mid-back pain in third pregnancy

[May]

Hello everyone!

My name is May and I am new here. Just transfered from another forum on the 'net where opinions where not allowed (only sucking-up) unless you were a "priviledged" member of the boards (you had to get voted in !) Anyway, to make a long story a little less long, I've been reading your posts and they all sound so great, disagreements don't end up in name-calling and such ... nice! Glad to be here.

A little about me before I ask my question :

I am 27, married with a son (4 years old). I am currently 28 weeks pregnant (third). I lost a baby at 12 weeks last year ;( ... had trouble conceiving that time, only to lose it. This time around, we weren't even TTC actively, and lo and behold, I was pregnant just 3 months after a D&C! This pregnancy has been pretty good (the all-day-sickness) disappeared at around 17 weeks, along with the heartburn ... :7 Now .... if it wasn't for this back-ache .... I try to exercise everyday, running after a 4 year old isn't enough ... hi hi hi
I walk at least 5 times a week and go to the pool with my son at least twice a week. I have gained a total of 14 pounds so far ... with my son I had gained 29 pounds and he weighed 9.5 pounds! I know it is common for women to have lower back pain but mine is all middle-back , actually, right where my bra-strap goes. It burns like someone is poking me with hot sticks! Ouch!

So, has anyone else felt this? Or does anyone know of any good stretches/exercises for middle-back ?

Thanks again,

May:7

 

[Sheila Watkins]

Hi May,

Welcome to our forum and congratulations on your pregnancy. You will find that we've got a great group here. Sorry about the mid back pain. I am not a medical professional, but your pain sounds like pain from your the rib expansion that women experience during pregnancy. This can be quite painful for a lot of women during this time. Has your bra size increased along with your cup size? Women may experience a 2 - 2.5 inch increase in their ribcage during pregnancy and this ribcage expansion manifests itself as pain just as you described. Relaxin, the "joint softening" hormone of pregnancy, affects the cartilaginous tissue between the ribs and makes those joints "looser" during pregnancy. Unfortunately, this "play" in the joints can be quite painful at times.

Any stretch that puts the body in a "C" shape (ex. back stretch sitting on a Resistaball) may help a bit.

You might want to mention this to your caregiver at your next appointment just to make sure nothing else is going on.

Take care and keep us posted.

Sheila

Sheila S. Watkins, MLSci.
Founder and National Program Director
Healthy Moms(R) Fitness
www.healthymomsfitness.com