Conference moira::parenting

    Hi,
    
    I'm sorry you are in pain.  I went through severe hip pain on my right
    side that suddenly commenced in my second trimester, and just as
    suddenly stopped several weeks later.  It felt something like sciatica.
    
    My doctor wasn't helpful, either.
    
    Here's what I think happened.  The ligaments were stretching and my
    hips got crooked.  The pregnancy hormones cause your ligaments to
    soften, so this could happen even if you've hardly gained weight yet.
    
    I think my hips and legs accomodated the misalignment and that's why
    the pain stopped.
    
    Months after the baby was born, people told me I was limping.  I felt
    somewhat uncomfortable walking and had trouble climbing stairs 
    but didn't notice a limp myself.  
    
    Two years after the baby was born, my left knee (site of an old injury)
    suddenly swelled up.  My leg hurt severely and I couldn't walk.  A
    combination of anti-inflammatory drugs, doctor extracting fluid, and
    physical therapy got me back on my feet.
    
    After weeks of working on my knee, the therapist (with some prompting
    from me) noticed that the hip on the right side was crooked.  My left
    leg was longer when reclining, shorter when sitting up.  The therapist
    did a chiropractic-style manouver on my hip, and that one adjustment
    got me back in alignment!
    
    So what I'm suggesting is that you get an evaluation from a physical
    therapist, who might be able to help you relieve the pain even while
    you're pregnant.
    
    Laura

    I think the misalignment was made much worse when I travelled for
    business.  Going down those airplane aisles dragging a heavy briefcase,
    perching on the seat to jam it in the overhead - nobody offered to help
    me or even get out of my way.  And I was really showing.  What an
    unpleasant memory.
    
    Laura

    
    It doesn't always mean you have gained alot of weight in order to have
    sciatic pain. It's just the pressure from the growing uterus that puts
    strain on the joints and ligaments and nerves and all that other good
    stuff.  I am 32 weeks now with #2 and am suffering from this condition 
    bad.  Sometimes my leg gives out on me. It's scary but it's part of
    the joy of pregnancy. I found that lying on my left side with a pillow
    between my legs really helps.  Another good excercise for this type of
    pain is taylor sitting, it's kind of like sitting indian style but in
    stead of crossing your legs inside each other you sit with the soles of
    your feet together and gently push on the knees so stretch the upper
    thighs.  It's actually pretty comfortable.
    
    Hope this helps....
    
    Sandy
    
    

    If you are upset about the prospect of being out of shape, remember
    you can always work back into shape LATER. If your doctor's advice 
    upsets you, tell her/him - perhaps she/he can advise you on things
    you CAN do - but be VERY careful. Would you not rather be out of
    shape than flat on your back? This was the unpleasant experience a
    good friend had - she was an aerobics instructor and on her last WEEK
    of instruction she pulled her back (had not gained a whole lot either).
    She did the rest of her pregnancy IN BED, with Lots and lots of
    therapy after the delivery.
    Be wise about this - discuss it with the doc.
    
    Monica
    (whose pregnancies have given her a bad hip too!)

    My favorite form of exercise is running and my doctor told me that I'd
    have to stop after my 4th month, but to find some other form of
    non-stressful exercise to stay in shape (he felt you could really mess
    up your joints doing a high impact exercise) and suggested prenatal
    aerobics.  I signed up for a class starting in my 4th month (I found a
    class at a local Y) and while they weren't "breakout in a sweat"
    aerobics, they kept me moving and stretching.  Believe me, towards the
    end even some of those exercises that I thought were ridiculously easy
    in the beginning became difficult.  I also got to meet a lot of nice
    people who were in the same state I was and it was fun comparing notes.
    
    If it hurts, remember it's your body's way of saying slow down.
    
    Susan
    
    

	My sister's sciatic nerve started bothering her at about 10 weeks
	with her last pregnancy.  She taught aerobics into her fifth
	month with her doctor's approval.  Her doctor would have allowed
	her to continue, she was just tired and didn't feel she could
	give her students the class she wanted to.

	I'll ask her tonight if the doctor had any specific recommendations/
	contraindications for her sciatic nerve problem.  She's also certified
	to teach pre-natal aerobics, so may have some other useful information
	to offer.

	Karen

    This was an intersting question...
    
