For most parents, pregnancy is a miraculous and wonderful experience. However, it’s important to remember that pregnancy can also come with a lot of challenges and discomforts for the mother-to-be. One of the things you might suffer from during pregnancy is sciatica – which can be a very painful experience. But what exactly is sciatica, and how can you deal with it during pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant and suffering from sciatica, you know just how excruciating the pain in your lower back and legs can be. It’s tough to get comfortable, and even tougher to get up from sitting or lying down. This condition, called “pregnancy-related sciatica” by medical professionals, can be very painful indeed.
What’s happening is the pregnant mother’s sciatic nerve is getting squeezed by the weight of the baby. Sciatica during pregnancy can occur at any time, but it usually happens during the second and third trimesters. That’s because the baby gets bigger as the pregnancy goes on, and starts to settle lower in the mom’s belly.
Back pains and aches in the legs are common among pregnant mothers, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re suffering from sciatica. As the baby continues to grow, it becomes more common for pregnant mothers to experience these pains. This is why it’s important to eat healthily, take the prescribed supplements your doctor orders, and continue your exercise regimen with your doctor’s supervision – so you can have a healthy pregnancy.
Sciatica during pregnancy is characterized by sudden, severe pain or numbness in the lower back or legs. In some cases, it can also cause numbness in the pelvic or groin area. If you experience any of these symptoms during pregnancy, it’s important to contact your doctor right away.
There are a few things you can try to prevent pregnancy-related sciatica:
Maintaining a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is important for many reasons. One of which is that if you exceed the recommended weight gain, it can put extra pressure on your sciatic nerve, which can lead to compression and sciatica.
Compression on the sciatic nerve. To avoid this, try to get up and walk around for a few minutes every half hour or so if possible. If you have a sedentary job that requires you to sit at a desk all day, make sure to take frequent stretch and walk breaks to keep your body moving.
Walking is an excellent exercise for pregnant women as it helps improve circulation and blood flow, especially in the legs. We recommend that you walk for at least 30 minutes a day, or three times a week.
Sleeping during the third trimester can be difficult, but it’s important to find a comfortable position to avoid sciatica. Instead of lying on your back, try lying on your side with pillows to support your bag and legs. This will help you get the rest you need without aggravating your sciatica.
Symptoms of sciatica may still show up even when you’re doing everything right during pregnancy. If you experience any of the symptoms below, be sure to consult with a medical professional as soon as possible to discuss your options and come up with a plan.
