Sciatica During Pregnancy

Every mom-to-be goes through a lot of new experiences, starting from watching their belly grow to feeling the baby move for the first time. But along with these excitements come a few challenges. This only happens because your body is busy developing a human inside, which means it has to undergo a lot of changes that can bring about different aches and pains.

While many expectant mothers feel some minor back or hip pain, others might deal with a more severe ache called sciatica. It is quite common in pregnant women, but the good news is that it is temporary.

What is Sciatica Nerve Pain During Pregnancy?

Sciatica nerve pain in pregnancy is pain that travels from the lower back down through the buttocks, hips, and legs, and can often be sharp, shooting, or burning. It occurs when the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body, is compressed or irritated.

During pregnancy, the sciatica nerve pain typically occurs because:

• There is increased pressure put on the pelvis and on the lower spine from the growing uterus and baby.
• There are changes in hormones (primarily relaxin) that loosen the ligaments, which can create slight shifts in the spine and potentially pinch the sciatic nerve.
• Due to weight gain and changes in posture, a woman's center of gravity is altered, which puts additional stress on the lower back region.

The pain can vary from mild discomfort to severe, radiating pain, making walking, sitting, or standing difficult. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one leg can also occur in some women.

Although sciatica can be painful, it is often temporary, and usually gets better after the delivery when pressure is relieved from the nerve. It is safe for a woman to relieve discomfort in pregnancy with gentle stretching, prenatal yoga, warm compresses, and proper posture.

The Leading Causes of Sciatica During Pregnancy

Sciatica during pregnancy is often caused due to the following reasons—

• Expanding Uterus: The growing uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve in the lower part of your spine, causing pain.
• Weight Gain: Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but eventually your increased weight puts pressure on the nerve in your pelvis, leading to nerve pain and discomfort.
• Baby's Position: In the third trimester, when your baby is ready to be born, their head may put direct pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Changing Body Shape: Your growing belly and breasts tend to shift your body weight forward, stretching the curve above your hip. This can make the muscles in your buttocks and pelvic area tighten and squeeze the sciatic nerve.
• Herniated or Slipped Disc: Sometimes, the extra pressure from your growing uterus can cause a disc in your spine to herniate or slip, although this is quite uncommon during pregnancy.

Symptoms of Sciatic Pregnancy

The discomfort and pain can vary from mild to severe. You might feel a tingling sensation in one place and pain in another. Here are a few noticeable symptoms of sciatic nerve pain—

• Pain traveling down from your pelvis to the back of your leg
• A burning feeling or sensation in your lower back and buttocks
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling sensation in one leg or foot
• Sudden strong pain or ache, like an electric shock
• The discomfort increases when you sneeze, cough, or sit for a long time

What Do I Need to Know About Sciatica When Pregnant

Sciatica nerve pain usually occurs in the last three months of pregnancy, especially when you and your baby are getting bigger. However, it might start earlier in some cases. Most of the time, you feel the pain on one side, but at times, it can also be felt in both legs.

The Sciatica back pain depends on how much pressure is there on the nerve. Additionally, with increasing weight, the pain might get worse with time. It might even stick around for a few months after you have your baby until you lose that extra weight and fluid that is creating pressure on the nerve.

How to Treat Sciatica During Pregnancy

Sciatica during pregnancy takes time to heal and requires a lot of rest. Handling mild sciatic pain is easy, but the severe ones might cause a lot of discomfort. If you are dealing with immense pain, you can try certain over-the-counter medications, but remember to check with your doctor first to make sure they're safe for you and your baby.

Here are some simple tips you can do at home to ease the sciatic pain during pregnancy—

• Take a hot shower or use a heating pad to relax your thigh muscles.
• Avoid sitting or standing for too long.
• Practice correct pregnancy sleeping and sitting postures.
• Gentle movements, like walking or mild exercises and workouts, can be helpful. Make sure to avoid lifting heavy objects.
• Opting for prenatal massage and managing stress can improve circulation.
• Sleep on your side and find the right pregnancy pillow for support.

Try these home treatments for relief, but if your sciatica resumes even after your delivery, you may have to deal with postpartum sciatica. Therefore, it is always recommended to see your doctor when facing any such discomfort.

How to Prevent Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy?

• Keep your back in an aligned position when seated and standing.
• Limit prolonged standing or sitting whenever possible.
• Use a pregnancy pillow while sleeping on your side, between your knees
• Wear low-heeled shoes that provide proper arch support, specifically avoiding high heels.
• Perform slow, gentle stretching or prenatal yoga to avoid stiffening of muscles.
• Consider using pelvic tilts to assist in lowering back and core stability.
• Always use proper body mechanics to lift or bend.
• Use a warm pack to help stretch or relax stiff muscles.
• Maintain a healthy weight to minimize prolonged pressure against the sciatic nerve.
• Consider regular massages or physical therapy if your doctor recommends it, especially prenatal.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with sciatic pain can be challenging, especially during pregnancy, but following a few simple measures can help release the muscle tension and increase movement in your lower back, hips, and legs.

Eli & Elm understands the importance of your health and well-being, so we have got you the best pregnancy pillow to help you provide the much-needed support you deserve during your pregnancy journey.