One of the common complaints for women during that
last trimester is back pain. Weight gain, muscle separation, stress and posture
changes are all contributing factors. The sciatic nerve is typically the main
source of pain, and often there is no comfortable position to be in. Sleep
because increasingly difficult, as well as getting around in general.
So when does it become serious? Let me start off by
telling you that anytime your quality of life is being affected it may be time
to speak up and be an advocate for yourself. If you had back pain or issues
before getting pregnant this also should be a red flag that something is not
right. Talk to your OB and if need be, consult an orthopedic surgeon.
Here is my story...
When I was 17 I was in a pretty nasty car accident
and was left with a bulging disc in the L4/L5 area. I was told at the time that
this was a degenerative disease that could get progressively worse over time. I
was instructed to do my best to keep fit and strengthen my leg and abdominal
muscles to support my lower back. So with my first pregnancy there was a little
more back pain then I imagine the average woman might go through. However with
my second, things were much worse.
I was well into my second trimester when the sciatica
was flaring up... numbness in the legs, pain in the lower back and many
sleepless nights. I did my best to walk, stretch and do prenatal yoga- but in
the end we believe that may have made things worse. I was in the middle of
doing yoga when a pain in my back surged through my body so bad that it made me
physically ill and I nearly fell to the floor! For days I couldn't even walk.
Once I could finally get up I decided to go see a chiropractor, my second
mistake according to my orthopedic surgeon. No relief was provided when seeing
the chiropractor, but he did turn me on to Biofreeze and icing which helped some.
My OB kept telling me that this was most likely
just the pregnancy and that once the weight came off I would get better... this
was not the case. Once I had my daughter the pain seemed to get worse so that
is when I went to see specialists. The bulging disc had actually herniated, and
the framework around it was collapsing so to speak. I was beyond the help of
Physical Therapy so we tried pain management. By the time my daughter was 5
months old I could barely walk. I was in such horrific pain that I couldn't
even carry the diaper bag or car seat. Mornings were the worst; my bones and
muscles surged with pain and ached to the core. I was on enough pain medication
to kill a small animal- and my quality of life was affected greatly.
So in May 2011, 9 months after giving birth I
underwent a bone fusion surgery, I was terrified to say the
least. It was a 4-hour surgery that would leave me on bed rest for at least two
weeks. I wasn't allowed to hold my baby for the first 6-8 weeks and it was long
summer of rehabilitation. The worst of it all is that there was no guarantee
this would fix the problem, but for me there was no other choice.
Things seemed to be getting better after several
months, but then quickly started to deteriorate again. I still have little
sensation in my left leg. I can only sit, walk and stand for short periods of
time and there is still a great deal of pain. Sleeping is still very difficult
for me, only and hour or so at time and then I need to get up to move my
joints. We have monitored the fusion closely and as of 3 months ago the fusion
had begun but was wafer thin.
I write this for the same reason I wrote the
article on my breast-feeding experience. Be your own advocate!!! If
something is not feeling right, be persistent until someone listens- meanwhile
listen to your own body. I am not saying to avoid physical activity when
pregnant, matter of fact motion helps keep things loose. Just be careful if you
are experiencing pain, and have a specialist take a look before a chiropractor
does!
When the flare-ups are bad, try ice or heat for 20 minutes every 40
minutes or so. Biofreeze was great at penetrating to the muscles as well so get
a tube of that from your local pharmacy. Keep feet elevated when possible, do
yoga with a certified instructor when pregnant. Your center of gravity is off;
your muscles are completely separated so play it safe! Swimming is really the
best form of exercise in the third trimester! Low-impact and takes the weight
of your joints and lower back. If pain is radiating down your legs, preventing
you from doing any activity or you are experiencing numbness and tingling then
it is time to call a doctor!
J'aime la vie by Victoria Antoinette
Stephanie Antoinette
Founder & M.O.M. (Master of Multitasking)
Founder & M.O.M. (Master of Multitasking)
Phone- 480-717-2795
