Back pain only while sleeping?

knottiea34b0abd9ba41826

I am pregnant for the first time and I am 15 weeks and 4 days. Over the last two weeks I have been experiencing back pain only while  sleep. I fall asleep fine and wake up with it. My OB said it is normal and likely hormone and position related since it’s only when I sleep. It is significantly affect my sleep, has anyone experienced this and have a suggestions? Thank you 

mariannie_

Back pain when sleeping can be really frustrating, when all we want is a good rest since we're exhausted most of the time. It is quite common during pregnancy though. I found that sleeping on my side helped ease it a lot. I also place a small pillow under my belly and another one between my knees for extra support.

knottie20b1d713250efb5a

Agreed, it really sucks. That's your body saying it's time to sleep on your side, I just did a long post reply for someone who is starting to have sciatica pains. I'll repost it here in case it gives you ideas or helps someone else.

I struggled with this in my first pregnancy early on (sciatica pain). Doc said it would go away after giving birth (it didn't). Saw the Ortho specialist, X-rays, went through 6 months of PT, 2 months of acupuncture, and it finally went away. Got pregnant right after, and now it's starting again 😅 but this time I have the tools to limit the pain.

Here are the things I do to minimize the pain (pregnancy #1 the pain was an 8/10, now 2/10 sometimes).
-During the day while working, I have a memory foam seat cushion for extra support. I ensure my lumbar also has support and I'm mindful of my posture
-i getup every 1-2 hours and walk a bit and stretch (when I'm sitting for a long time, like at work). I keep a small water glass at my desk and use refilling as a reminder to get up, even for only a few minutes 
-i never sit in a reclined position (pregnant). I've found it agitates my sciatica and that can last all day or days. So no reclining on the couch or in bed. I'm either sitting upright or sitting across legged. And again, even after a movie I stand up and stretch a little 
-Favorite stretches I learned in PT: figure four (modified pigeon in yoga). Touch your toes with knees slightly bent - and roll up and touch your hands overhead (modified sun salutation). Runners lunge. And swaying hips however feels good to stretch. Also stretch your hamstrings, those are connected to your glutes and lower back. Stretch your calves too.
-Pregnancy pillows - definitely. Right now I'm using the small wedge. For side sleeping I tuck it between my legs and generally switch sides as I wake up in the night. I also tuck it under one of my hips so I can lay on my back but at a slanted angle (switching hip sides throughout the night). Those are the 4 positions I use throughout the night to alleviate pressure on the hips and sciatica. Once I'm in the 3rd trimester, I'll bring out both wedges for support and the body pillow to use between my legs for hip support (sorry husband). The wedges go under the belly and behind the back for support.

How this helps!