Sciatica in Pregnancy - I'm in a lot of pain, please help...

[kate100]

I've recently been diagnosed with sciatica, I have pain in my back and front on one side and all down my legs. My GP says it's caused my some existing damage to my back that is being made worse by he growing baby, he also said it would get worse before it got better. I'm only 24 weeks pregnant and I don't know how I'm going to get to the end if I feel like this every day. Can anyone help me?

I had a bad problem with my pelvis when I was pg with No4. I ended up on crutches. Could you see a physiotherapist? That is what I did (hence the crutches).

Sorry for your pain.

I had this with dd1, and it is agony. You have my sympathies. I got to the point where I could only walk for any length of time if bombed out of my head on prescription-strength painkillers.

Firstly, get some pain relief. Most of the powerful painkillers are OK in the middle months of pregnancy, just not at the beginning or at the end (in case you go into labour and the baby is affected).

Secondly, go to a chiropracter who is experienced at dealing with pregnant women. They will assess you and will be able to offer some manipulation that may actually make a difference, unlike physios, who will do a lengthy assessment and then tell you there's nothing they can do. (That was my experience, anyway).

Thirdly, get the best supportive elasticated pregnancy belt you can lay your hands on. It won't make a huge difference but it may help a bit.

Pregnancy is not a great time to start Pilates, but if you can face it, I would strongly suggest you go to a studio and have some one-to-one sessions to try and strengthen your supporting muscles. Go to a specialist studio, not an ordinary gym, and talk to the head honcho. They may even offer the option of someone coming to you. And once you've recovered from the birth, take up Pilates more seriously, as your back will still be very vulnerable, esp. with a baby to lift and carry. I put a disc out at 6 weeks post-partum, and believe me you want to avoid that.

Do feel free to CAT me if you want more info or details.

hth

hth

Kate100, i know how bad sciatica can be, both dh and myself suffer from it.

Have you tried a warm wheatbag at the base of your back to help try and ease it.

Aaahhh! I suffered very badly with it.. & all I can say is GET THE BABY OUT!! Mine disappeared after giving birth! When are you due?

I had this with dd and the midwife advised going on all fours and lowering you arms so you bum is in the air as it takes pressure away... it worked for me when things got bad

I had physio for mine, (and dreadful debilitating back ache). She showed me better postures for standing, and how to use stomach muscles behing baby to take pressure off the back. She also massaged it - heavenly! Back ache did improve, but the sciatica was much worse afterwards, and I eventually had more physio (6 mths after birth), and injections in my spine to relieve it. It is fine now (2.5 years on)and I find keeping it very flexible and mobile in sport has contributed to this (something to think about later!), but I remeber I could not stand still for more than 10 seconds without the agonising pain in the side of my leg. I needed pain relief to sleep or shop. It will get better. Incidentally, my physio said do pilates, but I found this set it off (the stretches I think). I do yoga now, and no twinges at all.

Thanks for your support everyone, my GP had referred me to a physio and an orthapaedic surgeon, so hopefully they will be able to help.

I've been researching chiropractors and osteopaths, I don't know what the difference is, but they both claim to be able to help, do they?

I really don't want to spend the rest of my pregnancy sitting down, what kind of exercise do you think is OK? I've been swimming a kilometre 2 or 3 times a week, will I have to stop that? I forgot to ask the doctor.

MollyMooMin - I'm only 24 weeks, so having the baby is not really am option at the moment.

Hi Kate100 - Chiropractors and Osteos both use manipulation to re-align the spine, but osteos tend to be a bit more gentle, and to do some muscle work as well (massage, trigger points).
If you're in London, I have a lovely, gentle, and very experienced osteo. CAT me if you would like details.

Have you thought about accupunture? I've had a lot of sport related neck injuries, and found that this helped no end. My SIL had a herniated disk in her lower back and swore by accupuncture as part of her recovery plan.