    I am just starting my 9th week, and on Saturday, while I was making the
    Beds while doing my house cleaning, I pulled something in my back.
    I though I was going to die!  I couldn't straighten out or anything.
    After 1 day of being flat on my back, it is much better, but I can
    still feel the pull on my left side....
    
    I just figured that my muscles are beginning to loosen to begin the
    "expansion" stage, and thats what caused it...
    
    Anne Marie
    

    to the base noter:  I don't think scrubbing your floors on your hands
    and knees for an hour and a half is good for a pregnant woman to do,
    especially in the first trimester, when things are more risky.  Maybe
    you should buy a mop and wash your floors that way till after the
    baby's born.  My friend used to wash her floors on her hands and knees
    and when she got pregnant her OB told her to use a mop so that she
    wouldn't hurt herself.  She took his advice and still uses a mop once
    in a while.  As for the arobics you might want to purchase one of the
    Jane Fonda exercise tapes for pregnant woman (or any of the other ones)
    to keep in shape while you are pregnant. 
    
    My sister-in-law had sever back problems with her first and second
    pregnancy's and her OB suggested some easy step arobics with the second
    pregnancy and also told her to buy the special pillow called a
    pregnancy pillow to use while she slept. Between the exercise and the
    pillow she had very little back problems with her second pregnancy.
    
    I pulled a muscle in my lower left side while pregnant with my son and
    had to sleep with a pillow inbetween my knee's and on my right side for
    a few weeks until it got better.
    
    Liz

    I was just going to start looking for a similar note myself this
    morning!  Thanks Karen for starting it. 
    
    Although I do not have "back" pain, my right leg gave out on me a few
    times over the weekend.  I am 24 weeks along with my first.  I didn't
    think much of it until last night when I was unable to lay on my right
    side at all.  This morning while driving to work I noticed that my leg
    was getting increasingly numb and felt hot.  I was worried about
    driving and called my doctor immediately.  They told me that the baby
    was probably resting on a nerve and until she/he shifted, to keep my
    legs up and btw, this is normal.  I am doing the best I can, but my
    my tailbone area is killing me and my leg has lost most feeling, although 
    its not in "pain".  I haven't see any swelling either and am waiting to
    hear from my doctor although I don't know if I will get an appointment
    because the nurse did state this was "normal".
    
    I am still a bit worried.  Because of the pain that I am receiving
    occasionally from my uterus and canal on the right side, I feel that 
    something could be wrong other than just a nerve being rested upon.  
    It also has gotten worse and not better.  I have been known to
    overreact to other things with the pregnancy and try not to bother my
    doctor about every little ache and pain but this is something that I
    really want checked out.  He hasn't ordered an ultrasound cept for the
    9th week to determine due date because of insurance purposes and I feel
    that when he does call he might tell me to relax and stop worrying so
    much.  
    
    Question:    How is I supposed to work with this condition?  I find it 
    almost impossible to sit today.
    
    cj
    
             

Reply to -1..

I had this problem too but as I can remember it started later in my pregnancy.
My leg gave out on me quite often and my left side ached.  The doctor
told me that it was the baby hitting/sitting on a nerve..and it was normal..

It's aggravating but I wouldn't worry about it....Just be careful..I fell
down the stairs at about 8 1/2 months....No damage done but it was scarry..

    re: the basenote, I'm with Monica and Liz.  "Get a mop!" (or better
    still, talking someone *else* into doing the floor) was my first
    reaction.  Nobody's ever confused me with an assiduous housekeeper :-)
    but if I were pregnant I'd be *much less* inclined to do the Cinderella
    bit.  Life's too short, and though pregnancy is a natural condition and
    we're modern women (strong like bull, pull many plow) there are lots of
    "natural" discomforts, debilitating conditions and even *disasters*
    associated with pregnancy.  I was lucky--very easy pregnancy--but I
    realized my limitations after I had passed a day sitting on the floor
    sorting through files.  Sedentary task, right?  No physical
    repercussions possible, right?  How about a week of hemorrhoids... and
    I was lucky to get back to normal AT ALL before the birth.  Definitely
    have a long talk with your doctor...
    
