31 Weeks with Hip and Back Pain

1- yoga! yoga! yoga! 2- a good holistic chiropractor experienced with pregnancy. if you are in or near santa monica, i highly recommend Dr. Ashkan Jalili with the Santa Monica Wellness Group ###-###-####). he also specializes in pediatric chiropractic. helped my one year old son. and he and his wife have a new baby under one year old. 3- walk as much as you can
Good Luck and BE Well!!

I found pre-natal Yoga to save my life with my 3rd preg. I had trouble with my first and my second was horrible for my back. I did Yoga through the entire preg. with my 3rd and felt great. The stretching does wonders.

Hi,

I know exactly how you feel. My 1st pregnancy I was fine, by the time the 2nd and 3rd child I got prenatal massages once every two weeks that seemed to help me with my discomfort.

Good Luck!

what does you OB say? Try sleeping with a small decorative size pillow between your knees and sleep on your good side . Or on your back with the pillow under your knees. I had this problem with my second baby and 9 years later I still sleep better that way. good luck P.

i too, am 31 weeks and due in april and i can tell you that the BEST thing for any aches and pains, but mostly hips and back, is prenatal yoga. plus it helps your body prepare for labor. i have had back problems my entire adult life due to a car accident, and i was really worried about it being pregnant but i haven't had one day of pain because of yoga. i only go twice a week, too, so you don't have to do it all the time.

good luck!

Go see a chiropractor. I started having EXTREME pain in my hips,low back & pubic joint beginning when I was 25 weeks pregnant with twins. I ended up going to the chiro 2x per week and then 1x a week for pregnancy massage. If you have a ppo insurance, you probably have some coverage for that.

My chiropractor is in Irvine Dr. Anne ###-###-####. I love her. I credit her and my pregnancy massages (done at her office) for me going to 38 weeks.

Good luck.

Hi B.,
I remember this stage well. My midwife told me that the pain was because my body was changing and my hips were actually widening to get ready for delivering the baby. I said to her, "they'll go back, right?". I didn't get the answer I wanted. But the good news is, your body is doing what its supposed to to get ready for a healthy delivery. The pain is an unfortunate side effect. What really helped me was a lot of stretching and doing pilates. Best of luck to you!

Congradulations with your new baby! If you are still having pain, check out Icewave pain patches by Lifewave. They work in 60 seconds. No drugs. Check out the website. Lifewave.com/kherihealth

Sleep with LOTS of pillows. Find your favorite position, and have your partner place pillows all around you, under your belly, between your legs, under your head, not letting any skin touch skin. It's forming a nest that should relieve presure that pulls on your hips and back while you sleep. Try it! It's very relaxing.

I had the same problem! My doctor gave me a pregnancy back brace and it was magic! Some people it doesn't have the same effect on, but if you haven't already you may want to try it! They have them at Babies"R"Us and maybe wal-mart! Let me know if it works! I feel for you I do!

Hi B.,

Chiropractic worked wonders for me. Perhaps I am biassed because my hubby is a chiropractor, but I swear I could have never carried my two kids without him. A friend of mine is in her 36th week and is seeing him now with the same sort of problems it sounds like you're having. It's safe and drug free!

Feel free to send me a message if you want to learn more about chiropractic. There's a lot of misinformation about it out there.

Take care!

hi B., i have had 4 children and pillows were my best friends and a lot of them, under your belly between ur legs, under ur breats, everywhere, my daughter is also 31 wks. preg. and i told her the same thing it seems to be working a little for her. nothing will make it all go away but, it does help some. :) T.

Have you tried prenatal yoga? I found some of the moves very helpful. If interested, go to Yo Mama Yoga. They have classes on weekdays as well as on Sat. on the promenade and in Culver City. Unfortunately, the only relief I came across was temporary. Hang in there!

