Sciatic Nerve Problems During Pregnancy

Updated on April 01, 2008
C.G. asks from Folsom, CA
7 answers

Hi, I am in my 7th month of pregnancy and having sciatic nerve pain on my left side that runs down my leg. Does anyone have any ideas on how to relieve the pain besides the heating pad and tylenol? Thanks!

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B.D.

answers from Sacramento on

You might want to see a chiropractor.

My husband had this problem and MORPHINE didn't even help, so don't let it get too bad.

A chiropractor can adjust the discs in your back and maybe relieve some of the nerve pinch. He/she can also give you suggestions on some stretches to help strengthen the muscles around without hurting the baby. Of course you want to go to a chiropractor who has dealt with pregnancy adjustments before. ;-)

2 moms found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,

I had the same problem when I was pregnant and the chiropractor was the only thing that help. She adjusted me and also used the "cold laser" on it and it really helped. She also had me do stretches.

Hope you feel better!

J.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Chico on

Hi C.,

This is stricly a chiropractic problem. See one as soon as you possibly can. The chiropractor can put your body back in proper adjustment. It may take a few trips for complete relief if you have let this go on too long. Once you feel better, you will want to continue with regular "tune ups" (at the very least through the rest of your pregnancy and after your baby arrives) to keep the problem from returning.

Wishing good health to you,
L.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Sorry to hear it, I had that with my two pregnancies. Try laying on the opposite side to take the pressure off of the nerve. And I hate to say it, but a doughnut pillow is really helpful also, as it distributes weight when you are sitting - relieving pressure.

Blessings :)

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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I'm really sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable. I had similar pain during my pregnancy with DS (now 2) and remember it being a literal pain the the ass!

Talk to your doctor. I was told that sciatica happens when muscles etc in your back swell and cause the sciatic nerve to rub and get irritated. I was advised by my dr NOT TO USE HEAT since that only increases the inflamation. She told me to ice the middle of my back (not in the butt or leg when the pain was) to reduce the swelling around the nerve and take tylenol.

Also be forewarned, a lot of stretches that FEEL good to your but and or leg actually make sciatica worse because they agrivate your back where the problem really is.

HTH
T.

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C.L.

answers from Fresno on

I had the same problem during pregnancy and I would sit in a hot bath (not filled up all the way) for about 10 minutes and that helped a lot. I didn't really want to take too much medicine.
My OB/GYN told me I should not go to the Chiropractor at all during pregnancy and so I didn't try that.

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S.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Try the pidgeon pose: http://video.about.com/pregnancy/Prenatal-Yoga-Pigeon-Pos...

but don't continue if you find it aggravates the condition.

You can also do a version of this in a chair.

I suggest taking a prenatal yoga class. A good teacher can offer different poses for you to try.

P.S. You may want to try ice. I would think that too much continual heat may worsen the inflammation.

S. Arthur
yoga teacher in San Francisco

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