    Leslie 

    
    I am due in 2 1/2 weeks with my second.  With my first baby, I had
    terrible hip pain and basically only slept a couple of hours a
    nite from 7mos. until he was born.  I also remember walking in the
    mall and just getting a jolt in my stomach that was so bad, I 
    couldn't walk.  My son had moved onto my nerve!  
    
    With this pregnancy, my back seems to bother me more and my ankle
    that I broke in the 9th grade started to bother me.  My leg felt
    like someone had a match to it and I couldn't understand why.  I
    put on an ace bandage and wore it for 3 days.  I took off the
    bandage and it feels 100% better.  
    
    
    I know that it's just something that I have to live/deal with
    and I know that I don't have that much longer to go so it doesn't
    bother me too much.  Someone mentioned that they were concerened
    about the pains that they were having.  Most likely, it's just
    the baby laying on your nerve(s) but if it's bothering you, I'd
    call the doctor.  At least you will feel a little better once
    you've spoke to him/her.  
    
    -Chris

    re: .09
    
    I also had the same problem starting in my 6th month.  My doctor said
    that nothing would be done unless I lost feeling in my leg.  He told me
    to take Tylenol for the discomfort.  Also, I found that sitting for
    long periods aggrevated the situation.  Walking helped somewhat,
    actually I was more comfortable while standing.  I also experienced
    "pulls" or cramping associated with this.
    
    As someone else said, sleeping with a pillow between the knees helped
    me to get comfortable enough to sleep.
    
    Laura

    a solution: don't. 
    If there is any way you can make it easier for your self, do it (be
    it mopping the floor, or taking the day off from work, it's important
    that you be as comfortable as you can!)
    My parents, btw, bought the house they are living in now 3 months
    before I was born. My mom was scrubbing the new floors, 7 months 
    pregnant on her hands and knees (she tells me this when she thinks
    I am being a wimp, I think ;-)  )
    
    Monica
    

        re: get a mop  

	(From the basenoter)

	Actually, this was the first time I ever did the floor bit on
	my hands and knees.  Its just that after a year of mopping with
	lousy (cheap) floor cleaner, the scrub brush was necessary.  Nesting
	instincts perhaps?  I don't know, but I'll behave in the future.  
	Now I understand why the doctors tell you not to do exercise that
	you are unaccustomed to!

	As for the aerobics... I considered ignoring my doctor and going
	on with aerobics but after last night (couldn't get comfortable)
	I went to my health club first thing this morning and froze my
	membership indefinately.

	I really hope this pain is temporary but I realize, from all your
	notes (thanks everyone) that there is a good chance it could 
	last for another 6 months (groan).  As soon as the pain lessens,
	I intend to take up walking.  Funny thing is, the pain is much
	less when I am moving than when I am still.  Not sure it this
	is because I'm distracted when moving (walking, etc).  I go for
	my next visit in 2 weeks so I'll ask the doctor what sort of
	exercise I can take up, even if I'm still having sciatic nerve
	problems.

	Thanks for the notes!  Good luck to you others who are currently
	suffering similar pains (and probably have it worse than me!).

	Karen

If it is ok with your doctor, think about prenatal aerobics.  I did it
for five months at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester NH.  Besides the
low impact aerobics and stretching, we did relaxation which helped 
during labor.

Jackie

    I just got back from a Dr's appt.  I've been having pain in my left hip
    for a couple weeks, off and on (feels like bones rubbing together, more
    than nerves).  Anyway, he said that hip discomfort is very common, and
    that most often it's related to posture.  As you start to "grow" and
    ligaments loosen, your posture changes.  He suggested trying to
    maintain a pelvic tilt as often as possible.  Funny thing was, as soon
    as I did it, it felt TONS better.  So for me, it must just be the
    posture.
    
    For exercise, I happened to grab the latest copy of EXPECTING from the
    Dr's office, and the cover says there's an article about what exercises
    you should and shouldn't do while pregnant.  Obviously you'd want to
    check with you Dr first.  I'll try to post the bulk of the article in
    here tonight (sorry, left the magazine in the car!).
    
    

	Karen,

	I wouldn't suggest going against your doctor's advice, but
	if you did feel comfortable doing aerobics, I'd ask specific
	questions to the doctor, ie. does aerobics aggravate the
	condition, or are you being extra cautious?