I suggest trying a 1 or 1 1/2 hour massage. If you are unable to lay on your stomach you can have a sidelaying massage for pregnant moms.This will help relive your pain, and relax you and your baby; and improve your circulation. Chiroprctic is an excellent addition for massage. If you are on Kauai I recommend Dr. Zack Young ###-###-#### for chiropractic. I do pregnancy massage, my number is ###-###-####, You can call any one of the spas on Island and I am sure you would be able to get an recommendation for a therapist that does pregnancy massage. Be sure to be drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water daily and when you have a body treatment add 3 glasses to your daily in take so you will be able to flush.
Good luck.
Blessed be
R. G.

I had a fair amount of hip pain during my pregnancy and a girlfriend who had experienced the same suggested taking one of the pads you put under your sleeping bag for camping and putting it under the sheet on your side of the bed. It really did the trick for me. Also I used a full body pillow during my pregnancy when sleeping and that helped my back a lot. Hang in there - you're almost there.

Hi B.;
I raised four children. They're 25 yrs old daughter, married and had her 18 mths old daughter,21 yrs son,16 yrs old daughter,14 yrs old son. I experienced those hip and back pain especially when you're near to your due date. Walking twice/three a day help me ease those pain. I don't know if it will work with you but it works with me even thought it is still painful, I just put my mind to love this child in my womb because this is a blessing for me. Mother has to sacrifice lot of things for the sake of our children. Good luck and drink lot of water, it will help you.

A.

What kind of shoes are you wearing? Don't go barefoot. Try brand name Birkenstocks. They may be pricy, but will pay benefits in increased energy. If your tennis shoes are old, toss them and invest in new ones - Something that laces up. Don't tell me your old ones are so 'comfortable' -- that usually means they no longer have any 'support value'.
Check out this website - www.flylady.com. Her first suggestion is to get up and get dressed all the way to shoes. Perform tasks in 15 minute intervals, resting in between. Let me know if this helps.
Nana R

Have you tried going to a chiropractor? They may be able to help re-align you before your "Big Day"! Good luck!

Hi, B.! With permission and a release from your dr. Find a pregnancy massage therapist in your area. She can help relieve the hip and back pain you are feeling! Your body is in constant change and the weight of the baby is putting pressure on your muscles and structure of your body! The therapist can definitely help you! Best wishes on your upcoming arrival!

Suzie

Congratulations on the baby!

I would suggest that you try seeing a chiropractor. I would be crippled without mine! I have a bad back to begin with, so when I got big with my two pregnancies, I was in agony. Regular adjustments (once a week or once every two weeks) really kept me limber and straightened out. If you want my chiro's info, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.

It's great that you're swimming - that was a life saver for me, too!

Good luck!

Hi B.,
Have you tried the belly belt? I'm due early June & my little guy has settled really low, putting much pressure on my pelvic bones & lower back. I was actually astonished at how much the belly belt helps when I use it. At first I thought it would just be tight & annoying, but I feel the difference & really try to be persistent about wearing it when I'm on my feet. I got mine at Babies-R-Us ($30) & they let me try it on before I bought it.
Good luck!

Ouch! That's so painful!
What helped me A LOT was a FELDENKREISS instructor who specializes in pregnant women. I met with her once a week, and for three days after the session, I could actually walk. We don't live in the area anymore, so I can't reccommend anyone specifically, but look someone up.

hi there! i found with both pregnancies that chiropractic care was worth every penny. i highly suggest trying it out, and it makes labor a bit easier too. good luck!

Hi B.,

Have you tried a full-body pillow? I remember how unconfortable my hips were late in pregnancy and I found elevating one leg while sleeping on my side helped a lot.

If your insurance covers chiropractic work (or if you can afford it on your own) try having some adjustments done. My chiropractor also had someone who did massage. Massage really helps!

H.

I am not sure where you live but I have a great pregnancy specific chiro in LA. His name is Dr. Berlin. I would give him a call and see if he can help you, he has worked wonders for me.

Sometimes women need an adjustment from a chiropractor. Just a little malalignment, along with the weight of the growing baby can cause discomfort.

Hi B.,
Hip and low back pain is caused mostly from tight hamstrings and glutes. If you would like you can call me and I will give you some good streches to do. They will be easier to explain over the phone. I am a certified personal trainer and gym owner just in case you may be concerned. I will do this for free for you. I have had 2 children and remember these symtoms. My cell # is ###-###-#### and my website is http://funtobefit.com
I hope to hear from you soon to releive some pain for you.

