Exercises to relieve sciatica with big bump

[Spaghettiamaretti]

Hi, I’m 34+5 with a bump that makes me look 3 years overdue. I’m suffering with sciatica (I think) as I have lots of lower nerve pain at the bottom of my back which has been excruciating over the last few days. I’ve had to crawl up the stairs and spend most of my time laying flat as I can’t bare the pain when I sit/stand. I have a high pain threshold and have suffered with lower back problems for years but this is something else.

One of the things that usually helps when I get similar pain outside of pregnancy is bringing my knees up to my chest to stretch the muscle but thanks to my huge belly I can’t do that.

Does anyone have any exercises/remedies/absolutely anything that may help?

The pain is crippling and unfortunately I can’t get a gp appointment today for some strong pain relief. Even if I could there’s no way I could drive. DP has been a huge help and has took our two children out to keep them occupied so I can have some time in bed figuring out how to get a little bit of relief! I’ve had a water bottle on pretty much constantly which helps the pain whilst it’s being used but doesn’t provide much relief once I try and get up.

Have you got a bump band or able to order one? I have similar symptoms along with horrendous lower back pain if I’m on my feet more than 10 mins.
If you’re hospital also has a maternal physio it may be worth trying to self refer to them? I’m 37 weeks and they recommended the band as they think that the sciatica/back pain is due to the weight of my bump. So taking the pressure off is helpful

There are some exercise on tyevl9nk you could try
www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/sciatica-pain-stretches

@dinosaur17 I do have a band off the hospital I’ve not worn it for a few days (since before the pain started) it’s being washed so hopefully that’s the answer to my problems!

@Chelyanne thank you I’ll take a look at that now

You poor thing - sciatica is awful. I only have it mildly but it's still unpleasant. The one thing I've found that eases my back a little is leaning forward onto something and swaying slightly (kneeling on floor with elbows on sofa or standing leaning with elbows on kitchen counter). Sometimes that's too painful and I need to leave it but if I can manage a few minutes it helps. A self-referral to physio might be the way to go though as they can figure out what will work for you - my GP lets you do that.

@BlueberryPancake21 thank you I’ll give that a go! I had been referred to physio at about 22 weeks for problems with my lower back although at the time it wasn’t sciatica (apparently my lower back just doesn’t move how it should - it’s been this way for 14 years!) this was then cancelled due to the 2nd lockdown and again in the 3rd. Although this wasn’t pregnancy related. I will speak to my gp tomorrow to see if I can get a pregnancy related physio just to take the edge off over the next few weeks.

I have an induction booked in on my due date (for high bp) so at least there is an end in sight!