	Karen

    
    I did get to talk my doctor about my specific pain and as the previous
    noters have indicated, there is little you can do until the baby moves
    and the pressure is taken off.  He suggested putting some pillows
    under my knees, applying little heat and tylenol.  My sister in law
    told me to move around.  Basically, today, I am better but boy, sitting
    really does a number on me.  Its comforting however to know that your
    not the only one who goes through this and its pretty normal.
    
    The joys of motherhood coming early I suppose,
    
    cj (who cleanes her house more so than she used to, I understand
    Karen!)
                                                                 

    
    
    I hesitated before posting this answer, so as not to worry anyone
    unnecessarily. However, I thought this might be useful as a word of
    caution.
    
    I had a couple of herniated disks before I got pregnant, and my doctor
    told me I did not have anything to worry about with pregnancy.
    At about the sixth month, I started having serious pains in my left
    hip. It was my sciatic nerve, and the ob-gyn told me that the only cure
    for it would be to have the baby, that it was perfectly normal and
    common for pregnant women to have this type of pain.
    
    To cut a long story short, I had to have back surgery 2 weeks after my
    C-section. One of my disks had ruptured in a bad way, and the pain
    never went away after the delivery. It got much, much worse, until I
    was literally paralyzed by the pain. I could not move from my bed, was
    resting in a fetal position on my right side, and could only lift
    myself up on my right elbow to eat. Not a pleasant situation to be in
    at any time, but definitely bad with a 3 week old to take care of
    (fortunately my parents had come to help me).
    
    After the surgery, I was back to normal. It is not known what caused
    the disk to rupture. Was it a very long labor (I pushed for more than 4
    hours), or was it the physical stress of the pregnancy, or was it just
    "fated" to happen, I guess I'll never know. But as someone who went
    through the worse case scenario, my advice is to guard your back, and
    not to push it, particularly if you've had back pain prior to pregnancy. 
    If it hurts, definitely don't do it. 
    
    If I had to do things over, I would definitely be more firm with my
    ob-gyn. I think that they are used to various complaints, and used to
    brushing them off. I wish I had said "yes my hip hurts, and I understand
    that it can be normal, but it does hurt a lot, and remember, I have two
    herniated disks". Even though they knew about the herniated disks, they
    kept giving me the standard answer. Going straigh to a c-section might
    have saved my disk for the time being, and avoided the complications of
    having to undergo major surgery twice and the weeks of not being able
    to take care of my baby myself (then again, it was my husband who got
    to pick her up at night, while I stayed in bed. I had automatic baby
    delivery for months!).
    
    Patricia.

    I had severe leg pain down the front of my left leg for both
    pregnancies. What helped me tremendously was doing cat stretches - on
    all 4's, you alternate arching and curving your back. It basically
    takes the weight off your back and back nerves, which relieves the leg
    pressure as well.
    
    

    Last week Helen slipped on the stairs & bounced down a couple on her
    bottom (not very dignified!). The result is a bruised coccyx (sp?). The
    doctor wasn't worried by this. As its only 9 days to the due-date now,
    and its still a bit painful, I was wondering if it would be a problem
    during labour. I suppose there'll be other pain to think about, will
    labour pain relief methods (gas & air/pethidine/TENS etc) also have an
    effect on this pain?
    
    Andy

    Andy,
    Helen might experience some discomfort, but it really depends
    on how the labour goes. (good luck!)
    
    This note reminds me that I got a permanent souvenir from my first
    labour (a rather difficult one) since that day I experience the
    occasional severe pain on the left side near my hip, going down
    my leg (I say this because today is such an occasion!)
    
    Monica

    I broke my tailbone during my early 20's.  I had my first when I was 28
    and I was very concerned that I would feel ANY pain in that area.  My
    doctor told me that I probably wouldn't - and he was right.  I did feel
    the old injury on occaision, so I wasn't sure.  Depends on where the
    baby hits on it's way out, I guess.
    
    -sandy
    

    My son broke my tailbone when he was born!  Throughout my whole
    pregnancy, I complained about it hurting.  Dr said the baby must be
    sitting on it.
    
    When I was in labor, the dr checked me and said I would be awhile
    longer.  He no sonner left the room and the nurse heard a snap
    and went running after the dr.  Apparently my son was stuck on it
    and when it snapped, he just slid right out!  It wasn't really
    that painful, more of a relief!
    
