained to give safe massages during pregnancy. It was wonderful when I was pregnant. http://www.sisterrosalind.org/

I used to put a little hard pillow against my lower back (mine was a blow-up I bought at Target).

I haven't read any other posts, but I would recommend you see a chiropractor THROUGHOUT your entire pregnancy...it was god sent for me...

There are so many things they can do to make your pregnancy more comfortable and enjoyable. Getting consistent treatments can also make your labor and delivery much more bearable, can eliminate low back pain as well...I delivered both my boys in less than 10 minutes, the second was unbelievably quick ...I give all the credit to my chiropractor. I am not saying however that if you go to a chiropractor you won't have pain during labor and delivery....

Two things helped me -

1) a small, thin pillow that I put between my knees while I slept on my side (or I'd rest the top leg on a regular-sized pillow in front of the bottom leg). This seemed to relieve the pressure on my back during the night.

2) Exercise! I walked a lot, but the thing that made a night-and-day difference on both my back and hip pain was workout videos. I did the Buns of Steel Pregnancy workout and the Kathy Smith Pregnancy workout. They're both pretty cheesy, but I found them to really work. I only did a little at a time (the Kathy Smith one is broken into small segments, the Buns of Steel one you sort of have to break up yourself).

There is also a "belly band" you might want to look into - I didn't use it myself, but I've heard other people liked it.

Amazon links for the videos:
http://www.amazon.com/Buns-Steel-Pregnancy-Post-Pregnancy...

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Kathy-Smith-Pregnancy-Worko...

You can find used copies very cheap - if you're willing to use a videotape, you can find them practically for free.

Backaches can be a sign of contractions. Check it out with your doc. I bought a support pillow at Office Depot for my chair at work. It helped me alot.

My back hurt, too, when I was pregnant. I took my exercise ball (or a really big kids ball) and put it on the floor in front of me. I then knelt down and put my upper body on the ball and leaned on it. It took the pressure off my lower back and really helped. I learned that in our birth class. A good sitting-up back rub by your significant other really helps, too!!

Two words . . . Lumbar Support. I have this problem too its from the baby being so far upfront and pulling your spine forward to recenter your gravity. You can do it cheap by just rolling up a towel and putting it behind your lower back. You can also find lumbar supports at health stores or a chiropractic office. I would think you could buy one of those car seat cover things like in the automotive dept. at Walmart that has a lumbar support. Another helpful hint take half hour breaks and lay on your side preferably your left with pillow between your knees and under your belly to take the pressure off your back completely. Hope this helps!

I'm not pregnant and I need that support. I use a small, firm pillow behind my back at the computer and in the car. I would also say to take frequent breaks and stretch.

I had the same feelings with both of my pregnancies - in the car, I would tip the seat forward so I would have room for my belly above my legs and keep my back strait... I did this the best I could at the computer but didn't have a very accommodating chair. I eventually resorted to sitting on a large exercise ball (but I work at home, so I could do this - I don't know how feasible this would be in an office setting if that's your situation)

I also had a wonderful OB who prescribed some prenatal physical therapy for me which was HEAVEN! (They had someone in office) My insurance covered it after lengthly forms making sure I wasn't in an accident and that, yes, they needed to pay for it - which they did. I trusted her b/c she was trained specifically and worked primarily with pregnant women. She used a combination of chiropractic-like adjustments, stretches/exersises, and low-frequency ultrasound therapy. It was amazing!!! It "wouldn't hurt" to ask your doctor about possibly going this route, if available. (It does "hurt" if you don't, right??) :)

Best of luck! And remember that the pain you're in is because your baby is growing and healthy - most of all, that's what helped me cope with the pains of pregnancy.