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Tinkrock
Supporter
Username: Tinkrock
Post Number: 105
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:34 am: | 
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Help! I am 5.5 months pregnant and yesterday my back started hurting very low on the left side, and the pain has steadily worsened until I am at the point where I am literally staggering instead of walking. I put in a call to my doctor, and am waiting to hear back (won't hold my breath). Has anyone else had experience with something like this? It doesn't sound like sciatica; it's not in my butt or legs at all, just above. And it HURTS. Anyone? |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 992
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Why are you trying to walk? Get back into bed with an extension chord for your laptop and all the pillows you can find (stuff under your knees and around your baby if you lay on your side) and stay there until the doctor calls back.
Post if you need someone there right away. Other than that, rest until you get medical attention. |
Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 367
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:08 pm: |
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Were you shoveling or doing something physical that you don't ordinarily do. Using some ice will take down any inflammation if it is lower back spasms or sciatica. Try that while you stay off your feet - no more that 20 minutes at a time. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1117
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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Definitely stay off of your feet, and do not lift anything. Ice helps. Heat does not.
Babies have a funny way of adjusting themselves and sitting on previously undiscovered nerves.
Try to lie on your side with one knee tucked up and your arms stretched out above you (but flat on the bed). This is called the alligator pose (I think); it's a yoga pose that helped my back (in the very same spot) immensely. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 993
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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Hi Tinkrock - hopefully by not posting that means you are resting comfortably in bed.
I contacted the Doulamomma Hotline (she's unable to post just now) and Doulamomma says:
She should contact her care provider - could be a kidney issue. She can call me as well - [I p/l'd you the number]. Meantime, hydration, rest. |
Tinkrock
Supporter
Username: Tinkrock
Post Number: 106
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 2:56 pm: |
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Thank you all for responding! Fortunately, my husband stayed home from work today to take care of our 1 year old,which is completely out of the question for me. I didn't do anything laborious/unusual, didn't wake up with it, don't even remember when I noticed it, but it started pretty mild...I just weeble-wobbled a bit more when I walked, but it just kept getting worse, til I was limping and then kind of lurching/staggering. I've been staying off my feet today, but, having to get up from time to time, it's still as bad as ever.
Finally heard from my ob-gyn, who said more or less what I expected, that's there's not much to do except take tylenol and rest and if it gets worse over the next few days, head over to the PET unit at the hospital for an evaluation.
Your concern is especially kind, las, thank you. My doc was asking a lot of kidney related questions and I don't think it's that. Hopefully just some fluke that will clear itself up! |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 4892
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 3:01 pm: |
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tink--why don't you go and get a massage? It could be your siatica (sorry I know that isn't spelled right) I had similar problems when I was pregnant and massages were such a relief. Many massage therapists will even take insurance for that when approved by your doctor.
Check out Anthony Garubo, they offer pregnancy massages or Dieci in Livingston. |
Greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 746
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 3:02 pm: |
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I had kidney infections during both of my pregnancies. The pain was in my low back. I had no other symptoms. The back pain was so severe that walking was extremely difficult. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3065
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 3:06 pm: |
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Just one of the many fun things you might expect to happen during pregnancy. No explanation, sometimes no relief--aside from giving birth, that is.
Hope you're feeling better soon. Nice to have hubby home so you can have a chance to rest.
FWIW, my new favorite thing is accupuncture. I've been doing it for my back for the last few weeks and really like it. I don't know what the ramifications would be for a pregnant lady, but it certainly seems like it would be harmless and probably less "invasive" than the tylenol. Doulamomma would probably be better able to comment. I know she sends some of her clients for accupuncture. |
hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 380
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 3:22 pm: |
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Definitely up your fluid intake. I had kidney stones at 5 mo w/my first pregnancy and that's how it started.
I had kidney infection w/my 2nd and it also started out that way.
Here's hoping it's just a muscle spasm! |
summerbabe
Citizen
Username: Summerbabe
Post Number: 58
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 4:47 pm: |
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Tinkrock, you're not alone!
I'm also pregnant (22 weeks) and I've had bouts of nearly debilitating lower back pain, too (mostly in the last week). I feel like mine could be related to how I sleep. I'm not a side sleeper, and I've been trying to retrain myself, but my back just isn't supported the same way as when I normally sleep on my back. If I accidentally roll onto my back, I'm happy and can rest, but I worry about the baby and my psiatic nerve (I also don't think I spelled it correctly), so I roll right back and don't get very much sleep. I'm going to try the prenatal massage thing in the next week or two. My doctor recommended one highly.
Anyway, this kidney infection stuff has me concerned. Greeneyes and Hismom, do you know if a kidney infection can be discovered through the normal urine test they give you at all prenatal checkups? Because those are always good for me, but they may only be checking for one or two things. Thanks for any info.
