How to get rid of sciatica during pregnancy?

Sciatica during pregnancy can cause you to feel a dull ache or sometimes a sharp pain in the middle of your back or buttocks. Fortunately, this pain is temporary and only a small percentage of mothers suffer from it.

Sciatica during pregnancy is dangerous is not a common question of many pregnant women. If you are also experiencing the condition, do not be too worried because in addition to causing pain in the lower back vertebrae of the lumbar region, it does not pose many dangers to the health of mother and baby. To better understand this situation, take a few minutes to review the information below from SignsSymptomsList.com.

What is sciatica during pregnancy?

Sciatica during pregnancy is a condition in which a pregnant woman feels pain, itching or numbness from the lower back, then spreading to the buttocks and down the back of the legs. In fact, sciatica is not a disease, it is a symptom of a medical condition. Conditions that can cause sciatica include degenerative disc disease, lumbar disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis.

Pregnant women often experience sciatica for a short time. Pregnant women experience sciatica most often in the third trimester (the last 3 months of pregnancy) when both you and your baby are increasing in weight and size. These symptoms may persist for a few months or longer after you give birth, although this time, the nerve compression caused by the fetus is no longer there.

Causes of sciatica during pregnancy

Sciatica during pregnancy usually occurs in only a small number of pregnant women. Some causes of this problem include:

• Weight gain during pregnancy and water retention in the body will put pressure on the sciatic nerve that passes through the pelvis.
• The growth and enlargement of the chest and abdomen causes the center of gravity to shift, focusing forward, increasing the curvature of the spine. This causes the muscles in the legs and hips to tighten to counteract the forward weight of the body, which in turn puts pressure on the nerves.
• Your enlarged uterus can press on the sciatic nerve in the lower part of your spine
• The baby's head can rest directly on the nerves as the baby turns in the right position during the last trimester in preparation for birth. This process can cause a lot of pain in the buttocks, back, and legs.

Tell you how to relieve sciatica pain in pregnant women most effectively

• You should pay attention to weight control. Avoid weight gain too quickly which can put sudden pressure on the spine and trigger sciatica symptoms during pregnancy
• Apply warm compresses where you feel pain
• Rest as much as you can and choose the position you feel most comfortable in
• When you sleep, lie on the side of your body that doesn't hurt. You can also use a firm mattress for better back support, place a pillow between your knees to help keep your pelvis straight and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Swimming can also help relieve discomfort from sciatic nerve pain
• Chiropractic or prenatal massage (performed by a trained and licensed professional), can help ease symptoms. A suitable physical therapy program can also help you feel more comfortable;
• If the pain becomes too severe, see a doctor. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help you relieve the pain and keep your baby safe.

All in all, changes during pregnancy can lead to sciatica and you're not alone. A few other pregnant women experience the same condition. However, you should consult a chiropractor or chiropractor if the pain persists, or increases in frequency and severity.