Sciatica is a prevalent condition that can occur at various times in life and cause back and leg pain. Although pregnancy is exciting, it also causes various aches and pains, including sciatica.
It's no surprise that you may have back pain as your belly grows, but you're not automatically doomed to suffer sciatica during pregnancy. Some various hacks and tips allow you to enjoy your growing bump without excruciating back pain.
At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Shachi Patel and her team provide pain management services for various conditions, including sciatica. Dr. Patel also offers holistic therapies and tips to keep you and your baby safe while providing expert pain relief.
A little bit of back pain during the nine months of pregnancy is expected and is very common. But back pain during pregnancy shouldn't be so bad that you can't function.
Sciatica is a problem where the large sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or pinched, causing various symptoms that include:
Some pregnant women encounter sciatica during gestation for various reasons. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back into the buttocks and down each leg, ending just below the knees.
During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin prepares your body for birth by widening the hips and relaxing the ligaments. However, it often causes the joints to become unstable.
As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts, which allows the tissues to pinch or trap the sciatic nerve, which leads to pain. The bigger the baby gets, the more likely you are to have sciatic symptoms.
The good news is that you can adjust and use some tips to avoid sciatica while pregnant. Dr. Patel offers the following tricks to avoid back and leg pain during pregnancy:
Maternity support garments, or pelvic girdles, are very helpful in avoiding and relieving sciatica. The goal is to lift and support your growing belly to redistribute your weight evenly, taking pressure off the nerve.
Stretching during each trimester is a great way to relieve muscle tension and back pain related to sciatica. Use gentle stretches that target the back and abdominal muscles, which help support the extra weight and allow you to maintain good posture.
A massage is a great way to relax and unwind, especially during pregnancy. A prenatal massage relieves pain and tension caused by your changing body, especially in your back. The best part is that it's safe for both you and your baby.
Relaxin causes the ligaments and joints to relax during pregnancy, often leading to pain and joint movement. A chiropractor adjusts your spine to release tension and realign the joints to improve sciatic pain.
Practicing good posture is always a good idea, but it's especially crucial during pregnancy. Staying up straight when a large belly protrudes forward isn't easy. Still, it's vital to avoid severe sciatic nerve pain.
The good news is that if your sciatica happens purely because of pregnancy, it usually goes away after childbirth. However, most women don't want to go their entire pregnancy dealing with severe back and leg pain.
As your belly grows and the baby gets bigger, it's more likely that you'll experience more severe symptoms of sciatica. Although tips and tricks to keep your sciatic nerve safe can help, they only work for some.
If you're struggling with sciatica symptoms during pregnancy and can't seem to control it on your own, Dr. Patel can help. Although not all treatments for sciatica are safe during pregnancy, she customizes a plan specifically for your needs that provides relief and keeps your baby safe.
To find out more about our sciatica treatments, call our office in Newark, Delaware, today to schedule an appointment or request a consultation with Dr. Patel on our website.
