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September 2016 Moms
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Sciatica in pregnancy

ls2196ls2196 member
in September 2016 Moms
I'm 17 weeks pregnant and have sharp pain on the right side by my tailbone. Getting up from the bed or sitting is awful. Anyone else exeriencing this? What helps? Thanks mommies!
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Re: Sciatica in pregnancy

  • rogro118rogro118 member
    I'm almost 15 weeks and I've been having the same troubles over the past two weeks.  By the end of work each day I feel like I'm waddling because it hurts so much, then when I get out of bed in the morning it hurts to put weight on my left leg.  I've found that baths help somewhat-I add 2 c. of plain/unscented Epsom salts.  Also stretching has eased some of the pain.  There are lots of pregnancy yoga YouTube videos that have good stretches and most are short enough to do in the morning before work.  I'm going to get a massage today to hopefully get relief and I've also heard that seeing a chiropractor can help big time throughout pregnancy, so I may look into that this week.  I'll let you know if I find anything else that helps.

    I hope you find some relief! Good luck!  
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  • SLou24SLou24 member
    It sounds like either Sciatica or your SI joint - -both very common in pregnancy. The hormone relaxin cause your ligaments to relax a little bit, which causes your SI joints (where your pelvis meets the base of your spine on both sides) to spread and shift a little bit, which is why this pain is so common. Gentle stretching for your hips/glutes can help, as can general movement and strengthening the muscles in your hips/core. 

    Also, if your pain stays in one place at the SI joint (i.e., doesn't shoot down your leg like nerve pain), a quick temporary fix is to use your thumb to put pressure over the spot while standing, then bring that leg forward and back gently. Good luck! 
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  • Tippy05Tippy05 member
    Yes!  I'll be 15 weeks tomorrow and have been experiencing the same thing the past week or so.  More noticeable when I'm walking, especially when I step on my right foot.  I haven't found a solution yet, but I'm going to try some of the things pp's have mentioned.

    Good luck and hope you feel better soon!
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  • tinypikachutinypikachu member
    Yep! I'm 17 weeks also and have had it since I was 12 weeks. I've struggled with sciatica pain on and off for a few years but hadn't had it for so long until now. Unfortunately for me, it is now also accompanied by pelvic pain.

    Agreed with PP, the way to differentiate sciatica pain from joint pain is to determine if the pain is just on your lower back and butt area or if it shoots down your leg. My pelvis hurts constantly all over but my sciatica pain is only on my right leg and I feel it run down my leg. I've used a foam roller in the past to massage the source of the pain but now I just stretch and use a snoogle for sleep.

    For my hip pain, I'm trying a few exercises to strengthen my hip and they have helped some. Also, avoid awkward positions and try to sit and stand with both feet and legs aligned straight with your hips and feet flat on the floor about shoulder-width apart, especially when getting out of the car.
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  • tiger2010tiger2010 member
    Chiropractor, stretching, resting, ice the area, Tylenol have all all been recommended to me for this type of pain.
     In my case it was sciatica which I have had with each of my pregnancies. The worst was my first pg where it got so bad in the 3rd trimester that I couldn't walk. In that case, baby was directly on my nerve and the only relief was waiting for baby to change position. 
    What worked best for me w/my other pg was seeing the chiropractor.  They will also probably give you additional recommendations on ways to ease your pain. If they don't just ask. My chiro office also has a massage therapist, which was nice.
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  • blondie080300blondie080300 member
    Nothing new to add but just wanted to say that I have had this pain for the past 5 weeks or so. I will also be trying pp's suggestions. Thanks for posting this!
    Married: 3/21/15
    First time mom to a human but have been a puppy mamma for over 12 years :)

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  • Sporty1216Sporty1216 member
    I've had terrible sciatica at points this pregnancy and had it last time too. I've had a lot of relief just from sleeping with my snoogle between my legs, especially with the sciatica side on the bottom. It's awful. I hope you find relief soon!
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  • StrappinArrowStrappinArrow member
    Mine was hurting to the point I could barely walk or bend over then stand up. It finally has gotten better for the past couple weeks (17wks)! I just tried to sit down more but couldn't find anything that helped me :/
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  • SuzJune04SuzJune04 member
    I had sciatica pain in my third trimester when I was pregnant with my DD 4+ years ago.  I would put one of those heating pad ace bandages on my lower back to manage through out the day.  I could barely walk also.  I also started seeing a chiropractor which seemed to do the trick after a week or two.  Then I continued going to see the chiropractor until my due date.  My chiropractor seemed to make sure everything was balanced and all the adjustments were very gentle.  He was a father to 4 children and said he adjusted his wife all during her pregnancies too.  Good luck!
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  • rissarox7rissarox7 member
    I have been suffering horribly since about week 8. I have always had problems with my sciatic.
    Stretching (and getting someone to help you stretch) is awesome as well as using a heating pad.. Also if the pain is just too unbearable, I'll use some icy hot gel and rub on the area that hurts the worst.
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  • brittgrant2727brittgrant2727 member
    I had the sciatica and pelvis pain with my first. It was so painful and took some time to figure out what worked for my body and relief. I did some work with a physical therapist, strengthening some of my pelvic muscles. Swimming is really great and also prenatal yoga really helped with the stretching! It took awhile but eventually it got better. Good luck!
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  • DaisyQuinnDaisyQuinn member
    What a pain in the butt! I've had some sciatica pain at 15 weeks, but nothing like when I was waitressing...yet. Swimming and stretching are the best. Heat was the next best cure for me. Get those icy hot or tigar balm patches for during the day. I also blast the a/c and use the seat warmer in my car during my commute to work. I've also found changing my footwear to more sensible shoes with support can make a world of difference.
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  • hopec87hopec87 member
    Almost 16 weeks and I've been having the same issue. I'm a retail furniture store manager and I'm on my feet and moving things all day long. My doc said chiropractor, massages, stretch, icy hot and yoga. If I have flare ups I have to stay off my feet until it goes away. Which this last time was 2 days. I couldn't put any pressure on my leg without my hip wanting to give out. Myself and fiance have been considering me going to part time...if notbi have no time for more appointments.
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  • RedMarRedMar member
    My lower back has been killing me since my last pregnancy. I was hoping id find some relief with the relaxin hormone loosening everything up but unfortunately that hasnt been the case. I see the chiro about once every two weeks and have been using this (forward facing) inversion chair that has been helping w the pain 
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  • stillcozystillcozy member
    *lurking*
    I so feel your pain and my OB ended up having me do physical therapy. One of the biggest things that has been helpful is stretching both morning and at night doing pregnancy safe sciatic or piriformis stretches. As well as sitting/laying on a tennis ball on the sore/tight muscles it helps them release. I also wear a si loc belt now. Some insurances will cover them, mine didn't but I got it off amazon. It really helps support the sciatic area and keep it in place as we are stretching and growing.

    here is a link to some of the stretches I do reccomended by my PT. https://www.livestrong.com/article/375268-stretches-for-sciatic-pain-in-pregnancy/

     I also use bio freeze it is like icy hot. Keep in communication with your OB about your pain level as well. Hope you are able to find some relief soon! 


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  • Sbrown721Sbrown721 member
    I was diagnosed with sciatica long before pregnancy. I went to a chiropractor for awhile and it helped SO much, but it got really pricey! After I stopped, the pain came right back. I am doing prenatal yoga and the teachers are wonderful about incorporating stretches for it into their lessons, but it only helps so much. I am 18 weeks on Friday and have only gained a couple of pounds, but I know the pregnancy weight will be here soon which will only make the sciatica worse so, I'll probably end up back at a chiropractor.
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