I am 7 months pregnant and am having a real hard time sleeping at night. My back is KILLING me! I have aches and pains in my legs too - almost like "growing pains" What did you do to relieve this pain?
2006-08-01 07:26:19 · 18 answers · asked by Brooke's Mommy 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I cannot pick the best answer for this question as all of them are very helpful! I did take the advice of drinking more fluids, stretching my legs before bed and buying a body pillow. That is from the advise of most of you helpful ladies. Thank you so much. MUAH!
2006-08-03 08:09:05 · update #1
Drink lots of water throughout the day, it will keep dehydration at bay which can help prevent leg cramps. Be sure to alternate periods of sitting and standing/walking also. Do some light calf stretches before bed too, that can also ward off leg cramps. For your back be sure to take it easy during the day and sit up straight...get a pregnancy pillow to sleep with. Not just a wedge that goes between the legs, but a full one to almost wrap yourself in...it can do wonders in helping you get the rest you need!
2006-08-01 07:41:58 · answer #1 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that leg cramps are a sign of either dehydration or calcium deficiency. Make sure you're drinking enough and taking your vitamins. Try a pregnancy pillow to help with the sleeplessness. It's safe to take Tylenol PM once or twice a week if you really don't sleep at all for days. You can also investigate ways to get your baby to change positions so he or she is not resting on your back. I'm due Friday so I feel your pain but these techniques worked for me. I'm still not sleeping great but at least I get 5 or 6 hours a night. Good luck.
2006-08-01 08:02:33 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found the only way I could get comfortable was to lay on my side & put a pillow (or 2, or one folded in half) between my legs, put the edge of one pillow under my belly, & another pillow against my back. For the pains in your legs, I know this is easier said than done but, try to keep your legs up as much as you can during the day. When you have the pain massage your legs until the pain goes away, also when you get the pain point your toes down as far as you can it will help (I know it sounds weird but my doc told me to do it & it does help). Good luck & congrats on the baby.
2006-08-01 10:11:47 · answer #3 · answered by sweetamberwaves 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ended up in a perinatal physical therapy program for my back and leg pain. I had no idea my pelvic bones were out of alignment. Once I was "adjusted" and did some exercises, the pain went away. However, I was told that labor itself could bring the problem back. Talk to your OB/GYN about your pain-they should be able to do something about it. I'm 15 weeks pregnant with #2, and had experienced some mild back pain, but some major hip pain. I invested into a body pillow, and have had a good night's sleep every night since then! Good luck to you and your baby!!
2006-08-01 08:22:00 · answer #4 · answered by geminiparody4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem, try sleeping with a body pillow, or if you own a boppy and some cusions place the cusions on the floor with an opening, place the boppy in the open space, open side down and lay on your stomach (belly in the opening of the boppy)it should release the stress on your back. Also for your legs use heating pad, wrap it around the leg, or if it is both lay on your side and put the pad between them.. it will relax the muscles... you have a lot of weight your body isn't used to and your muscles are having a hard time relaxing at night. also ask your ob, mine let me use aleve it helped a lot.
2006-08-01 07:40:59 · answer #5 · answered by alleeshia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually I put pillows on my back, under my belly and in between my legs and I sleep comfortably. But sometimes pains do get bad so I just take some tylenol before bed and sleep with all of those pillows!!
2006-08-01 07:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a personal massager, one you can keep near the bed in case of an ache. use ice packs or heat packs. get a massage. keep your feet elevated. drink lots of water. do some light stretching every day. do a in home yoga video tape to relax. lift your legs, bend your knees, make them straight, do this over and over about 10 times, get the blood flowing. go on 15 or 20 min walks everyday around your neighborhood. hope I helped :) Congrats on your new baby!!!!!
2006-08-01 10:12:25 · answer #7 · answered by Audra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got a real good cream (kind of like ben gay or something.) I put it on every night just before I layed down. That was the only way I could sleep at night. I would always ask your doctor before doing anything though.
Good luck!
2006-08-01 10:04:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Body pillow. Get one! Hug it at night and shove it underneath your belly. It will help to align your back correctly which should help the aches and pains.
2006-08-01 08:13:10 · answer #9 · answered by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
congratulations on ur pregnancy.for a pregnant lady it is always advised 2 sleep on ur left side.it has something 2 do with u the stomach not pressing over the uterus or something.also keep ur legs raised a little higher than ur body.this is to prevent swelling of ur legs.drinks lots of water.ask ur partner 2 lightly massage ur lower back or just move his handswith very slight pressure on ur back.good luck with ur pregnancy and wish u a safe and happy delivery.
2006-08-01 07:36:31 · answer #10 · answered by nishap 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