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QUESTION:
I know that lower back pain is common and is to be expected, but I have
experienced upper back pain, under my shoulder blades...a very sharp
pain that makes every movement painful. I wound up staying home from
work (bedrest) and used a heating pad to relieve the discomfort. The
pain went away after 36 hours of off/on spasms.
I think I have gained too much weight (20 lbs so far), I wonder if that
could be part of the problem, or it could be just muscles stretching to
accomodate the baby. I wonder if this is likely to happen again?
Has anyone else experienced "upper" back spasms this early in their pg?
ANSWER:
This sounds an awful lot like the pain that large-breasted women get.
If your bra size has grown a couple of cup sizes, your back muscles may
not be used to providing that much support, and they are painful. Make
extra-sure that you have a good, supportive bra. You can sacrifice
looks for function, at this point. If possible, go to a store where
they specialize in foundation garments. (Actually, I'd suggest this for
any woman who buys a bra) Yes, they are a tad more expensive but it
will pay off in the long run because you will have learned how to buy a
bra with a good and proper fit.
Try asking your doctor if you can take Advil for the pain, since it's
also an anti-inflammatory.
I'm 31w5d and have had upper back pain, off and on, for quite
some time. I've attributed it to my ribs expanding for the baby,
because sometimes the pain starts in my upper back (rib area) and
then wraps around the left side to the front of my rib area.
It can be very painful and frustrating, and sometimes I feel like
crying when it happens.
What helps me to alleviate the pain is: Getting on hands and
knees and doing some pelvic rocking, or I stand up and, while
leaning over, put my hands on my desk (at work) and let the
weight of the baby hang down--both of these things take the
weight of the baby off my back and temporarily relieves the pain.
I'm pretty sure that you *can't* take Advil. I believe the only safe pain
reliever you can take while pregnant is Tylenol. Please don't take Advil
without checking on this!!! I missed most of this thread. I've had my back muscles go into spasm while
pregnant, which is no fun at all. Non-medicine treatments included
(frequent) trips to the chiropractor to keep the spine aligned, and
alternating cold and heat pads (20 min cold to reduce inflammation, 20 min
heat to relax muscles, repeat as often as every hour if desired).
Anti-inflammatories are *not* a good idea, but Tylenol is fine.
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