I've recently been diagnosed with sciatica, I have pain in my back and front on one side and all down my legs. My GP says it's caused my some existing damage to my back that is being made worse by he growing baby, he also said it would get worse before it got better. I'm only 24 weeks pregnant and I don't know how I'm going to get to the end if I feel like this every day. Can anyone help me?

I had a bad problem with my pelvis when I was pg with No4. I ended up on crutches. Could you see a physiotherapist? That is what I did (hence the crutches).

Sorry for your pain.

I had this with dd1, and it is agony. You have my sympathies. I got to the point where I could only walk for any length of time if bombed out of my head on prescription-strength painkillers.

Firstly, get some pain relief. Most of the powerful painkillers are OK in the middle months of pregnancy, just not at the beginning or at the end (in case you go into labour and the baby is affected).

Secondly, go to a chiropracter who is experienced at dealing with pregnant women. They will assess you and will be able to offer some manipulation that may actually make a difference, unlike physios, who will do a lengthy assessment and then tell you there's nothing they can do. (That was my experience, anyway).

Thirdly, get the best supportive elasticated pregnancy belt you can lay your hands on. It won't make a huge difference but it may help a bit.

Pregnancy is not a great time to start Pilates, but if you can face it, I would strongly suggest you go to a studio and have some one-to-one sessions to try and strengthen your supporting muscles. Go to a specialist studio, not an ordinary gym, and talk to the head honcho. They may even offer the option of someone coming to you. And once you've recovered from the birth, take up Pilates more seriously, as your back will still be very vulnerable, esp. with a baby to lift and carry. I put a disc out at 6 weeks post-partum, and believe me you want to avoid that.

Do feel free to CAT me if you want more info or details.

hth

hth

Kate100, i know how bad sciatica can be, both dh and myself suffer from it.

Have you tried a warm wheatbag at the base of your back to help try and ease it.

Aaahhh! I suffered very badly with it.. & all I can say is GET THE BABY OUT!! Mine disappeared after giving birth! When are you due?

I had this with dd and the midwife advised going on all fours and lowering you arms so you bum is in the air as it takes pressure away... it worked for me when things got bad

I had physio for mine, (and dreadful debilitating back ache). She showed me better postures for standing, and how to use stomach muscles behing baby to take pressure off the back. She also massaged it - heavenly! Back ache did improve, but the sciatica was much worse afterwards, and I eventually had more physio (6 mths after birth), and injections in my spine to relieve it. It is fine now (2.5 years on)and I find keeping it very flexible and mobile in sport has contributed to this (something to think about later!), but I remeber I could not stand still for more than 10 seconds without the agonising pain in the side of my leg. I needed pain relief to sleep or shop. It will get better. Incidentally, my physio said do pilates, but I found this set it off (the stretches I think). I do yoga now, and no twinges at all.

Thanks for your support everyone, my GP had referred me to a physio and an orthapaedic surgeon, so hopefully they will be able to help.

I've been researching chiropractors and osteopaths, I don't know what the difference is, but they both claim to be able to help, do they?

I really don't want to spend the rest of my pregnancy sitting down, what kind of exercise do you think is OK? I've been swimming a kilometre 2 or 3 times a week, will I have to stop that? I forgot to ask the doctor.

MollyMooMin - I'm only 24 weeks, so having the baby is not really am option at the moment.

Hi Kate100 - Chiropractors and Osteos both use manipulation to re-align the spine, but osteos tend to be a bit more gentle, and to do some muscle work as well (massage, trigger points).
If you're in London, I have a lovely, gentle, and very experienced osteo. CAT me if you would like details.

Have you thought about accupunture? I've had a lot of sport related neck injuries, and found that this helped no end. My SIL had a herniated disk in her lower back and swore by accupuncture as part of her recovery plan.

hi
I can also recommend finding a chiropractor or osteopath experience in dealing with pregnant women. Especially if you have 16 weeks still to go.
In my personal experience, physios give you literature, props and exercises, but chiros and osteos actually address the root of the problem.