Pregnant with a Desk Job

[sjdragonfly]

I'm about 19 weeks pregnant and for the past week my back has been absolutely killing me at work. I work at a desk job so I have to sit in my chair for most of the day. When I stand up, I immediately feel better so I've been trying to get up about once an hour or so even if it's just a walk to the washroom or something. Even so, as soon as I sit down again my back feels awful again. It's just this stupid chair at work. When I'm sitting on the couch at home, I'm fine.

I've got my sweater folded up and put behind me right now to support my lower back a bit, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I'm wondering if anyone might have any suggestions on things I can do to alleviate this lower back pain a bit. I can't exactly get a new chair because they're all the same here at work. This is just a contract job, anyway, so once I leave at the end of June, I likely won't be coming back. 

[eirual]

Can you set up a standing work station? Or bring in an exercise ball to replace the chair?

[sjdragonfly]

I can't do the standing desk thing because I'd have to buy it and assemble it myself. I'm only going to be here until the end of June and then I'm taking a considerable amount of time off (yay Canada for having awesome parental leave!) so I don't really want to go through that expense for something that will only get used for 4 more months. 

The ball is a great idea, though. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that. DP has one at home that he sits on all of the time. I bet I could pick one up somewhere for not too much to bring to work.

[katt]

The ball is a great idea, they even make chair frames if you want something so the ball won't roll away when you're gone.

They also make an inflatable disk that you can set on your chair that mimics the effects of the ball.

http://www.therapro.com/Disc-O-Sit-and-Disc-O-Sit-Jr-P4224.aspx

There are several companies that make them or something similar.  Ask your Chiro if he/she can get you a good deal on one, or just cruise Amazon.