Sciatica when pregnant.........

[1sttimemama1986]

I am 39+6 weeks and first time mum.

3 days ago started feeling pain in leg, thigh, hip and lower back which progressed to the point I could barely put any weight on my right leg.

Midwife via phone said likely sciatica and to take paracetamol, and do stretches recommended on nhs choices website. I did some of these stretches with great difficulty and paracetamol did nothing.

Saw GP who agreed sciatica and advised to take co codamol. I didn't want to really as feel weird having it with baby, it also makes me feel really sick. But I gave in due to pain and have taken it as recommended for 2 days. It's not resulted in any periods of particular relief of the pain I've still not been able to walk without significant difficulty and wincing in pain.

I reached out to lady I've been doing pregnancy yoga with and she recommended some stretches. I've struggled to do these due to impact on mobility.

This has left me feeling really anxious and upset as everything I've learnt about labour, being active, getting into various positions to help cope with contractions etc particularly in early stages - feels completely impossible as I cant bend from my waist, get on my knees, stand or sit comfortably at the moment. So worried how I'm going to cope when I do go into labour.

Midwife didn't respond when I shared my anxieties. GP said I had high expectations that I could manage the sciatica pain without the co codamol and in response to my concerns about labour she was like well again your expectations of what labour may be like may not be the case. She was fairly blunt.

I appreciate anything could happen in labour and I'm open minded about pain relief etc not ruling anything out so feel I am being realistic. Feeling crappy and emotional but need to keep positive.

Is it normal to have lots of back and hip bones clicking with sciatica?

I'm considering not bothering with co codamol as not making much difference?

Any other suggestions re: sciatica pain-have hot water bottle at hand, trying to keep active however hard as this is what's been suggested.

Is it weird that sciatica was diagnosed without any examination or request to see how I move/don't move? Read some articles about common misdiagnosis of sciatica when actually SPD and some other pelvic condition.

Any views appreciated xx

[LumpishAndIllogical]

This is what babycentre.co.uk says:
'Am I more likely to get sciatica if I’m pregnant?
No, you are not more prone to sciatica if you are pregnant. During pregnancy, you may feel aches and pains in your pelvis and back, but these are unlikely to be related to the sciatic nerve. They are more likely to be caused by pelvic girdle pain (PGP), which is much more common and has some of the same symptoms as sciatica.

Sciatica is not caused by your baby pressing on a nerve. It is most often caused by damage to a disc in your spine leading to swelling around the nerve.'

I have spd/pgp quite bad (I use a crutch for walking and have had physio) and yes pain can be down one side, in buttocks, down my leg etc. It's due to pelvis not sitting right and causing uneven pressure and stress of certain joints. Very painful, maybe go back to GP? How understanding are they?

[LumpishAndIllogical]

P.s I have loads of clicking in lower back/pelvic joints and at front from Spd/pgp. Not sure it whether it's a symptom of sciatica

[Luckystar1]

I went to a physio who did one round of acupuncture and it went! Amazing! I could barely walk with the pain

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Sorry last thing. I have a crutch but maybe a walking stick might help for you? Also use hot water bottle on lower back too.

I am going to try a water birth to help support my weight and let me move around. Maybe an option for you.

Good luck xxx

[1sttimemama1986]

Thank you for this ladies X

Lumpishandillogical - what you've said is what I was thinking from what I have read online but gp and midwife didn't seem interested, got the impression it was easier to assume sciatica then bother considering anything else.

I wonder if it's because I'm so close to the end they're a bit like no point investigating it any further etc. yet the thought of going overdue by say up to 2 weeks with this pain is freaking me out.

I think a walking stick or crutch would help me get around having something to lean on would help loads I think. The pain moves before today sitting in a certain position has been fine but now sitting is really painful. Currently bouncing on ball.

I'm Disappointed that the health professionals comments have just left me feeling deflated and as though I'm being over the top. Yet others line you guys , friends my yoga teacher have been supportive which is comforting. But surely the gp and midwife could/should offer some reassurance!

[jcsc]

Hi
I am currently 30 weeks and suffering from a herniated disc and extreme sciatica down my left side. I was hospitalised last week and consultant said its only really safe to take paracetamol. They were trying to pump me full of opiut drugs which would have effected the baby.
I do suffer from back issues before pregnancy so mine isn't pregnancy related but has just made it worse.
I go to an osteopath once a week, use heat pads and a tens machine. I have a support belt and can no longer drive.
I sympathise with you. The pains unbearable. Maybe see an osteopath to see if they can help you
My consultant is actually considering inducing me early because of my back issues.
Sending lots of wishes X

[PirateSmile]

The only thing that worked for me was giving birth! When I saw how long ds was I realised why I'd been in so much pain. Now he's a teenager, and he's towering over me the pain has transferred to my neck

[1sttimemama1986]

Jcsc - gosh that sounds awful. Sympathies to you too xxx

Yes I think I will call it a day on the co codamol. It's not making a great deal of difference and feel bad that my baby could be being affected by it.

[1sttimemama1986]

Jcsc - gosh that sounds awful. Sympathies to you too xxx

Yes I think I will call it a day on the co codamol. It's not making a great deal of difference and feel bad that my baby could be being affected by it.

[1sttimemama1986]

Piratesmile- haha yes maybe I need to focus on trying to get baby out instead!! which I really hope resolves it!! I'm sure it will as I've never suffered with this before.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment X

[LuckySantangelo1]

Try and see a physio. I got referred immediately when I was pregnant last year. Sorted me out. I had some excercises to do each day. I was hobbling around before seeing the physio!

[1sttimemama1986]

LuckySantangelo1 - midwife said they won't refer for physio as so late in pregnancy. Booo. If baby doesn't come super soon I will be begging, I guess I could go private although don't think funds will allow this. Eurgh X