Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy

Also called the ischiatic nerve, the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body, running from your lower back, through your buttocks and into each of your lower legs. Although this nerve can get irritated or pinched at any point in your life, the loosening of your pelvic bones and joints during pregnancy creates special circumstances that make you more likely to develop sciatic nerve pain.

Cause

According to the American Pregnancy Association, the increasing weight of your unborn baby places pressure on your sciatic nerve, which stretches under your uterus to your legs. This increasing pressure causes the sciatic nerve pain that you feel during pregnancy.

Symptoms

Shooting pain in your lower back or buttocks or along the backs of your thighs and legs are characteristic signs of pregnancy sciatic pain, especially when accompanied by tingling and numbness.

Solutions

Regular changes in your sleeping positions and posture--especially when you're sitting--provide easy ways to lessen sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy, shifting your weight off the sciatic nerve. If you experience severe sciatic nerve pain, consider consulting with a chiropractor or physical therapist for advice geared toward your specific situation.

Prevention

Avoid staying in one position for extended periods of time, especially when sitting or standing, since this increases your likelihood of putting excessive pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Considerations

Although it can be painful, sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy usually comes and goes as you progress through your pregnancy. If you have had sciatic nerve pain with a previous pregnancy, you are more likely to have it again, especially if you sit for prolonged periods of time.

References

• American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy and Sciatic Nerve Pain