Ugh, lower back pain at 15 wks, what to do??

[Qbear'smama]

I am 15 wks 3 days and for the last weeks or so, I have had lower back pain when sitting, driving or lying on my back. It feels "stiff" like when I bend at the waist after sitting, it's sore. I did not have this with my last pregnancy and am getting a little worried that if I am in discomfort this early, what the heck is going to happen the further along I get?? I am trying to sort out a treatment plan but I have no experience with back pain, different people have suggested an osteopath, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic...anyone have success with a particular treatment they can recommend? Ow, ow!! Thanks!!

[MaerynPearl]

Chiro should be your first stop.

I have SPD and chiro is my #1 help.

[luckiest]

I second the chiro suggestion. I started having the same pain right around the same time, and my midwife suggested a chiro, but I was able to ward it off by changing how I sleep -- I was a back sleeper, and I started making myself side sleep with a pillow between my legs (and a pillow behind my back to keep me from rolling onto my back). It made a HUGE difference almost immediately.

For me the pain was, like you said, in my low back and worst when I bent from the hip. It would almost take my breath away sometimes. My midwife told me it was the SI joints in my pelvis -- normally they don't move much at all, but all those lovely hormones loosen everything up and they get super sore. You may know all this, but it was news to me

Hope you find something that helps! Oh, and if you go to a chiro, definitely go to one who works with pregnant women a lot, preferably one who states it as a specialty.

[aloneinid]

I have had this in my first and current pregnancies. Chiro helped me some, but I haven't even bothered going this time. It IS due to your SI joint being loosened up because of pregnancy hormones (that's why it can happen so early) and really is annoying and painful. I am just coping with it since it goes away after birth. You will survive your pregnancy and likely won't be incapacitated. I think I started the pregnancy waddle earlier than most women due to it, but I still function on a day to day basis. I am sure not to lean back on hard chair or surface and roll over VERY slowly in bed.

Like PP said, make sure the chiro you go to specializes in pregnant women.

[Qbear'smama]

Yup, pregnancy waddle here, too! I have never been to a chiro, but I will consider it if things keep up this way. I also think I need to work on my posture, slouching in chairs is a big culprit and I do it all the time without realizing it. Thanks, ladies!

[porcelina]

I also got this for the first time and very early during this pregnancy -- as early as about 8 weeks. I had shooting pain sometimes, especially when bending over for something. It was really bad! I wanted chiro to help with positioning anyway, and my insurance covers it if I get a referral. So, I went to the doc, and she confirmed that it was indeed the SI joint (strangely, I only had it on one side). I got the referral to chiro, and started going around 20 weeks. It has helped a lot with the pain. I still get a bit from time to time, I won't lie, but it is nothing like that shooting pain I had before in the beginning. I'm also hoping that having my pelvis open and aligned with help with baby's position!

But, if you can't do chiro, remember the tips about low back pain in general -- try not to slouch, don't bend over from the waist down, avoid heavy lifting, try to strengthen your back little by little with weights at a gym if you can, try different sleeping positions, etc.

Good luck!