I was also thinking about acupuncture, as I've had it before for problems with my feet that went on for 2 years and then went in 4 acupuncture sessions.

Any advice on whether to exercise or not?

I have lower back problems on and off (thankfully haven't had them since I've been pg, but I think it's just a matter of time ), and I have always found swimming to be really helpful. It's also often recommended by physios and osteos for back pain, as it's pretty gentle and your weight is supported. I think staying active (as much as you can without passing out from the pain) is important in order to keep the joints mobile. I would check with your doctor first.

Message withdrawn

I have a feeling I was once told to avoid doing breaststroke -- something about the action constricting the lower vertebrae, and exacerbating the problem. Backstroke is meant to be good, particularly if you practise sucking in your lower abdominal muscles, which will help support your back.

Sitting is generally not great, as it also compresses the lower vertebrae. Try kneeling back on your feet, if you can manage that. Or one of those 'kneeling' style chairs. I also recommend the Sit Fit cushion . It looks and feels pretty odd when you first try it, but it keeps your back mobilised, and you get used to it very quickly. It's like a mini-version of those Swiss balls that have started sprouting on labour wards (which are also very good, but take up more space).

Frankly, you may as well try out any alternative treatment you can afford -- if acupuncture has worked for you before, go for it.

There are some Yoga postions which are simple and can be done at home.. abit of perservance over afew days and it can really help relieve the sciatica.

Have a search on google, heaps of info there. I can´t find the site I was looking for atm. If i do... will get back to you.

et voila

this

I had similar and it was agony for about the last 4 months with ds2 - I couldn't take a step without excrutiating pain and I'd be in tears.

What helped me was one of those belts that goes round your back and under the bump - sounds daft but it really did help. I think I might have it somewhere and you can have it if I can find it!

Will have a look tomorrow and get back to you.

Also, the kind of exercise that is most useful is ones designed to build up the deep abdominal muscles that support your trunk and help take pressure off your back. That's why I suggested Pilates, but it's not a DIY form of exercise, particularly not at the beginning.

I've had sciatica in this pg too.

The m/w recommended pelvic thrusts. Lie on yr back with knees bent as in the sit-up position but tilt the hips up rather than the sitting up. If you can do a few times a day it will help.

Also try to do squats. No weights necessary. Stand with feet hip distance apart, toes pointing forward and squat slowly (two secs down, two secs up). Reps of ten and rest. Keep bum tucked under - don't let it stick out as you go up and down. Check that your knees don't over your toes. Use a bar to stabilise if you feel a bit wonky.

It is a simple exercise. If you are not sure about it, ask someone at the gym to show you how to do it properly.

I too suffered with this from about 24 weeks when pregnant with dd, I couldn't sleep and I couldn't sit for long or walk very far and became almost housebound (I too had previously had problems with my lower spine). On the advice of my midwife I went to aqua-natal (exercising in the water) and it felt great. Mine disappeared suddenly at 36 weeks when baby moved and I had a fantastic final 4 weeks.
Good luck, I know how painful this is but when your baby comes it will all be worth it.

I had chiropractic treatment throughout pregnancy and it was a lifesaver -- would recommend it but for peace of mind go to someone with plenty of experience in treating pregnant women (they are all trained in it, but obviously one feels more confident with a specialist).

Thanks for the exercise tips, I will definitely try them, I'll try anything at this point. It's all come as a bit of a shock, as I've never had back trouble before and didn't have sciatica in my previous pregnancy.

have some acupuncture - i suffered for years then gave in to acupuncture and it works miracles. It is really worth it, painless, almost instant relief and not too expensive relative to the endless nagging pain. Just try it!

I second the acupuncture, and also put a vote in for a belly bra. I bought one last week and it makes a lot of difference (I am 30wksand huge). I find the acupuncture makes me feel euphoric for about 2 hours and great for about a day and good for another two and then I'm back to where I was, so the belly bra has been a godsend!

I'll third the accupuncture and got 6 free sessions on nhs when my doctor referred me.