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7012
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:38 pm: |
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Bed rest is very important. Try to find the position that is most comfortable for you and lie that way for as long as you need to. Simple easy stretches can't hurt. Just move very gradually and stop immediately if the pain increases. One easy exercise you can do is to lie on your side in a fetal position and gradually role over so you are lying on your back with your feet flat on the bed and your knees bent. Having a towel under you helps to raise your lower back slightly and really does provide some relief. Try lying like that for a minute or two then roll back into the fetal position, lying on your other side for as long as needed and repeat. I wouldn't try more than a few repeatitions at a time but it might help and is unlikely to hurt.
Drinking plenty of water is a good idea if there is the slightest possibility that this is kidney related.
Do keep in touch with your doctor and try to see your doctor if the pain persists or gets any worse.
I hope you are already feeling better or at the very least will feel better soon.
Let us know how you are doing. |
Greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 747
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 6:33 pm: |
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summerbabe,
A kidney infection can be diagnosed with a simple urine test. The bacterial levels are really high. I had no other symptoms with either infection other than back pain. There was no painful or frequent urination. Kidney infection back pain is unique, it doesn't feel like anything else. The pain will worsen steadily over a short period of time. The kidney infection walk tells alot. There's a certain posture that goes along with it.
Hismom- Kidney stones during a pregnancy. You poor poor thing. I'm so sorry. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1062
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 8:32 pm: |
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summer,
your body will let you know when it's no longer safe to be on your back - you'll feel weird, even in sleep, so should you roll on your back or on your belly, you & your baby should be fine. Some people are very sensitive to being on their back in pregnancy & others not so much...it's great to try to be in the right position, but quality rest whenever you can get it is important too. As your baby grows the weight will be too much and you'll most likely naturally feel best on your side.
During the day there are positions you can focus on to best help your baby be in a great position too... |
mimi
Citizen
Username: Mimi
Post Number: 209
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 8:56 pm: |
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congratulations! and i'm so sorry to hear about your back pain. hopefully, the baby will shift and this will pass.
a couple of leads:
i just started my 39th week and i've been using lynda fox of green heart on millburn ave at 973-224-0660 for certified prenatal massage. every week for the last month or so and highly recommend her. perhaps she could bring you some relief?
i also recommend prenatal yoga (i take at shakti on springfield--www.shaktinj.com). perhaps strengthening and stretching your back might help?
i've also done accupuncture and chiropractic adjustments. but as we just moved from the city last summer, and i haven't found anyone that i trust out here, i've still been using my manhattan docs. feel free to pm me if you want the info.
good luck. |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 205
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 10:08 pm: |
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There really should be a section for pregnancy and new parents. Doulamama could be to it what Master Plvmber is to Home Fix It.
All in favor say, "Shut up J.B., you'll never be pregnant."
J.B. |
sowalk
Citizen
Username: Sowalk
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 7:43 am: |
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Diane Rose of Natural Balance also does prenatal massage. She is on Maplewood Ave. She has pillows that allow you to lie on your belly instead of on your side. I am 37 weeks and still find it comfortable.
As for the back pain, I had the exact same thing this week and I ended up not being able to walk. I had to go to bed, lie on the side that didn't hurt, put a pillow between my knees and a wedge under my belly. I felt much better by the next morning. Yesterday, it all started again. Unfortunately, this is one of those pregnacy things that we don't have much control over. It happened in my first two pregnancies, but not as bad. Of course, running around after two other boys doesn't help. Meandtheboys, I am about to join you in that category!! We are about to add our third son to the mix! It's exciting and scary at the same time.
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Tinkrock
Supporter
Username: Tinkrock
Post Number: 107
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 8:02 am: |
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J.B., I think yours is a fine idea! I was thinking last night, too, that there should be an MOL new parents/parents of infants group like the new moms coffee that meets at the Dancing Goat...besides babies, we all have MOL in common, and could gossip about all the posters 
Several people, here and IRL, have opined that a chiropractor might help...I've never been to one, but am thinking of checking into it. Also the massage! Even if it doesn't help my specific problem, it'd still be lovely. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3070
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 9:29 am: |
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Congratulations sowalk, and welcome to the ranks of mom's with boys--a lot of boys! It's all good. Lots of noise and rough and tumble, lots of fun, and lots of headaches! Not a Barbie in sight!
I know right where you're at right now. Several of my friends have gone on--or are just about to--their fourth (not all boys though)! Just can't imagine GOING THERE! Every pregnancy gets worse and then you have other kids to run after.
Happy birthing! |
Onarpos
Citizen
Username: Onarpos
Post Number: 23
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 6:41 pm: |
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Happened to me w/ #1. I ended up with a herniated disk b/c I didn't do all the things these folks have recommended. I would add that once you're feeling better it's really important to strengthen your core muscles. Physical therapy is the only thing that helped me. Not sure you need PT, but I recommend daily pe1vic tilts and other core-strengthening exercises. Good luck! |
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