Exploring Sciatica Causes - Pregnancy

There are many sciatica causes, from bulging or herniated discs to a slipped vertebra.

Some women experience the symptoms associated with the condition – localized

lower back pain and radiating numbness, weakness, pain, and tingling in buttocks,

hips, legs, and feet – during pregnancy.

In the second or third trimester, a baby’s head may come to rest upon a woman’s

sciatic nerve. The nerve, which is the largest and longest in the body, begins as nerve

roots in the lumbar (lower back) and sacral (tailbone portion) regions of the spine,

then travels through the buttocks, hips, and down each leg. The pressure from a

baby’s head can interfere with the sciatic nerve’s synapses and cause symptoms to

develop. Additionally, since a woman’s spine is forced to work harder while she is

pregnant, a bulging or herniated disc could develop and either compress the sciatic

nerve or incite an inflammatory response, which can also irritate the nerve.

How to Treat Sciatica While PregnantIf sciatica causes a pregnant woman discomfort, she should consult her physician for an

appropriate treatment plan. A doctor might recommend the use of acetaminophen, but may

advise against the use of any other medication that could potentially harm the baby. Other

treatment methods could include:

• Lying on the opposite side of where the pain is located to relieve pressure placed on

the sciatic nerve

• Avoiding lifting heavy items and standing for long periods of time to prevent

discomfort

• Applying a heating pad and/or a cold compress to the affected area to relieve muscle

tension and numb pain, respectively

• Getting a massage to promote increased blood flow and muscle relaxation

Will Sciatica Dissipate?In most cases, the sciatica symptoms a pregnant woman may

experience will gradually fade later in the pregnancy, although

complete relief could

Take up to six weeks

as the baby grows

and shifts

within the womb.

If Symptoms Persist

If sciatica causes discomfort after pregnancy, this could mean that a spinal

condition, such as a bulging or herniated disc or a slipped vertebra, is

continuing to place pressure on the sciatic nerve. A doctor may

recommend a set of conservative (non-surgical) treatments that should

relieve pain. Conservative methods can include physical therapy, TENS

(transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), and behavior modification.

Again, a doctor may warn against certain medications, particularly if a

woman is breastfeeding her baby.

Will Surgery Be Necessary?

Luckily, the symptoms that sciatica causes can

usually be mitigated with several weeks or

months of. Surgery to treat sciatica is typically

reserved for a small group of patients whose

conservative treatments symptoms do not

respond to conservative therapies and are

debilitated by them.