Mid to Upper Back Pain During Pregnancy: Causes & When to Worry

Question
I am 29, this is my 4th pregnancy, and I am due on 1/22/05.  I have been experiencing mid to upper back pain for the last two days, I cannot find a way to get comfortable and an unsure if I should call the doctor.  I have a history of UTIs.  The pain is 8 out of 10, and sometimes feels more like a burning sensation.

Answer
Mid to upper back pain may be due to your posture or can be due to a slipped disk or a strained muscle. It does not sound like a UTI which usually causes lower back and flank pain or suprapubic pain. Certainly, you should notify your obstetrician if the pain is so great that you cannot carry on your daily activities. Try bed rest (on your left side) so as to improve perfusion and take the pressure of the uterus off the Vena Cava (the vein that brings blood back to the heart). Try a heating pad, warm showers, and Tylenol. You may need some medication that is stronger than Tylenol. That will have to be discussed with your obstetrician.