Hi B.,

Im recommending Chiropractic too! Same thing with me - Im 30 weeks and up until 5 weeks ago I've had really bad hip pains. Ive been seeing a Chiro most of my life, but still had this weird pain in my hips that he couldnt seem to help relieve - then over Christmas I was traveling and was able to get an adjustment by a Chiro trained in the Webster Technique - and Ive been feeling great ever since (in ONE visit!). There's a Chiro organization called ICPA that specifically trains Chiros for pediatric & maternity care (www.icpa4kids.org). I looked online and it looks like there's 3 in Santa Monica that are certified in this technique. Seriously, I couldnt recommend this highly enough.

Jeanne Lisella, D.C.
Webster Technique Certified
1752 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405 United States
Telephone: ###-###-####
******
Pamela H. Ramer, D.C.
Webster Technique Certified
201 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite A-35
Santa Monica, CA 90401 United States
Telephone: ###-###-####
*****
Lindsay N. Whitehead, D.C.
2428 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 404
Santa Monica, CA 90404 United States
Telephone: ###-###-####

I have to join in and say that chiropractic was the cure for me. For my first pregnancy, I saw the chiropractor every week for the last two months - I couldn't have slept or walked otherwise. When you're pregnant, you have all that relaxin hormone loosening stuff up, and it makes it easy to be adjusted. Also, I found that after the birth and in my second pregnancy, I had a lot less pain, which I attribute to having had chiropractic care.
Hope that helps!

Hi B.! Do you stay in the water for over 40 mins at a time when you swim? I did aqua aerobics with my last (3rd) pregnancy and it worked wonders for my back and hips...Each pregnancy I had sciatic probs. Since it is your 1st pregnancy your little body is simply stretching out...My dr. said to get the most benefits from swimming, you need to be buoyant for over 40 mins at a time. That's where I found aqua aerobics to be great b/c it's generally an hour long class and the time passes quickly. I did it 2-3x per week. I also rec'd regular massages and stretched often...especially focusing on hamstrings, hips and back.
Wishing you comfort!
N.

I used a prenatal yoga dvd by Giam. I was not a yoga person before my pregnancy, but found that I really enjoyed the stretches in all the right places.

Hi B.,
Congratulations on your first pregnancy :) You can ask your ob/gyn if physical therapy might help and maybe s/he can refer you so that you can have your insurance pay for it. Or you can try acupuncture. I don't know where you live, but my husband is an acupuncturist in Venice and he specializes is treating fertility and pregnancy related issues. Here's his basic info, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Adam Griffin
Acutonix
1615 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
###-###-####

Good Luck,
S.

If the pain is getting severe go to your OBGYN and ask to be tested for a urinary tract infection or a bladder infection. These are common in women who travel while pregnant and they can cause severe pain in the hips and back. I took a 32 hour plane trip at the beginning of my seventh month and could barely stand to walk off of the plane.
Good luck in April!

H. Stanley

Hi B.,
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Are you familiar with essential oils? I am a distributor of Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. I keep myself and my family healthy with them. They are pure, fast-acting, and there are several oils that are safe for you to use while pregnant. In fact, there are several that are designed to be used for just this purpose. If you would like to talk to me about it, please feel free to call or e-mail. I've tried others, but I've found nothing quality-wise that comes close to YL on the U.S. market.

Blessings,

N. Nickerson
###-###-####
____@____.com

Do you get Chiropractic work done on you? You should seriously considered checking out a great chiropractor. Chiropractors can relieve back pain with adjustments, hip/pelvic pain by realigning the pelvic region and relieve neck/shoulder pain with neck adjustments. This form of chiropractic services are perfectly safe for pregnant women, even all the way to term. Just inform the Chiropractor how many weeks along are you and he/she will use different methods to get everything back in place.
I have been getting adjusted every week since about 12 weeks gestation, and I am almost 35 weeks. I really dont know how pregnant women get by without this service. I would be in such misery if I didnt. Good Luck!!!

