Pregnancy back pain is the bane of my life. Okay, maybe that statement is a little on the dramatic side but if you’ve been reading my pregnancy updates you’ll know it’s been one of my most frustrating symptoms to date. I thought back pain was something pregnant ladies only struggled with at the very end of their pregnancy due to the size of their bump but boy was I wrong!
Due to my slight build my bump started to show pretty early and unfortunately so did the back pain. My job in a primary school means I’m on my feet and bending down all day which definitely made the pains worse. I searched far and wide online and asked around to find the best ways to overcome that dreaded pregnancy back pain and thought I’d write a post to help others struggling.
The main thing that has helped me with back pain and is continuing to help me everyday is the Carriwell Over Belly Support Belt. I was recommended the belt by my favs at JoJo Maman Bebe. They stock a few different types of pregnancy supports but spoke of the Carriwell belt as ‘the best’ and I totally agree! The belt comes in two different colour opinions, black and white and two sizes. The belts are also adjustable using the side straps which you can see in the picture below so will fit throughout your whole pregnancy. You can buy a Carriwell support belt and read a little more about them on JoJo Maman Bebe’s website.
It easy to tighten and loosen the belt throughout the day and can be done quickly with no effort which is super important for me as I can’t leave my 30 4 and 5 year old children unattended in the classroom. The belt can be worn subtly under clothes so won’t spoil your professional work clothes or date night outfits but can also be worn without clothes so you can continue to wear it while you’re comfy at home or in your jammies. As soon as I pop my belt on in the morning I feel an instant relief from the pressure of my bump. The material of the support band is cool and breathable but you can also fold down the top part if you’d prefer. I can wear my belt all day and be completely comfortable and I feel it makes a real difference both in supporting my bump and at minimising the back pain.
Although the Carriwell support belt is completely safe to wear at night (and I’ll probably resort to wearing it when I get further along) I’ve liked to give my bump a little break while I sleep. I’ve been using a hot water bottle with my favourite pregnancy support pillow from Summer Infant to help ease the pain at night alongside my super comfy new Leesa mattress.
The final thing I’ve been doing to help ease my back pain is taking part in pregnancy yoga. I don’t have the confidence to go to classes but I’ve been following along with YouTube videos. Some exercises are floor work where you sit on a raised block (a thick hardback book works too if you don’t want to invest in proper yoga equipment!) and some incorporate my birth ball which I like as it gives me practice and helps me get used to it ready for birth. My Carriwell belt is particularly great for the floor work as the band lifts your bump a little and helps to support your core muscles as you bend and stretch.