    I had alot of pain afterward and the dr said it would always bother
    me.  He was right.  If I sit or stand for too long, it starts to
    bother me again.
    
    There's really nothing they can do about it.  Just try to take
    it easy!

    
    Alice broke her tailbone years ago falling off a golfcart.
    
    Giving birth to the the twins, she broke it again and it went back into
    position!
    
    Simon

    >>Giving birth to the the twins, she broke it again and it went back into
    >>position!
    
 Simon, now THERE's a happy ending!
    (I somehow wished Charlotte would do the same for my hip, but
    alas, I still have the discomfort...)
    
    Monica

	I can't believe it, but 2 weeks after the sciatic nerve problem
	began, it ended!  The first week was very minor, the second week
	was awful for 4 days, painful for one more day, then gone the next!
	I just woke up Saturday morning and felt a little pain.... by mid
	afternoon it was like nothing had ever happened!

	Now I wish I hadn't froze my membership in my health club!  I can't
	reactivate it till July 1st now and only with another Dr's note!
	I think I might walk this week 2-3 times, then join Jazzercize for
	a while.  Once I can go back to my health club I intend to do so
        if my Dr thinks it is allright to do so.

	Oh, some people have mentioned prenatal exercise tapes.  Where can 
	you get those?  I don't live near a mall so would I find it in
	places like K-mart or Bradlees?  I like in Milford MA and work in
	Marlboro if anybody can mention specific stores.  If I can get one
	of those, I might try exercising at home.  

	Karen

    re:.23 (my own note).
    >>This note reminds me that I got a permanent souvenir from my first
    >>labour (a rather difficult one) since that day I experience the
    >>occasional severe pain on the left side near my hip, going down
    >>my leg (I say this because today is such an occasion!)
    
    This got worse and worse and BINGO - I was immobile on the floor
    this weekend. (and lucky the pager didn't go off!!). I have been
    banned from doing the dishes (I am a compulsive tidier and this is
    harder to avoid than you think!) and have had to hesitate when trying
    to pick up Charlotte - she's going through collosally bad teething
    (EVERYTHING is coming) plus a bad cold - its tough not to hold her.
    
    Monica

    I was awakened Saturday morning with unbearable left side backache and
    kind of around the uterus, only my left side however.  I thought I was in
    labor and called the doctor.  The covering OB suggested I contact my
    regular doctor for possibly kidney stones but it was 6:30 and they
    didn't open till 8:00 a.m.  I cried myself to sleep after realizing
    that it was not indeed labor and awoke feeling much better.  Anyone
    experience anything like this or kidney stones while pregnant?
    
    cj
    

My wife had kidney stones at the end of her pregnancy.  It was about the time
of her glucose test, and the made her abstain from food AND WATER.  The kidney
stones were soon to follow.  She said it was a little more painful than the
labor.

Michael

    Could this be gallstones instead? This is what happened to me.
    But before you say "no, the pain is in the wrong place" I can
    tell you that's exactly what I said when I started getting
    sharp pains at my LEFT shoulder and worked its way down to my
    left hip. Yes, I know the gallbladder is not on the left side,
    but thanks to suggestions in this conference, we considered the 
    possibility and was correctly diagnosed through an ultrasound.
    
    Hang in there!
    
    Monica

    wow, gallstones and kidney stones during pregnancy?  my book never
    covered either of these.  why do pregnant women (or anyone for that
    matter) encounter these?  does anyone know?
    
    i will have to talk to my doctor.  i am still uncomfortable but nothing
    like what i was the other morning.  i said to my husband as i cried,
    "if this is what labor is, we're in trouble!" his comment was, "i'm
    sure we are, from what i heard, labor is the worst!".... thanks for the
    encouragement my darling husband! :)  i am somewhat relieved to know
    that i went through something that i can compare labor to! (if it was
    indeed kidney related).
    
    cj
    
    cj
    

See also 505.* "Surgery while pregnant" for references to gallstones
and pregnancy.

