is it normal to get sciatica-type pain in one bum cheek/leg area

[dinny]

more than the other side? am 28 weeks.......

Oh yes. Very normal and common.
ASk to see an obstetric physio before it gets worse.

I had it in my first pg - I think it may have ene ben the same side thinking about it

but not at all in my second

weird...esp as in 2nd pregnancy ds was much bigger than dd in first - must be position?

do I ask mw for referral? thanks

I had it earlier in this pregnancy, and a little in my first - but just on left side. Oddly it went off by itself months ago, getting a little now but am 39 weeks so not really surprised.

I had this in both my pregnancies (really badly with dd2), I was referred to a physio who said that as well as sciatica my pelvis was being pushed out of whack (probably not the words she used!) by dd2.

These things helped

putting feet up whenever possible
wheatbag
rolling up cushion or putting wheatbag under painful bum cheek
sleeping with cushion between knees
putting bottom end of bed up
wearing maternity belt (prescribed by physio)
and support tights (I was quit possibly the most attractive pregnant lady on the planet!)
paracetemol

The pain went as soon as i had dd's and hasn't returned. I would ask MW to refer you to phsio if it is bad, as there are also exercises you can do.

It was agony for me, so you have all my sympathy. Good luck

yeah, mine is the left side

weird getting it when the baby isn't very big still, isn't it?

mw or GP will be able to refer you.

It is a bugger, isn't it?

Are you managing to get about okay? Try not to cross your leags - not just an old wives' tale, it de-stabilises your pelvis and makes it worse.

Also, in bed, put a pillow between your kness and lie on your side.

If you can stand it, sit on a tennis ball - I kid you not. Sit the ball on the midlde bit of you buttock. It helps release the tension. You wil get derisory comments from those around you though!

Finally (I promise) try to avoid one leg standing, like when you are getting dressed. Sit down to put your legs in your trousers, etc.

Mine is at right side only.

xposts!
Yes, the physio can give you a support belt - I loved mine. It really helped.

Nickey, lol at tennis ball

Cote - was thinking was going to discover some mad lefthandside-ness to pg sciatica

it's not too bad at the moment, I've been laid up with flu for the week so think my aches and pains are rather more manifest in general!

Mine is right side too. My annoying MW would not refer me to anyone. She says this is the side effects of being pregnant. I can't stand that woman. You know what she said to a friend of mine, whoc is also PG(30 weeks now) when my friend cam to see her at the routine appointment and she had a light cold?? MW goes: if you have a cold, what are you comingn here for? to make me catch your cold as well? Can you beleive this freak of nature????????? I have never ever seen anyone so selfish in my life!!
well, back to sciatica: perfectly normal to have on one side. Massage helps a lot. I am having once a week , quite painful massage by one of the Indian girls who came from kerala. they have a lovely place in hatch end. really helped me, so I CAN sleep at night and move around. try massage

You can also (this will sound odd) grab hold of the offending buttock and jiggle it vigourously - DH used to help with this. It seems to release the tension a bit. Yoga teacher recommended it and I found it helps.

good advise RSRH. Will try that too. I tried just yoga on its own, stretching etc, it only made the matter worse to my surprise...

ranirani - there was one yoga move that helped last time. It's hard to describe, but if you go on hands and knees and stretch the uncomfortable leg out behind you and then let your hip sort of drop on that side, giving the leg a bit of a shake out.

Sympathies tho - sciatica is literally a PITA, hope things ease for you soon (and your MW sounds shocking!)

my midwife told me to do my pelvic floor exercises which really helped. Also said to walk backwards if it gets really bad (sounds very odd but it worked). There was another exercise but I can't remember it, sorry.

I didn't realise you could do something about it
I assumed it was just part and parcel of being pg!
I frequently wake in the night, and am unable to move for a minute or so...am 34 weeks.

thanks RSRH, will try that too, and walking backwards,CR

I can't believe I have found this thread. I am 30 weeks and have sciatica down my right hand side too! It's a bugger DH has promised me a massage tonight - I will not let him forget

I'm 23 weeks and have sciatica - very unpleasant and painful, also worried that it will get worse. I went to see GP who said to take paracetamol (in the hope that reduction in inflammation will release) and who was also perfectly happy to refer me for physio. Rani,your midwife sounds wonderful it might be a side effect of pregnancy but surely if there are ways of easing it on balance it is better to be able to get on and off the toilet, in and out of cars, turn over in bed? I'm for you - I'd see GP instead and ask them to refer you. I've got an appointment on Monday so will let you know how I get on!