This week has been brutal in the back pain department. I've always had a little trouble with upper back pain, but several times this week, the pain led me to tears. I engaged in some major intervention and booked a last minute prenatal massage, and that helped a little bit. I've been taking (probably) too much Tylenol, and feeling guilty about it. But the pain is keeping me from sleeping well and my days at work on my feet all day are torture without adequate sleep. I was back to 2-3 hour naps every evening this week, just because I wasn't sleeping soundly at night. I also called my OB's office to either get reassurance that the amount of Tylenol was ok, or a magical solution, because I cannot handle this for another 20 weeks, especially knowing that it will only get worse. My OB's nurse suggested putting in a referral to a Physical Therapist, so I am going there on Monday afternoon. Hopefully that will lead to something that will ease some of this intense shooting upper back pain that I've got going on. Besides going to work, it pretty much makes me immobile for the rest of my waking hours. I sleep, lay on the couch with a heating pad, sleep, work, and repeat.
I also decided to take things to the next level at work and be proactive. According to Dr. Barbara Luke in When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads, "women (that are pregnant with multiples) who stand more than six hours at a time triple their risk of preterm birth... In the course of an 8 hour shift, an expectant mother of multiples should lie down and rest at least twice for a minimum of 20-30 minutes each time." While that is pretty much impossible at school, I did decide that I should attempt at least some semblance of her recommendation. I am lucky enough to have a 12' by 12' storage room in my classroom, so I hauled a cot we use for camping to school and set it up in my storage room. I have been able to lay down for about 15 minutes after lunch each day since I set it up. I feel silly about it, but I came to the conclusion a long time ago that my babies' health is top priority, everything else be damned. So now my kindergartners can really say that their teacher sleeps at school, because there's a bed to prove it. I hope if I actually DO fall asleep, they will wake me up when they get back to the classroom, or that could be a major problem...
10 comments:
I hope the PT is able to relieve your back pain. Good for you for setting up the cot. Your health and the babies' health are most important!
Ugh I am so sorry you are feeling this way. I know that I cannot do it for much longer at my job. I came home today practically hobbling because my my lower back, hips, and really my entire pelvic area. It sucks. Take care of yourself (and your precious babies)FIRST!
My upper back hurts too!! I was thinking it was from laying on my side to sleep all the time...I dunno...guess that wouldnt' really hurt it. But I'm worried because if I stay on this track...it will probably become more amplified like yours has. Hmmm...maybe I should get it looked into early.
I've been trying to lay down on my lunch break too. I have a couch in my classroom and there is a couch in the staff lounge...my coworkers laughed at me at first, but when I told them about the book they agreed that I should do all that I can! I always sit during recess duty too...I've gotten pretty good at projecting my voice...plus I've found that I'm more approachable (for kids) when I'm lower to the ground and have had some very meaningful and interesting conversations with some of the kindergarteners...its kindof fun!
I am sorry about your back pain - that stinks. Good move on the cot though!
I hope te PT relieves your back pain and I'm so proud of you for taking that cot to your school! Your babies come first and you came up with a pretty good solution given your job requirements. I hope you don't wake up to markers all over your arms and face or paint, lol!
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I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with your back pain. I found that hugging a pillow at night eased this for me. I didn't have one but I have heard great things about the snoogle.
It is hard to do but later in my pregnancy I trained my students to get up and line up to see me rather than the usual getting up and walking around the room. I had horrible swelling and was told to stay off my feet as much as possible. I had my lowest kids sit at the table I was at and the rest of my class just came up to me. You and your babies are number one! Good job setting it as a priority and keep working at keeping it as your number one goal.
I hope PT eases your back pain! Feel better and take care of all 3 of you!
Insurance is always a pain! Its crazy that they covered pretty much everything of IF for us and have issues with GD! Though, I should be thankful that we have not had to spend as much till now!
I love Dr. Barbara Luke's book... though the amount of weight gain she suggests startles me a little bit! :P Anyhow... anything for healthy babies!
About the SUV, we are stuck on a Volvo XC90. It just seems like once we get a family car, it is going to stay with us for quite some time... and on top of it, with twins... a 5 seater seems a waste... if there is any additional company (w/o their own car) we will have to haul two cars around! We are also considering a Highlander and Pilot... I still can't get myself to think of a minivan (no matter how many Mom's swear by it)! BTW, since you are looking at Sienna, I have heard a lot of folks prefer the safety features of Odyssey over Sienna (I personally have not done any research)... you might wanna check it out.
BTW... one of the blogs I follow... when she was prep'ing (shopping) for her babies, she had mentioned that BRU gives a 10% discount for twins on big ticket items... I haven't enquired yet, but you might want to check it out!
OMG, Katie, I feel your pain. I am having a terrible back day today. I mentioned that to my mom this morning and she said, "Can you imagine how much worse it would be if you were carrying twins?" So, yeah- I can only imagine. Ouch. Hopefully PT will help.
The cot is a great idea! Way to put yourself first! I sure hope those aches ease up soon.
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