Conference moira::parenting

    Have you tried seeing a chiropractor?  Sometimes they can work wonders. 
    
    Mary
    

    Having your mate massage the area can sometimes relax it enough
    to give some pain relief. I had a pinched nerve from the first
    delivery and it occasionally acts up -- my doc told me that there's
    little that can be done during pregnancy -- if things get unbearable
    she said I can have a tylenol....
    
    Sometimes light exercise can also relax the area a little, 
    or maybe a heating pad?
    
    Monica

    I have been told that only rest, heat or even ice can help, but I am 
    having the most difficulty when I am trying to sleep. I wake up with
    that side asleep and when "it" wakes up it is so painful sometimes I
    can hardly walk. I have had my boyfriend massage it, but sometimes it hurts
    worse to touch the area. I have also been told that one of those 
    mattresses that looks like an egg carton are good to sleep on when you
    have problems with legs and back. Has anyone used one of these?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Sherry  

    
    	I would not sleep on a bed that does not have egg crate foam.
    
    	I have lots of orthopedic problems and one side of my pelvis has
    been broken twice, so I have lots of the pain that you are talking
    about except that mine does not go away with the birth of a baby :-(
    
	Egg crate foam makes *all* the difference in the world!
    
    			Wendy

    Thanks Wendy.
    
    How do I place it on the bed? On top, or under the mattress? How
    are the prices?
    
    Sherry

    
    	You place it on top of the mattress under your sheet (it feels very
    bumpy at first and it might take awhile to get used to the feel under
    your hand) The cost is about $30 dollars for a queen size pad and I
    had my last pad for about 4 years before I had to replace it. (the dog
    jumps on the bed and had torn it).
    
    	The *only* thing that you have to keep in mind is that this foam is
    flammable and so if you have it on your bed, there can be ABSOLUTELY NO
    SMOKING IN BED OR NEAR IT (this is no problem as we don't allow smoking
    in our house).
    
    	Good luck, it really makes a difference with me.
    
    				Wendy
    
                 

Please do not use a heating pad or an electric blanket, according to
my doctor they are very bad for the baby.

I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my daughter to the point
that I could not walk, sit, laydown let alone sleep.  They ended up
putting me on medication (Tylnol 3) which is tylnol with coedine in it,
of course I was paranoid about the coedine so I did a little research,
it seems that the placenta works a whole lot like a strainer depending on
the size of the molacule some things will pass through the placenta others
will be traped by the placenta coedine is one that gets traped by the 
placenta and does not pass through to the baby or the other had insulin
will pass through to the baby.  I will check and see if I still have the
book at home, if not it was a book that I picked up in the bookstore.

Hope you feel better soon.

sue





    
                 

    
    I believe that a heating pad for small specified areas is okay (please
    check with your physcian) but that larger areas or electrical blankets
    are out as they run the risk of increasing the body core temperature
    (and thus the babie's temperature). It's the same rule of thumb that
    goes for hot tubs.
    
    I was having lots of muscle discomfort when I was pregnant and was
    *told* to use a heating pad (with the above restrictions and only for
    short periods of time) as well as told to take warm baths on an as
    needed (almost nightly) basis. I guess that it really depends upon the
    Doctor.
    
    I also used an herbal concoction a few times when I was *really*
    uncomfortable that was okayed by my midwife. Placebo or not (your
    believe system here) the herbs seemed to make a tremendous difference
    and allowed me to get some sleep on nights when the pain was really
    bad.
    
    				Wendy

    Doc had suggested the heating pad for me too; as long as it is
    localized to the problem area (and not on baby for too long!) its
    okay. You may want to refrain from using it with your egg-crate foam
    though; if its flammable its a good idea to keep those electrical
    things away from it too. 
    
    I am surprised about the news about codeine. I was under the impression
    that this was a strict no-no in all that I have heard and read about.
    I have been paying special attention to this, as codeine is one of 
    the few things that will work on my migraines and I sorely miss
    it in my time of abstinence. (read: 7 months of pregancy last year
    and 8 months of pregnancy to the present). Its been a long two years,
    and with breast feeding yet to come, I suppose that effective 
    migraine relief is sometime away. At least I am not suffering from
    them as often.
    
    Its a real shame though that anti-inflammitory drugs (used for
    backaches) are aspirin based -- just the thing we can't use
    either..8-(.
    
    Monica

    I was given tylenol with codeine by my doctor after mys son was born.
    I was told that it was ok in moderation while breast feeding.  You may
    be able to use it for your migranes.  The bigger concern was being able
    to handle to baby safely because it made me sleepy and dopey.
    
