Sciatica is a radiating pain that starts in the lower back before travelling along the sciatic nerve down into your lower body. Expectant moms commonly experience sciatica.
What causes it?
Sciatica during pregnancy usually occurs later in gestation, and is generally a result of your expanding uterus applying pressure to the sciatic nerve, which starts in the lower back and runs through your butt and into your legs. As Baby turns and prepares to be born, their head may lie directly on your sciatic nerve, which could make the shooting pains more intense.
Tips?
Stretching is always good for back pain, but the most important thing you can do is rest. The radiating pains might hold out for a bit of time past delivery, but usually they will subside pretty quickly.
Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
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Sources
- “Sciatica During Pregnancy.” PregMed. PregMed, 8/2/2013. Web.
