Sciatica

[honeyharris]

I'm nearly 23 weeks pregnant and have been suffering with pain deep in my right bum cheek since i was about 10 weeks. It's gradually got worse and sometimes if I lean forward at a certain angle I get a sharp pain and find it hard to straighten up and start walking again. I mentioned it to the midwife who I didn't feel was particularly helpful, she said it was sciatica and to take paracetamol for the pain, which i'm not keen to do on a regular basis. Has anyone tried the support belts, or has any experience of whether exercise tends to make it better or worse?

Hi Honeyharris! I have too much experience of lower back problems and sciatica (not pregnancy related). There are lots of things you can do that will help, however I would personally go and see a physio first. I have an awesome (private £40/consultation) physio (in Bristol - saying that just in case you are close), who I travel to see even though I don't live there any more he's a qualified physio and osteopath. He's given me exercise to get my spine moving band they make a huge difference, we modified them for pregnancy. The exercises are all things you can do at home. The only equipment I have is a Swiss/birthing ball and a foam roller (total cost about £25). You should see your GP as a bear minimum and at least get on waiting list for NHS physio! if you happen to have private healthcare through yours or partners work possible to claim physio treatment back on that (and reduced waiting time).

Other ideas are antenatal Pilates class or Aquanatal (I've found a reasonably priced Aquanatal class at a local hospital hydrotherapy pool run by two physics).

Don't suffer. See your GP, get referred to NHS or private physio. Moving will help. Walking/swimming beat place to start!

Sorry sorry on phone. The Aquanatal class is run by two physios. The exercises get my spine MOVING and make a huge difference. Hopefully all my other errors are translatable!

I've had a bit of sciatica right at the end of this pregnancy, but I've been going to pregnancy yoga throughout and there's a few stretches which really seem to help. My instructor particularly recommends the Pigeon pose - I won't try and describe it but it's bound to be online somewhere!

Ive seen a osteopath for mine, 3 sessions sorted it…. my god the pain though!

You have got a form of sciatica called Periformis syndrome, which i had in my first pregnancy. Agony. Sorry to say nothing shifted it - I was on morphine by the end, and took all my paracetamol allowance for the whole pregnancy - dd was fine, honest!
However, all is not lost! I got the familiar bum twinge week 12 in this second pregnancy, did some specific periformis stretches,and two trips to the osteo and that has sorted it. (well, am 28 weeks now).
Get thee to the osteo, google the stretches and in the meantime take the para, and sit on alternatively a tennis ball, or a hot water bottle. Good luck am truly sympathetic xxx

Hey Hun finding this post really useful I'm in agony with the same problem I'm 24 weeks and had a trapped nerve in my bum since 16 week gradually my back is getting worse to I could cry most days at work on my feet all day so thanks for posting this

Thanks everyone, have managed to get a referral to the NHS physio and am due to start pregnancy yoga next week. I know the pigeon pose and have googled some periformis stretches which seem to be helping a bit. Not really in position financially to pay privately for physio / osteo but they've said I shouldn't have to wait too long for NHS physio so fingers crossed! Hope you feel better soon SweetPea86

I have suffered for years on and off with sciatica. I also recommend Foam rollers and sitting on a tennis ball to massage - both methods my physios have put me on to. Easy, and often sit watching tv doing it.

I'm only 11 weeks pg but think I'm developing this, deep pain like having a numb bum in my right bum cheek! Keep thinking I've been sat on it too long over christmas!

Can it develop this early?

I'm only 11 weeks pg but think I'm developing this, deep pain like having a numb bum in my right bum cheek! Keep thinking I've been sat on it too long over christmas!

Can it develop this early?

You don't need to be pregnant to get sciatica, although I have it now and am pg, I head it for years on and off. so it's possible that you have it. I'd speak to your gp or midwife to see if you can get a physio referral.