I did prenatal yoga all throughout my pregnancy and not only did it help with my aches and pain during pregnancy but also helped during labor too! I also agree that massage and having a body pillow help alot too!

I had a lot of hip pain, too, and nothing really helped me towards the end! Swimming is great, though, keep that up! I tried to walk as much as possible, too.

I have heard great things about chiropractic and acupuncture, if you are comfortable with either of those options. I didn't try them because my insurance didn't cover and I couldn't afford otherwise. Good luck!

Hi B.,
I used to have siatica, lower back and hip joint pain and have used some products that are topical - no drugs!!! After using these amazing products I have no pain anywhere. These are safe for you and your baby. Send me an email if you'd like more information.
Good Luck,
E.

I went to my chiropractor for hip and back pain in late pregnancy and he did wonders for me. You might condier a visit to a chiro for some relief.

I had horrible hip/back pain so I used to sit on the floor with the soles of my feet together to create a diamond shape with my legs. I would let my knees fall to the floor naturally (don't push them lower then that) and grab my toes and lean forward. This stretch saved me! I also did "cat/cow" stretches before I went to bed, where you're on your hands and knees and arch slightly, like a sway back cow, then curve your back up slightly like a startled cat.

Good luck! I know that pain all too well.
S.

Hi Bryn! Sorry to hear about your hip and back pain. Motherhood massage (pregnancy massage) is an excellent way to help with your pain. It specifically targets those areas that you're having issues with, that are so typical with the changes our bodies go through during pregnancy. You can look up on the ABMP website to find a massage therapist in your area who does pregnancy massage, or you could call around the spas/salons in your area. (I'm a massage therapist who does pregnancy massage in simi valley, CA) D.

hi B.

I would find a doula/massage practioner and receive sweet touch and relief.
J.

Do you sleep with pillows between your legs and behind your back?

I bought this for my daughter when she was very prego!! SNOOGLE check it out: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267435

also, check out the memory foam toppers at overstock.com... they have some that are relatively inexpensive, they've saved my hips and back. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Memory-Foam-2-inch-M...

I had major hip & back pain on my left side from my 6th month until delivery and even postpartum. My OB/GYN referred me to a Physical Therepist for women, I have the contact info if you want, she's in Torrance. It turns out that during pregnancy when your hip/pelvic bones are realigning and preparing for delivery by hip bones became out of lign, they were 1 inch off, meaning one was higher than the other and they begin to rub against nerves which would shoot down by back. I would go twice a week for massage in that area and she also taught me exercises that woul reallign me. After delivery, while the bones were going back to their original places I also needed the same therepy which really helped. So I would suggest telling your OB your problems and see if they can refer you to a physical therapist.

First of all, congratulations!!!! Hip and back pain whether pregnant or not can be aliviated with more water. Really. I know it isn't what you or your bladder wants to hear, but you are made of more than 75% water. It keeps your body clean inside and out and helps protect your joints (and so much more). That baby of yours is hogging a lot of it, so replenish frequently. It works great for headaches too. The magic formula is to drink 4 ounces every 15 minutes. You'll be going to the bathroom more often however it is a good reminder to get up and stretch.

Good luck, it is all worth it!!!
P.S. You might want to do an internet search on water healing, it is pretty impressive.

hello, find a book on reflexology, there are points in the hands and feet that will relieve both hip and back pain. you can start immediately by rubbing your wrists for the hip. i would also suggest yoga. there are many tapes and classes for pregnancy and yoga. and have fun.
mo

Hey B.. I hope you're feeling better but if not, I would suggest a Prenatal massage. If your hip pain is sciatic related the masseuse can help to relieve the pinched nerve. I had such bad pain with my last pregnancy I could hardly get out of bed or walk at times. I saw Kim Freetly who is a professional therapeutic masseuse and she helped to release the nerve and I felt so much better after that. I didn't even have to go back for the rest of my pregnancy.