    				Mary

    I bought one of the egg crate mattresses at lunch today and cannot wait
    to try it out. Anything to help me sleep! I will let you know if it 
    works or not. I go to the doctor's tommorrow, so I will see what he
    says. I can also relate to the YE OLE MIGRAINES! Thank god I have had
    only 2 since being with child, but I cannot take the tynol & codeine
    it makes me sick. I take a drug called Midrin for mine, but I cannot
    take it becuase of the baby. I love it when someone says to me, "Take
    some Tyenol". HA HA. I will have to ask the doctor if I will be able
    to take it after because I will be breasting feeding also.
    Oh well, if it is not one thing it is another.
    
    Sherry
    
    

    
    (seem to have a lot to say in this stream)
    
    	I was given Percodan (I have an allergy to codeine) after Spencer's
    birth (I really needed some pain management for the first 48 hours) and
    although I was told to be careful and that it would probably make the
    baby drowsy (I was nursing) they considered the benifits to the mother
    to outweigh the risk to the baby, I was allowed the medication every
    4-6 hours if I requested it. 
    
    	After the 48 hours I was able to go to Tylenol with no problem.
    
    	All I can say is thank God I was able to have it and I would do it
    again (even though in today's society you are made to feel like a child
    abuser if you so much as take a Tylenol while pregnant).
    
    				Wendy

    When I was about 6 months along I developed sciatica in my lower right
    side of my hip.  For awhile I could hardly move, especially in the
    morning.  My OB referred me to a Physical therapist who performed some
    heat treatments (only 5 minutes on the specific area) massage and
    a sort of acupuncture.  It took about 5 sessions but it became better
    and the massages were great.  I missed the sessions when they were
    over.  Very relaxing.
    
    Michelle
    

    
    This may sound crazy but...I was given Fiorinal (sp?) when I developed
    migraines during my pregnancy.  Everyone frowns when I tell them, and I
    too questioned if it was okay for the baby, but I was reassured by 2
    different doctors that as long as they weren't abused, and only in
    need, that it would be fine.  I was thankful, because I had never
    experienced them (migraines) before, and was not, to say the least, 
    *thrilled* when they appeared.
    
    Chris
     

    Chris, this surprises me a lot since fiorinal, my usual drug of choice
    is one of those strict no-no's during pregnancy. As a matter of fact, a
    lot of doctors won't prescribe the stuff any more since it's considered
    dangerous and implicated in various kidney problems. The fiorinal I
    take has codeine, caffeine, aspirin and barbituates in it. Some forms
    do not have the codeine. 
    And yes, it's WONDERFULLY effective. It sure beats tylenol which I 
    usually describe as a "spit in the ocean" when it comes to pain 
    relief.....
    
    Monica

    
    Beleive me Monia, I was very suprised myself. But this was my first 
    pregnancy, and didn't actually realise what the med was (generic name)
    until a few months went by...  When I needed a refill, I was at an appt 
    with another OB in the office, and she refilled the prescription with 
    no questions what-so-ever...so I just assumed it was okay.
    
    I'm pretty sure it would of been "without" codeine, because my dr knew I
    was allergic to it. Maybe that was why. ANd also, like I said, it was
    used only in "dire" need, maybe a dozen times in 9 months...if that.
    
    Not sure, but this was just my experience....  So far, Michael is fine,
    and no side effects.
    
    Chris
    
    (waiting to hear your good news!)
     

    In regards to the back problems, I have been going to a physical
    therapist, who uses a sort of acupressure and general massage to loosen
    the point of pain and remove the referenced pain (from when I try to
    adjust my walk or position away from the pained area).  Started because
    I could not get out of the car without lifting my leg out with my
    hands.  This at 4 months!!! the thought of 8 months weight sent me to
    the therapist.  She is in Worcester, and I see her every 2 weeks, let
    me know if you want her name.  
    
    In regards to heat vs. cold, the therapist recommends heat for general
    aches and cold for point pains.  Cycle 20 minutes on and 30 off (giving
    the area a chance to come back to temperature), for 3 cycles--I usually
    lean back on the ice pack while watching TV on bad evenings.  I had a
    prejudice against ice (how on earth could that be comfortable???), but
    have found it to be amazingly helpful.  I add Epson salts baths and 
    sleepy time tea as needed, and massages (general ones, not point
    specific) from my husband when possible.
    
    Good luck!  I know how this hurts...
    
    Adrienne
    

    I second chiroracters.  I had miserable pingched nerves and one leg
    which would go dead when I walked with lolita.  11 years later when I
    was pregnant with carrie, I was already seeing a chiro for other
    issues, and she kept me adjusted through my pregnancy, no pinched
    nerves this time (hooray).  
    
    I also used T3's on occaision for migraines while I was pregnant with
    carrie, my DO felt that a few T3's were better than my living in dark
    rooms for a few days at a time.  (I had pregnancy triggered migraines
    after 6 months).

    Not to start a rathole but, chiropracters aren't always the way to go. 
    I have a brother who will be an invalid for the rest of his life
    because of one.
    
    Lori B.