39 weeks pregnant- HELP!

[laylajune92]

39 weeks pregnant today! Hooray!

However, what I'm assuming is sciatica is flaring up like crazy today! I have pain in my lower back, shooting down my left leg. I also get the occasional pain in my groin.

It's been 9 hours now since the pain started and nothing seems to be soothing it! The last time I had this, it lasted 15 hours, all throughout the night.

Any tips on how to get rid of this pain? I've had paracetamol, co-codamol (under midwife's advise and more than 4 hours after the paracetamol) a hot bath, a hot water bottle, resting and exercise!

So tired and so fed up now, ready for this baby to be here!

Thank you!

Are you sleeping with a pillow between your knees? I have to do that when my sciatica is playing up whether I'm pregnant or not. Good support also when seated is key, pregnancy ball can also help if you have one

Hi @annlee3817 I'm not no as aside from waking up 5 times a night to use the bathroom I don't tend to struggle sleeping/getting comfy. I have a pregnancy ball so will be making the most of it!

Midwife said baby's head is 'right down' so I'm hoping that those words alongside this flaring up today means he'll be here soon! 😂

Even if you feel comfortable, it's likely that it's exacerbating the sciatica by not keeping your knees apart when you're sleeping on your side!

@Weathergirl1 oh really? It has only flared up a few times this entire pregnancy so I hadn't put the 2 together!

Thanks for the tip!

The pillow between your knees helps alignment which can help sciatic pain even if you're comfortable in bed

@annlee3817 thank you for the tip! I didn't experience this with my first so it's all new to me!