Excruciating pain in left upper buttock when walking/moving

[SenoraSurf]

I noticed a twinge in my left buttock area when I was walking around at work about 2 weeks ago (science teacher). It's got progressively worse to the point where when I move or twist slightly, it sends shooting pains down my leg, gives me pins and needles and then passes. I'm then able to hobble around some more (still painfully but manageable) but it keeps happening and the pain when it shoots is enough to take my breath away.

I'm only 23 weeks and I'm not big built (5ft1 and normally a size 6). I was planning to mention the ache to midwife at 25 weeks appointment but not sure if this crazy random spurts of mega pain is going to force me to seek help sooner.

Any advice or experience from anyone out there? Not really sure what to do. I'm not overexerting myself and it seems to be worse when I sit/lay for long periods.

Sciatica?

Sounds like a pinched nerve or sciatica. Painful af! Definitely ask your midwife.

I have that exact same pain and I'm only 16 weeks 😭😭

I had this sciatica type pain. I think it might have been to go with baby's position at the time because thankfully it disappeared after a couple of weeks. Hope yours does too!

Sounds like sciatica. I've had it on and off throughout this pregnancy. Tried to change my posture when walking and otherwise rested in a comfortable chair. I'm a teacher too so understand it's hard to rest while at work.

Have you had a risk assessment done? They should provide you with a more comfortable chair if you need it.

Thanks ladies. Thanks what my obsessive googling had pointed towards too.

@burblife no risk assessments or anything yet, gave them my notice of pregnancy in writing 2 weeks ago but they've known for weeks. My current seat is a wooden science stool with a hard back (can't use a lower chair due to desk height). I'm so nervous about another week at work with this pain, let alone another 16 weeks to go!!!!!

I had acupuncture for mine when pregnant

I had piriformis syndrome and sciatica from 16 weeks. It was agony.
I bought a pillow that was shaped to go between my legs when I slept and that helped to keep my knees parallel and I felt that gave me some relief.
I went to physio once a week which was agony but also gave me a little relief.
I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you- Im not really in a position to be spending the money on the cost of the private physio sessions or acupuncture as their quite pricey where I live. Hopefully it'll calm down but if not I'll have to look into options available

I had exactly what you describe. Was never diagnosed as sciatica but probably pinched nerve or pressure on a nerve with the way baby was lying. It got better from about 34 weeks if I remember maybe as baby shifted lower down or head down I'm not sure! It's bloody sore! Like you, was worse when I'd sat for a period of time then went to move after.

I would get onto them about a risk assessment. That stool is not going to help your pain! A colleague of mine found a standing desk with a high chair most comfortable for her back problems. I really sympathise, it is so painful when it strikes. Mine has improved now I'm at 32 weeks so it may just be a waiting game.

Other things to try: google pregnancy sciatica stretches there are some gentle ones to try which helped me a little. I also recommend the pillow for sleeping, pain was less if I'd kept my knees together rather than leaning more to one side if that makes sense?

Also, have you spoken to your midwife about the pain? She may be able to refer you for physio. A friend of mine found antenatal Pilates helpful too if you have any sessions nearby.

Definitely put a pillow between your knees when you sleep.

I’m 23 weeks and have had the same thing for the past 2 weeks. I use a spikey massage ball (or you could use a tennis ball) between my bum and a wall and use it to massage the area, hasn’t fixed it but it does help.

Thanks for the advice ladies. Currently in bed with a pillow between my legs (an old flatter one) but getting pins and needles which is annoying. Feels as though my leg is raised too high but it's actually hardly raised at all.

Tried the exercises online this evening too. Felt ok whilst I was doing them but then walked cautiously into the kitchen and BAM I'm stuck keeled over the bench, couldn't put weight on left leg and had to spend the next half hour with DH helping me get up the stairs to bed.

I'm going to ring the midwife tomorrow and ask for advice but DH wants me to get a docs appointment. What do I do? Will either be able to do anything?

sounds like sciatica, i have similar pains if im on my feet all day at work. Ive luckily only got 2 weeks of work until mat leave though but ive had it through the entire pregnancy, i still dont know how to make it better except lying down but thats not gonna happen every time it starts hurting i know :/

sounds like sciatica good idea to see the doctor

Sounds like sciatica to me too, I'm 37 weeks pregnant today and have had it since 15 weeks... it's hell at times but a good pregnancy pillow for bed time helped!

Someone told me it vanishes after you give birth. I hope so!! 🤞

Quick update for you all- went to the doctor, she checked me over and didn't know what to prescribe which was safe during pregnancy which I thought was odd. She then told me to go and speak to the pharmacist and get them to ring her and she'd write a prescription based on what they thought... the pharmacist wasn't sure either and suggested I call midwife. The midwife has now referred me to physio in the next couple of days so we shall see when I can get an appointment.

No pain relief and the consensus was generally just to crack on and wait for it to pass... it's going to be a long ride!

Physio should help. They should give you a apiky ball. Take paracetamol. It's better than nothing.

And sod the crack on message. I'm 33 weeks, on crutches and signed off work. Just because it's a pregnancy related problem doesn't mean you have to suck it up.

I get the same pain every so often, usually when I get out of bed in the morning. I mentioned it to the midwife at my last appointment and she recommended using a pillow between my legs in bed and if the pain is bad then sitting on one of those yellowy green tennis balls and rolling around so it helps to relieve the nerve. Luckily I haven't had the pain much over the last couple of weeks so haven't had to try the tennis ball trick yet, but might be worth giving a go?
As others have mentioned, I think the pillow between my legs at night has really helped.
Hope the pain eases for you!

I have the exact pain in my right side and I'm 13 weeks!

I had Dihydrocodeine and Co-codomal 30mg's during my last pregnancy. Both are safe. The only concern is regular long term use towards the end of you pregnancy might mean your baby is born with withdrawal symptoms.