Been diagnosed with sciatica at 12 weeks pregnant

[Nikki037297]

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and after going for long walks my lower back hurts on the right side and into my bum cheek then down my right leg. It lasts a good few hours after the walking but then seams to ease until the next walk which Iv been walking every day. When I say long I mean 3/4 miles per day. It’s just what I’m used too so I’d like to keep it up during my pregnancy. So Iv been to see the doctor about this pain and they have said it’s sciatica caused by the pressure of my uterus on the sciatic nerve and it’s quite uncommon this early in pregnancy it’s usually when the uterus is a lot bigger but it’s not impossible to get it this early just uncommon. No cure he said. Given me codeine which has helped but I assume this isn’t going to go away and I don’t want to be on codeine the whole pregnancy so either I ease off the walking or just deal with the pain.

Anyone else had sciatica early on in pregnancy? Did it get better as you got further on although that’s probs a silly question. How did you deal with the pain?

Get yourself a tens machine. Sciatica is awful, I really feel for you. Try not to sit, it's the worst position to be in, laying down or standing will be better. Definitely don't agree with the codeine personally, it hasn't helped me at all.

I suffered from sciatica years ago and found that seeing a chiropractor helped me. When I was pregnant with my DD 4.5 years ago I started monthly maintenance appointments and they really did help keep on top of any twinges I had.

I feel for you, sciatica is awful! Hope you manage to find some relief soon!

Have you tried yoga. Helped my sister out no end and you can do it while pregnant.

I’ve longstanding sciatica and it did worsen very early in pregnancy. I’d visit a women’s health physio (I know an amazing one if you’re in the South West), Pilates and/or yoga helped to stretch out the nerve and the muscle aggravating it.
I found that when walking quickly with long strides mine used to be really painful but if I shortened my strides it didn’t twinge as much.
I’d stay off the codeine if you can manage it in other ways.

@SingingWaffleDoggy oooh, I’ve developed sciatica via a back injury and am in SW. is your person anywhere near Exeter ??

Go to a deep tissue masseuse and/or physio, ice packs can help, exercise helps especially specific ones and stretches, pilates etc for sciatica.

My gp referred me to a physio who specialised in women/pregnancy. Was an NHS physio. She sorted it all out for me. Had the do maintenance exercises throughout pregnancy but it solved the issue.

[quote 2DemisSVP]@SingingWaffleDoggy oooh, I’ve developed sciatica via a back injury and am in SW. is your person anywhere near Exeter ??[/quote]
Yes she is! She’s called Victoria and is based at the Barefoot physio. It’s below Mary Arches.
I saw her for a ‘Mummy MOT’ and her treatment and advice has been spot on.

I had sciatica and SPD in my first pregnancy from about 16 weeks so not quite so early but still early on according to midwife.

Try to keep everything inline, a bump brace helped me with my posture and took a bit of the strain off. As someone else said don't sit for too long - definitely don't cross your legs! - and try to shorten your stride.

Pay attention to your body, if you feel a twinge, stop, take a breath and straighten up and continue slowly.

Unfortunately that baby is almost 16yo now and I still get bouts of it on and off but I can recognise the twinges before a flare up which means I can ease it off most of the time before it gets bad.

I got sciatica really bad during all my pregnancies although it disappeared after each birth. It got excruciating as the pregnancy wore on. With the fourth (and last) I had a wonderful female consultant who sent me for acupuncture - never had it before or since but one session stopped the pain for the rest if my pregnancy. The relief was immediate. Would not have believed it if it hadn't happened to me!

Ooooo thanks everyone I will look into the message. Did your midwife send you or do you have to go private? I’m ok today as it’s rainy so no long walks today but I am trying to keep in shape best as I can

I went private because in Ireland HSE only offers fairly crap physio, I wanted specific good help for it

I had it from week 6 and had to stop working at w8 as I couldn’t sit or stand and could barely walk to the loo. I did physiotherapy and it improved considerably by the middle of the second trimester so I could at least move around the house. The cat–cow stretch really helped. I worked from home for the rest of the pregnancy. When I stood up for the first time after giving birth it was completely gone.

I got it at 12 weeks and I'm now 37!

It was awful but it did go off a bit after a few weeks. I could still feel it but not as bad then it came back badly around 30 weeks for a few weeks.

Hi, I feel your pain!
I got it bad at 12 weeks, was also told it was early to have it, but obviously it's not that uncommon.
I couldn't even walk that's how bad mine got and was signed off work for 4 weeks. I spent those 4 weeks resting... a lot!
I'm now 23 and the pain has eased to the point of where I don't really notice it, unless I've had a really busy day.
I think as the baby moves out of the pelvis and upwards in the second trimester, that's when it stops pressing on the nerve. What I'm not sure about is what happens as the baby starts to move down again prior to birth!
But for me the exercises and lots of rest helped eventually.

I had this early. Was gone by 16 weeks as she had stopped pressing on the nerve.

Thanks everyone that’s makes sense that when baby moves up it eased so I’m hoping it eased soon just in time for summer for the lovely summer walks

How long after intercourse did it take for you to get a positive pregnancy test? The reason I am asking this is because I don't know when I ovulated