Question
I am 8 months from my last pregnancy and I have back pain throughout my pregnancies.  Now it hurts after I have been laying down sleeping for 4 hours or more.  Once I get up it feels better after a few mins.  It doesn't hurt at first.

What should I do?

Answer
Jessica,

You need to find someone who will do the "Prone Instability Test" on you.   Go ahead and google this:  Prone Instability Test and Lower Back Pain.   You'll see it come up right away.    If you have a positive test, then you need to do stability exercises, e.g.:  prone plank, side plank, and prone "bird dog" opposite arm/leg on a physioball.   You also could be dealing with a degenerative (decaying) joint, sort of like an osteoarthritic joint, and this would ache and hurt in bed and feel better after moving around or getting into a hot shower.   You need someone to test you a bit to know how to proceed with treatment.   If you are anywhere near Charlotte, contact Jim Eubanks, DC.   He may be reached by calling the OrthoCarolina Spine Center.   Otherwise you can likely look at a listing of DC's in Charlotte.   You'll be in good hands if you find him, and if you're not near him he could direct you.      

'Best,

Dr. G