FWIW, I had to have my gall bladder removed 5-6 months after giving birth.
I had had back pains for several weeks/months, but thought it was stress.
I didn't see a doctor until one time when the incredible pain lasted all night
and into the morning.  Even then I was misdiagnosed by the physician's
assistant, but luckily the doctor came in early and correctly diagnosed me and
sent me to the hospital right away.  I was apparently missing an important
symptom, but I still had to have an emergency gall bladder removal.  :-} 

        Carol

    I was wondering whether or not any of you that have had chronic back
    pain prior to pregnancy followed a regular exercise program to
    alleviate the pain.
    In cases where the back pain was due to a previous physical injury, did
    physical therapy or execise help in the past or during the pregnancy?
    In cases where back pain was due more to poor muscle tone or
    inactivity, did if get worse during/after prenancy.  (I assume so)
    
    Just curious.  (Kelly B. - don't read anything into this!)  ;^) 

    	I didn't really have back problems as much as I had orthopedic
    problems that affected my back (about as clear as mud, no?)

    	This last pregnancy really did me in. I *thought* that I had gotten
    a lot stronger because I did not need to wear a full leg brace like I
    did for my first pregnancy. Unfortunately, the reason that I did not
    have to wear the leg brace was because my body had figured out how to
    compensate and it ultimately put increased stress on other parts of my
    body. By the time Griffin was born, I had difficulty walking because
    some of my muscles had literally shut down.

    	I had to stay out for a few extra weeks after the regular maternity
    leave just so that I could do the physical therapy needed to attempt to
    correct my body's compensation. It is a long haul that I am still
    working on.

    	When I get pregnant again, it will be vitally important that I
    watch my body mechanics like a hawk and correct any malalignments as
    soon as possible. This would mean continued Physical therapy throughout
    the pregnancy and beyond. It would also most probably mean one if not
    two leg braces whether I felt I needed them or not. (but we'll see when
    the time comes ;-))

    	A small price to pay in my book.

    				Wendy

	FWIW,  many muscular back problems are related not to weak
	back muscles, but rather very tight back muscles.  Most things we
	do affect our back muscles, and when they become very tight (especially
	in relation to weak abdominal muscles), they can be quite
	painful.  The condition can make it impossible to even walk, and
	is usually aggravated by driving and sitting.

	The cure is actually fairly simple.  Back stretches, done each
	morning and night, relieve the muscle tension.  Abdominal exercises
	help to both stretch the back muscles and strengthen the abdominal
	muscles, balancing things out.  Also, changing driving and sitting
	positions help.

	I'd say if that is your problem, and you can get relief through
	some of the above methods, you should not have a problem during
	a pregnancy.  If you did, you'd at least have the tools to correct
	the problem.  (I did have some back pain during my pregnancy, and
	was usually able to alleviate it through stretching).

	Of course, this is free advice.  Check with a doctor for the
	proper diagnosis of the cause of your pain before trying any
	cures (mine or someone elses).

    What worked for me the last two pregnancies were regular visits to the
    chiropractor.  It cut way down on the carpal tunnel type stuff, the
    sciatica and the "dead leg" syndrome.  
    
    With my first pregnancy I was pretty miserable and I was ALOT younger
    at that time.  With the last two I walked a few miles several times a
    week, until the last two weeks when the ligaments around my pelvis just
    got to loose to make walking comfortable.  I would say that checking
    out a chiro, acupunturist or a DO who does some manipulation might be 
    worthwhile for others as well.
    
    Meg

    Boy I feel like all I have done since June is complain.  I am now entering
    my 7 month and the pain from the leg is getting progressively worse.  I
    called the doctor, he said go home and rest, call in a few days if it
    doesn't get better.  So I did that and it got better so I came back to
    work and the whole thing started up again. I am now on my fourth call
    to the doctor's office however, I have only talked to him once and the
    nurses the other three times.  I have been very adament this morning
    and have my monthly appointment on Tuesday.  Basically they say that
    its pretty normal (ground ligaments, siatic nerve pressure) and that
    staying off it is the only thing that will help and I possibly need two
    weeks full bed rest.  I have rested not completely, but almost for
    three weeks.  Is complete bedrest really going to help or are they just
    skirting the issue?  What about fibriod tumors?  And, if I stay down
    and it comes back after two weeks what then?
    
    A very frustrated worker so hates to sit around ...
    
    cj

    
    	Ah the joys of pregnancy.
    
