Seeking Advice - San Jose, CA

With this pregnancy (my 2nd), I've had mild back pain almost since the moment I found out I was pregnant! Exercise has helped immensely! Just in the past couple of weeks, I've been having a lot of tailbone pain, and I have to sit and rest when I feel it because it's usually a sign that I've been doing too much.

As for the stomach cramping, is it your actual stomach like you're nauseous? Or is it more abdominal cramping like you feel before your period? I had stomach cramping in the beginning with this baby because I was so nauseous all the time, and I've had abdominal cramping off and on, especially now that the baby's getting bigger and my tummy's getting bigger.

Sounds normal, but I second talking to your OB if you're really concerned about it :)

I also want to let you know about a great breastfeeding resource called Nursing Mothers Counsel. If you're planning to breastfeed, we're a non-profit group of peer counselors who provide one-on-one support and information to breastfeeding moms at all stages, prenatal through toddler. You can visit our website at http://www.nursingmothers.org, attend one of our breastfeeding classes at Lullaby Lane or Mills Medical Center in San Mateo, and/or call our "hotline" at (650) 327-MILK. Sometimes all breastfeeding moms need is a little support! Have a great day!

Are you drinking lots of water? You are supposed to drink about 96 oz of water when you are pg so that you can keep the amniotic fluid nice and clean and your blood flow smooth. If your urine is any darker than really weak lemonade, you aren't gettting enough water.

T.

Hi R.,

I had back pains starting in my 2nd trimester until the end of the pregnancy. As the baby gets bigger, more pressure is placed on your lower back. I went to a chiropractor throughout my pregnancy. He was great in helping me with my lower back pains. His name is Dr. Anthony Chau. He is located in the Richmond district in San Francisco. Congrats on your 4th baby!

I had cramps and back ache my full pregnancy. I just made sure my doctor was aware of it. He said that happens to some expectant mommies.

Actually the cramping is how I found out I was pregnant. I took a home test because I had cramps that felt like period cramps but no period. Then I took a second and a third home test. Then went to see my doctor who told me that I needed to get an OB. As I said that cramping never stopped. I drank lots of water and did every thing my doctor told me to do. Becca was born absolutely perfect. :)

R.,

During the 2nd trimester of my 2nd pregnancy I experienced several levels of back pain. I believed the baby was under my rib cage half the time and the other half had at least a foot or even an entire leg in my back. To resolve this, I would try to stretch, twist and turn to make her move from that position and this eased the discomfort. When my back pain grew in intensity, prinarily the last trimester for me, I would sit on my excercise ball. The ball used for ab crunches and for helping with posture. It worked VERY well for me. Some nights when sleep was difficult to come by do to all my discomforts and back painwas one of them, I would sit on the ball and my back pain would literally melt away. I never experienced stomach cramping. I would suggest speaking to your OB/GYN about that.
- T.

I had the mild back ache with both of my pregnancies, but ifyou are concerned with the cramping it can't hurt to call your OB. Better safe than sorry, Right!?

Hope that helps,
C.

Helping moms work from home
www.AtHome4MyGirls.com

adding to the advice to call your obgyn AND drinking water - try doing some easy pre-natal yoga or a beginners class - does wonders for my back and posture, Also - some crunches on a exercise ball will tone your abs so they can support your belly better & helps your spine too). I get odd little pinchy cramps once in a while - especially if I stand up too fast - they seem to be going away - happened ALL the time in the 1st trimester. Be careful in this hot weather - I get worn out if I'm in the heat for too long.
Glad to hear your baby is o.k.!!

The backache is very normal your entire pregnancy. The only time I had cramping was when I was doing too much and not resting enough.

I felt like that when I was overdoing it and not getting enough fluids. The cramps can be your abs no longer able to support your growing tummy :-) Make sure you're drinking plenty of water and take it easy.

Hope this helps.

T.

Any chance you had a C-section with the last one? I cramped through most of my second because of stretching scar-tissue.
But I agree, if you're at all concerned, call your OB. No question is a dumb question.