All what you have to know about Sciatica during pregnancy

Why do I have sciatica during pregnancy?

Contrary to popular belief, pregnancy does not increase the risk of sciatica. Pain caused by pregnancy tend to focus on the pelvis and back rather than around the sciatic nerve. Most women who think they have sciatica during pregnancy, they actually suffer from pain in the pelvic area.

Sciatica is not caused by the baby's pressure on the nerve. For young women, it is often the result of a disc lesion that causes swelling around the nerve or a herniated disc. Among older women, it can be due to compression of  ligament

These situations are not more common during pregnancy, and it is likely that if you suffer from sciatica during pregnancy, you would have also suffered if you had not been pregnant.

What are the symptoms, signs of sciatica?

You will feel a throbbing pain, like a burn, which comes and goes and often unilateral. You may fell pain in the lower back, the back of the thigh and the back of the calf down to the foot. You also may feel a burning sensation, tingling in a leg and numbness, or tingling in a leg or foot. The pain can be localized or, on the contrary, affect the entire leg.

How to treat sciatica?

Consult your GP or gynecologist and ask him to address you to a physical therapist who will take care of you.

He may also indicate, exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and the abdominal and back muscles. It will also advise you probably wear a pregnancy belt; under your belly, it will relieve the pressure on your spine. He may want to see you regularly during your pregnancy to check that your sciatic nerve continues to work well.

Half of people with sciatica heal within six weeks and almost all (90%) in 12 weeks. Anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve your pain if sciatica persists after the birth of your baby, but it's better to avoid it during pregnancy.

Other therapies may be helpful, including osteopathy and chiropractic, but it is essential that you consult a licensed practitioner.

Some tips to relieve your sciatica

• Apply a hot water bottle or ice pack on the painful area for about ten minutes; it will relieve you and it is also safe during pregnancy.

• Wear flat and flexible shoes that will limit the vibrations of the spine when you walk. Be aware that some women prefer to wear shoes with a small heel to relieve their back pain

• Watch your posture and try to keep your back slightly curved. When you are sitting, support your spine with a small pillow or rolled towel on itself.

• Avoid carrying heavy loads. If you have to lift something, turn you always bending knees and keeping your back straight.

• Listen to your body and stop what you are doing when you have pain.

• Move and avoid staying immobile for too long contrary to received ideas.

• Support your stomach with pillows and cushions when you are lying in your bed