[Amberjoe09]

M 28 weeks pregnant,and having a girl. I have been having bad back pain to the point sometimes I can't walk. What should I do?

[DoulaLC]

Hi Amberjoe09,

Is this a constant pain or does it come and go? Do you feel it more when you are moving about, such as getting out of bed? Is it just your back or does it include your hips or pelvic area? Have you found anything that seems to relieve it... certain positions, some warmth, for example?

Back pain in pregnancy can be pretty common. Often it is more of an annoyance than a medical concern.

If it is fairly constant, it may be due to sciatic nerve pain. If you feel it more when moving about, it may be symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).

If it seems to come and go, with a pattern to it, check with your midwife or doctor as sometimes contractions will start that way. You can contact them regardless if it causes you concern.

A few things you could try:

* a pregnancy band for support
* warmth applied to the area
* ice pack to the area
* try sitting and rocking side to side and back and forth on a birth ball (just a regular exercise or yoga ball)
* pelvic rocks... while standing or on hands and knees, rocking lower pelvis forward like you are tucking in your bottom or flattening the small of your back
* if you have a straight back chair without arms on it... turn chair around and sit facing the back while leaning slightly forward with a pillow in front to rest on
* gentle stretching of your back muscles
* see a chiropractor
* have partner or friend apply counter pressure... they press firmly with heel of hands on either side of your back bone at the area of the discomfort using a steady pressure. This can also be used in conjunction with warmth, such as a towel warmed in the dryer a bit or better yet, a rice sock. Fill a sock with uncooked rice, heat slightly in microwave so that it is not too hot. This will retain heat for a fair amount of time.
* if you have access to a pool that is heated, swimming can sometimes help