Help! Sciatic pain in last trimester :(, how to relieve the pain until giving birth...

[TamaraNicolaou]

Hi all, I am in my last month of pregnancy (due at Christmas) for the last couple of weeks I have been suffering from mild sciatic pain, today however, it was excruciating, so much so that I could barely walk, which is difficult when running after a 16 month old.

Any ideas on how I can relieve this pain, I understand that it should go after giving birth but a Month away seems so far away :(

I had this too- awful! It is often the baby's position which ends up squashing nerves. My mw suggested acupuncture which was great. I am sure there are other ways too but can't remember what they are sorry! Good luck- hope you are feeling better very soon

Get yourself to a chiropractor. I've had one session and the difference is night and day. I'm due at the same time as you, and have suffered since 20 weeks, but it was getting ridiculous.

Is it sciatica or pelvic girdle pain (PGP)?

My midwife diagnosed sciatica and sent me to a physiotherapist at the hospital. The physiotherapist said I had PGP (often misdiagnosed as sciatica), taught me some coping strategies for standing, sitting, rolling over in bed etc. then gave me a tight hip bandage and a pair of crutches. She also gave me a 'massage' of the sort a chiropractor would do - and all on the NHS She was amazing and I do recommend talking to the physiotherapy department at your local hospital. Your midwife can refer you.

As this is pregnancy-related, and possibly caused by everything relaxing and stretching, you should try and rest as much as you can in order to let yourself heal (not easy with a toddler, I know!) I made my PGP much worse by trying to carry on as normal, looking after my 4 year old DS and doing all the housework too. I got to the stage where I couldn't walk or move without help, and was literally crying with the pain. My DH has had to take his paternity leave early so that I can rest now before delivery.

Don't let this get any worse! - and I do hope things improve for you soon.

Thanks all, it seems to have subsided since I have rested but still not fab although alot more manageable than it was yesterday.

To be honest Greenbananas I have self diagonsed it just feels how I imagine Sciatica to feel like (not ever experiencing anything like this before), definitely believe its due to the baby's position though, am off to Docs for a check up tomorrow so hopefully he can help....

Roll on Christmas, that's all I can say right now ;)

Glad you're feeling better and hope it goes well at the doctor's tomorrow. Keep on resting!!!

For those of you that suffer sciatica due to pregnancy, I have been cured get on your hands and knees girls, for whatever reason, be it scrubbing floors or something a little more personal you DH may have to help you with the latter....

I had the same earlier in this pregnancy..get yourself to an osteopath or chiropractor, I had two sessions and feel like a new woman..well almost! X