Skin feels so tight - is this really normal? I feel so uncomfortable

My belly is super tight and feeling pretty hard. The tightness is really uncomfortable. My left rib feels like it's bruised. So much pulling... ugh what can I do to make myself feel better??

Plus my upper back is KILLING me. I had a sciatica attack a few days ago... thank GOD that subsided..but now I have terrible upper back pain... what is the deal here?

Re: Skin feels so tight - is this really normal? I feel so uncomfortable

I feel like I'm the UTI police, but definitely make sure it's not a UTI. I had such TERRIBLE back pain at around 24 weeks or so. I went for a massage and it made it worse. I was in TEARS from the pain and couldn't move. I went to the doc and she did a dip test and confirmed it was a BAD UTI. Who knew?? I had NO other symptoms... weird. They put me on antibiotic and tested to make sure I wasn't having contractions. Turns out, it caused my cervix to shorten and set off pre-term labor. I'm at 34 weeks now, but I've been on medicine and bed rest and it was all because of that hidden UTI.

That's why I always make sure people check for UTI's since they cause a LOT of trouble in pregnancy. It has become my mission in life!

The stomach tightening sounds like Braxton Hicks.

Good luck and feel better!!