Back pain question

[Chezlaterre]

Hello all,

I am 19 weeks pregnant—though only very recently showing. My bump isn’t particularly big so I would be surprised if this was bump-related. Yesterday I went to put some washing on the radiator and while bending over to do so I had the most horrendous stab of pain in my lower back. I was under the impression that back pain during pregnancy was more of a cumulative thing and less of a “fine one minute then agony” thing. the pain wasn’t just gone after the stabbing sensation but is lingering. Has anyone else had this experience? Is it pregnancy-related or just very bad timing? Of course I googled back pain and pregnancy and now I’m worried something has gone wrong—it happened about 3 hours after hearing our baby’s heart beat for the first time. I’m just not sure whether I need to see a GP or just wait it out, but between the pain and the fear I thought I’d ask you all if you’d been through this or had advice.

[Prosopon]

I've had different types of back pain for most of my pregnancy. At around 18-20 weeks I kept getting intense pain on one side of my back that came on suddenly. I ended up going to out of hours at one point but the doctor I saw wasn't concerned. My midwife thought it might be to do with the baby getting into an awkward position. I don't get that anymore, thankfully.

Now I just get a sore, stiff feeling which I think is related to the extra weight. Also, pregnancy hormones loosen our ligaments in preparation for birth, and this can cause aches and pains.

You should definitely speak to your midwife or gp though if you are feeling concerned. Hopefully they can check you over and provide reassurance.

[Chezlaterre in reply to Prosopon]

Thanks Prosopon. I do think it had to do with the softening ligaments but it took me by such surprise!

[Hidden]

Was it a sudden sharp stabbing pain? Did it travel through your bum cheek and or down the back of your leg? If so it could be sciatica.

Although you’re not showing much you’re still holding more weight than prebirth and so carrying yourself differently; the cumulative effect of that over 20 weeks could take its toll and then you just happen to bend the wrong way 🤷🏻‍♀️

Baby could also be pressing on a nerve somehow. I had horrible sciatica towards the end of my pregnancy and it eased within minutes of my waters breaking, I think just the added internal pressure was causing me problems

[Chezlaterre in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think it was probably just me bending over funny as it's feeling much better. It was largely concentrated in my lower back. I have actually lost 2kg since getting pregnant, but I suppose the distribution is changing--so unless it gets worse again I will just assume you're correct and that I knocked it a bit in a funny clothes-hanging/dog-dodging manoeuvre!

[Hidden in reply to Chezlaterre]

Ah the old dog dodge! They do like to challenge your reactions 😂 Take the back pain as a warning sign to take things steady (and an excuse to make other people bend and stretch for you 😉)

[hannabelle]

Hi, it could still be the baby. it is worth having a scan and i am sure it i completely natural to have aches and pains. Maybe if you ask your mate nicely he might find a way to make you feel a bo better. Congrats by the way.