    	Sorry to tell you this, but the only way you are going to get
    better is to go ahead and have that baby. That means you have quite a
    few more weeks of feeling miserable before that happens.
    
    	The best you can do? Simply deal with it and (literally) take it
    one day at a time, several months of pain is overwhelming, one day of
    pain at a time, you can probably take.
    
    	I've told Marc that if I could have my way, I'd have hundreds of
    kids but there is no way in hell that I could go through hundreds of
    pregnancies (let's just say that I don't "glow" when I'm pregnant) So
    it looks like our family will be naturally limited. ;-)
    
    			Wendy
                                                           

With my first pregnancy I didn't have any leg pain
until about th 6 or 7 month.  It was so bad that the
doctor put me on bed rest for 7 days.  I had to lie flat
on the side that didn't hurt, with no pillow under my
head, but one between my knees.  I did this for about 5
days and finally the baby moved off and I never had any
pain for the rest of the pregnancy.

I am currently 15 weeks along with my second pregnancy
and have been having leg pain for about 7 weeks.

I honestly believe that the bed rest helped me a lot.  It
was quite boring but it did bring relief.

    I felt I too had to add my experience to this.  Since I have had two
    back surgeries for ruptured disks, one in 1978 one in 1983, AJ was born
    in 1987 and I was in bed from 7 months until delivery (fortunate that
    was only 5 weeks later but that's another whole story).  I was having
    very severe back pain, I knew this pain well and didn't want it getting
    out of control.  I first did the heating pad, even took it to work and
    kept it tucked into the back of my chair.  Then it was home, bed rest
    with bathroom priviledges only.  And can you only imagine my
    frustration because this was two weeks before Christmas, only a few
    weeks before my due date and all the things I just *had* to get done.
    These are the times I am thankful Ihad the support of my husband and
    inlaws!
    
    I do have a "Camp" back brace, it's like an old fashion corset with
    steet rods that run up beside teh spinal colum, and laces and straps in
    many places.   The woman who fitted it to me following the second
    surgery said that yes, maternity panels can be put into the brace, (we
    were trying when I had the surgery) and yes, in fact she had put panels
    into the brace for some women with back problems.  Fortunate for me the
    brace wasn't necessary, heat, bedrest and ONE advil every 6 hours
    seemed to help.  There was no concern taking the advil because I was so
    late in my pregnancy.
    
    Lyn

    An update to my earlier reply...
    
    I have been working 4 hours a day for alittle over a week now.  I had
    to see an orthopediac dr. for my ligament problems and was told to swim
    four (4) times a week and do certain exercises.  I am on my second week
    at doing this and can't tell you how much better I feel.  I do notice
    that the pain starts back up if I don't swim two days in a row so the
    improvement is enough to keep up with it.  I only hope I will have the
    time after I start back to work full time, or if I will even be able
    to.
    
    So, to make a long story short, there is a bright side for me and I
    didn't have to put up with the pain for another 8 weeks.  I only wish I
    had talked to my HMO sooner and found out that my OB wasn't the only
    doctor to see when experiencing pregnancy related problems.
    
    good luck to everyone!
    
    cj

    Interesting comment -1, when I was pregnant and had a problem whether
    it was back ache, stomach flu, headache etc, and called my internist,
    he would not even touch it.  He would immediately tell me "you're
    pregnant arn't you?  Call (or he would call) the OB!  My OB handled
    everything during pregnancy.  Although my internist and OB knew each
    other, had a great relationship (my OB delivered both my internist's
    children) and consulted with each other on those "grey areas", where
    yes I did have a medical problem, but I wasSTILL pregnant, so let's
    make that the first consdieration in making medical decisions.
    
    Lyn

    -1 I believe it has to do with what coverage you have, first off.  With
    Harvard Community, I was told that anything not directly related to the
    pregnancy to see "that specific doctor" for.  Even yeast infections,
    which I would of thought would of gone into the OB catagory, fell into
    my primary care physician.
    
    I do not agree with this.  I also think that my OB should of told me that 
    I had the option of seeing a specialist for my leg/hip problems.  It
    would of saved me some pain and a call to the HMO complaining about his
    service.  On the other hand, maybe the HMO should clarify their
    services when a women gets pregnant so she knows before she has to go
    through something like this; like maybe a newsletter.
    
    FWIW,
    
    cj