Hi all,

These past few days I am having very bad back aches, esp at night. I cant even turn sides as whichever side I sleep in, I get pain there. The only thing that seems to work till now is my hubby giving me a back rub with a heat inducing cream. But then it's effect seems to wear off in 2-3 hours, then again, it's tossing and turning till I can sleep. Is there anything else anyone can suggest. At this point I am quite desperate, havent had a decent night's sleep in 3 days. I hate to think that I have to undergo this for the next 2.5 months! My doc said, it's coz of the weight of the babies! But I am desperate here. Plz help!!!

Sandhya Bargavi replied. Sandhya
I was searching a lot on the internet, there is no magic to relieve backpain.
When my back aches, I sleep for few hrs at night in the rocking chair. That helps a bit.
Also my frend when preg with twins used a supportive Maternity Belt that takes pressure off ur cervix and also supports ur back. I use it these dys when I go out. Its quite comfortable.
I think u shld consider getting one like that. Also NEVER bend at all for few dys, Stand and Sit errect all the time. At work always have ur feet elevated, even at nights, have 2 pillows to raise ur leg and also a pillow between ur legs.
Its easier said than done.
I 2 have got severe pains like this sometime back, with 2 growing babies its quite common my doc said.
Take care and rest is another imp factor too that we need most now
Bargavi manvi replied. Hi,
Radhika has given most of the tips necessary.Looks like the twin pregnancy is causing the extra strain.Restrict housework as much as you can&take more bedrest.You must be taking all the precautions but looks like now it's time to take just more rest.
Do you have a rocking chair,always try to use that when awake&put up your legs on a stool/ottoman.
Hope you get some sleep at nites.Try a warm bath&hot milk at bedtime.Wish u luck&take care.Hope your parents r coming soon to help you.
Radhika replied. Hi Sandhya
Its tiring the whole day if u cannot sleep..
From the books i have read tips given are:
1) to keep a pillow between ur legs when u are sleeping
some say sleeping on the left side helps reduce backpain ,added to the fact that is beneficial for the baby too but looks like u tried sleeping on both sides.
2) Try using hot or cold packs,
there are back support belts u get but i don't think will help when pregnant with the growing belly, did help my friend's backache but she wasn't pregnant then (should ask ur doc)
3) Sometimes its the mattress, if its too soft like most in US are with the coil mattress,(tip that helped me the first year when i came here to US, i hated the coil mattresses ,I just took the upper mattress(which has no coils)..and just put that on the floor to sleep and it was very comfortable) OR try adding a firm mat (u get exercise mat which is much firmer)
4) Check ur posture, sit straight the times u are awake..sit in a firm chair, with knees and hips in line most of the time, avoid couches/sofas or soft saggy chairs.
5) IF u have a pregnancy book, they give exercises for backache which may help
Most books say posture and way u bend/lift things increase backaches.. but urs could be the weight of babies if nothing else helps ask ur doctor/nurse, maybe he/she can suggest some exercises/ methods to relieve pain.
That all the info i have..
I hope u do find a solution and get a few hours of good sleep.
Take care.
Radhika