She works in L.A., Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Her number is ###-###-#### or she has a website www.massage-professional.com

Hi,
You can try doing pregnancy yoga its never too late to start. There are certain intensities that you wouldnt be able to do obviously because you are in your third trimester. Congratulations by the way :o) But I suggest contacting a chriopractor because after the baby is born is when your back really hurts. That was the case for me. My back was pretty sore during the third trimester, but postpartum my back was never the same. Only now am I trying to find a chiropractor. I know they can straighten your back when you are pregnant but Im not sure at what point you arent able to.
Also, splurge on a massage. Full body is the best. My husband treated me to that a few times in my third trimester and it was heaven!! I hope Ive been of some help to you. COngrats again!

I would try ice instead of heating pad. Avoiding tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers helped me immensely. My pain was being caused by inflamation in the joints. Your pain may have a different cause. Good luck and remember this too shall pass.

UPPER CERVICAL Blair Adjustment will fix you. It is safe for pregnant women, and there is no pain or popping. I have suffered many injuries to the spine, neck, & shoulder. This is the only thing that EVER has taken the edge off of my pain, I hope it helps! The doc below is the one closest to you, he is not mine...but he adjusts my doctor. These doctors are all very good intentioned. www.blairchiropractic.com

Kazuo Gil, DC

3848 Carson St., #103
Torrance, CA

###-###-####
____@____.com

I used a maternity pillow when I slept in the bed. They run about $50.00 and up. I got the boppy maternity pillow and loved it. I tried a horse shoe shaped one too that a friend let me borrow but the boppy was better for me. If you don't want to purchase one try a firm pillow right above the knees to support your hip while you sleep. You should be sleeping on your left side mostly anyway. If you are having he issues when walking then take it easy. You can also ask your Dr; you may have a pinched nerve or the baby could be causing your discomfort too. Sometimes the little burgers get in a comfy spot that is not so comfy for us mommies. . . .I Hope this helps you, you will be feeling relief soon though. Congratulations on your little bundle!

Aloha-

I agree with everyone who suggested going to a Chiropractor. I have been a Chiro. Asst. for over twenty years and we have helped so many pregnant women with back pain. Many Chiropractors have a special adjusting table that are made especially for pregnant women. Check it out. Swimming is great, however I would avoid the heating pad unless it is a moist heating pad. Generally a dry heating pad causes swelling in the area and though it feels good at the time, it can cause more pain later in the day or the next day. You can get an electric moist heating pad at the drugstore, Walmart, etc. They are protected against shocks. Also, one of the best pain controls is an ice pack. I know during the winter that sounds COLD, but it is very good at decreasing pain. It too should be used with a moist towel between the skin and the pack. For best results you can use it for 15 min. every hour for an accumulative effect. Sleeping with a body pillow can help as it keeps the hip and leg from shifting forward.

Have a great time with your baby when he/she finally arrives.

C.

Have You considered chiropractic? I wouldn't have survived my second pregnancy without it! I'm quite sure they all have training for pregnant women but it can't hurt to thoroughly check any doctor You re considering for this type of treatment.

hi B.,
i just wanted to offer massage as a remedy to your sciatic and hip pain. i am currently a student at the kali institute of massage in ventura, and i am also a reiki (energy healing) practitioner. i have also gone through doula training and classes for training to be a midwife, so i have previous knowledge of pregnancy, anatomy, and healing. i need hours for massage school to get my certification, and i would love to be able to give you a massage (i cannot accept payment, so you don't have to splurge!) let me know if that would be something you would be interested in and i would love to try and help.
congratulations and many blessings to you in this special time!
-N. walker
###-###-####
____@____.com

Find a pre-natal yoga class!!! I loved it. I was so upset that I didn't join earlier.

Are you sleeping on your left side & with millions of pillows around you for support? Pillow between your knees might be esp. helpful. I'm only at 21 weeks with my first and if I sleep without the knee-pillow, my hips/lower back hurt for a day.
Good luck!

I had some soreness my final months, too and one thing that helped was one of those "Body Pillows" so I could sleep more comfortably. Just a thought. ..

Hi B.,
I found that sleeping with a pillow between my legs helped the pain, although I had to switch sides throughout the night.

You might also want to consider acupuncture if your OB says it's ok. I go for acupunture for everything and it really helps with the back and it helps relax you. My OB also had me do it to help induce labor.

Good luck.

L.