Pregnancy is known to be accompanied by a number of discomforts and even pains, whereby none comes close to a condition known as sciatica. It presents as jolts of pain at the lower back, buttocks and the back of the leg.
It’s caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs through the aforementioned areas of the body. As unpleasant as it sounds, sciatica is unfortunately quite common. It might surprise you to know that every pregnant woman would probably experience some sort of sciatica pain at least once during the duration of their pregnancy. Sciatica shows up mostly during the second and third trimesters when the growing fetus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Let’s find out more about it.
In pain? Know if it’s sciatica or not
When you’re pregnant, you can expect that your nine months will be accompanied by pains (which will be more like discomforts) and aches due to your increasing weight, hormones, and other causes. Normally, these pains are bearable and most women can tolerate them. And then there’s sciatica pain, which is different from other pains that you may feel at your back or leg.
The pains caused by sciatica are shooting pains that can be sharp and/or jolting. They tend to run down the leg, and they may begin from the buttocks. You can have sciatica with or without backache and it can send pain down one of your legs. It may also be felt down the outer side of your calf to your foot and toes. It’s unlikely that you will miss it or mistake it for ordinary pregnancy pains.
Treating sciatica
Your doctor may refer you to a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, a specialist in treating injuries and conditions which affect the muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Request for someone who specialises in women’s health or pregnancy health, who can guide you in the best ways to safely treat the pain.
This will usually include exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, tummy muscles and back. You’ll also be shown ways to improve your posture. Follow-up check-ups may be necessary throughout your pregnancy to check on the condition and functions of your nerves.
As serious as sciatica can be in terms of the pain it causes, in most cases, women can expect to feel results with proper care, within 10 days to two weeks. It may take a little longer for pregnant women with acute sciatica, about four weeks to 12 weeks or longer, but rest assured that with adequate treatment and care, relief can be found.
Treating sciatica with medication
You may have a high threshold for pain, but as mentioned earlier, sciatica is no ordinary pain and sooner or later you may find yourself seeking some relief from those shooting pains down your lower body. As the most common painkiller, paracetamol is relatively safe for pregnant women, although it’s always better to ask your doctor or pharmacist about how much to take and for how long.
What you can do at home for relief
Hot or cold compresses: Apply a heat pack and an ice pack at alternate times to the painful area to help reduce the pain. Remember though to avoid placing any kind of hot or cold packs directly on your skin. – Use a light towel or flannel cloth as a buffer first. This alternating between hot and cold compresses works for many women.
Move around! There is a difference between resting and being in bed or even sitting down for too long. Remaining sedentary for too long may lead to sciatic nerve pains or worsen an already existing condition. Move around as much as you possibly can.
Practice good posture. Watch your posture and for as much as possible, keep your back slightly and comfortably arched. Keep a maternity pillow or even a rolled-up towel at hand to help support your spine whenever you’re seated.
No lifting heavy items. Avoid it at all costs!. If you do have to lift something, which isn’t heavy, bend your knees and keep your back straight. Keep the object you’re lifting close to your body.
Be aware of bodily clues. If an activity you’re doing seems to worsen your sciatic pain, stop doing it at once, and try to avoid that particular activity in the future.
The safest sleeping position. Sleep on your side and use a pillow or two tucked between your knees. A maternity pillow will help. Sleeping on your side is best for your baby – by the third trimester, it reduces your risk of complications compared to lying on your back.
Be comfortable in your footwear. You may not realise it but the impact of walking increases the jarring of your spine, which may make your pain worse. Comfortable shoes with a special insole that help absorb impact may help.
Move around! Sitting for long and poor posture apparently can lead to sciatica. So, if you’re pregnant, try to stay as active as you can (check with your doctor if you intend to enroll in an exercise program)
Try a maternity girdle, belt or band. These are quite comfortable to wear and they help to lift the uterus a little bit and distribute the weight more evenly, and in doing so, provide relief from sciatic pains.
Postnatal sciatica
For some women with sciatica during their pregnancy, the condition may remain even after giving birth. As with any condition that involves the spine, posture is important when standing, walking and sitting. In this case, it also includes posture while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, for you’ll be holding your baby and sitting down for quite some time. It’s important to feel at ease and comfortable when you’re nursing your baby, so try out different positions until you determine which is best for you.
Here are some helpful tips:
- To ease night time feeding, particularly if you breastfeed, try lying on your side, with your painful side up. This relieves the pressure on your spine, which can help provide some relief from sciatic pains. Laid-back breastfeeding may help too, as your baby is supported on your body. If you prefer to breastfeed in a sitting position, sit on a straight-backed chair. Raise your baby to your breast with a pillow or cushion and keep your feet flat on the floor.
- When changing your baby’s diapers, try to get the job done on a changing station rather than on the floor.
- Remember too that when you’re lifting your baby, keep your back straight, bend your knees and avoid twisting movements.
- Keeping generally active will help to prevent sciatica from becoming a long-standing issue. Consult your doctor or even a certified yoga practitioner for advise on the best kinds of exercise to help you deal with sciatica effectively and safely.
