Hi moms,
I am 6.5 months pregnant with our second baby and am having SEVERE sciatica/back pain. I have to hobble around and am in constant pain. I had sciatica with my first but it did not start until much later in the pregnancy. Any tips or suggestions? I can't imagine being in this much discomfort for 3 more months :(
My OB gave me a brochure with some back exercises but nothing seems to be working.
Thanks so much and Happy New Year!
I had this too when I was pregnant. You should try soaking in a epsom salt bath. This will help a lot. Put some lavendar in it too to help you sleep better at night! I hope this helps, best wishes:)
Chiropractic was the only thing that worked for me! I also had a few massages which helped somewhat, and iced it when it flared up in between. A maternity support belt can help as well!
Have you tried a chiropractor? They can do amazing things. :)
Find a chiropractor that specializes in pregnant women. Had same problem. Got worse with second. Dr. Was a life saver. I can't remember the name of the technique. Maybe someone will help me out so you can Google it specifically. Good luck. That pain sucks! Also, sleep with pillow in between legs.
Happened to me also...
- wear a belly support belt. This will add support to your lower back.
- warm "masssage" showers aimed at the trouble site.
- chiropractic massage
I understand your pain. The belly belt helped a lot. I got the one that has a support belt under your belly and then a back brace. It was $40 at Motherhood Maternity, but I've seen some cheaper at Babies R Us. Also, good shoes. My doctor told me to not wear heels or ballerina shoes, but a good supportive sneaker. Not pretty, but works. My doctor recommended an accupuncturist, but it wasn't covered by my insurance so I didn't go.
Definitely try all the support stuff you can. You have to take some of the pressure off the nerve. If you are sitting in a chair, try to be sure your feet are supported, if possible with a stool. Don't let your feet hang or dangle. You can also try foot massages. Look up the reflexology of the foot and massage the back heel and the arch. I would also get massages. Just call around and tell them how far along you are. Some will shy away, but you will find one that will help. The massage did wonders!
In addition to the excersizes, my midwife told me to eat lots of bananas as the potassium helps with it. The belly belt, magnet therapy, chiropractic care and massage therapy are also things that can help. I'm so sorry, it's the worst, I would wake up in the middle of the night screaming in pain.
Sorry you're going through this Ashley! I had the same issue with my son starting around 18 weeks :(
Try icing the middle of your back (not down by your butt or hip where it hurts, but the actual middle). Sciatic nerve pain comes from the nerve being squeezed by all the other stuff that's crammed in around there and a little ice can really help.
A belly band also really helped me. Seems silly, but it really made a lot of difference.
Make sure you're in good shoes.
I found that any stretch that made me feel better right in the moment (the ones that make you say "yeah, right there") ended up getting it all revved up in the long run. Do the recommended exercises each day, ice your back throughout the day and hope your growing belly knocks something back into place before March :)
Hope this helps,
Thea
I would also recommend seeing a chiropractor - they can work miracles!
I tried massage therapy at first but it didn't do any good. The only thing that helped me was a chiropractor. I had never been to a chiropractor before, but my OB actually recommended it so I trusted him and went. My lower back was in such bad shape that I had to go to my chirpractor 4-5 times to get back to normal and then I went a few more times about 2 months after my daughter was born. My back actually hurt worse after my first appointment but I just kept going and I was so glad that I did because I was finally able to walk without pain again.
I had it with my second pregnancy only. It was so bad that it was the first thing I thought of when I found out I was pregnant for the third time! I did daily stretches that only helped a little. If I had to do it over again, I would've gone to a chiropractor. Hope you get some relief soon!
I SO know how you feel (cept I am not preggers)... as I am sitting here at work with horrible sciatic pain right now!
Chiro. They have (well at least my does) a special table for moms to be. Made a HUGE difference for me at the end.
No need to suffer!
.
Just seeing the word sciatica gives me the creeps. I have two places in my lower back that are pinching my sciatic nerve...seeing a specialist Jan 7th can't wait. Since June I have been thru the worst pain...like waking up everyday and having a baby...it was that severe. Yea...they gave me a list of exercises to do....I tried doing them...but my pain was so severe...couldn't do them...I couldn't even get down on the floor. I have trouble sitting, standing, driving a car, getting in a bubble bath, walking, putting my shoes and socks on, bending, carrying stuff....you name it. I have used the tens machine...it did help some....narcotics...yes...but I just stayed asleep all day...might as well been dead. You can use ice packs...but only 20 minutes at a time...I feel for you for real...it has changed my life...never again will I help anyone lift a huge tv!! I learned my lesson. Just waiting to see what the specialist says. I have damaged my sciatic nerve root....it is better after 6 months....but my back is very fragile....and I still have pain every minute of the day...just not extreme anymore like it crippled me. Good luck!
SWIMMING POOL!!! That and try spending some time on your hands and knees-- I used to watch TV on my knees, laying half across the coffee table with my belly hanging down-- takes the pressure off!
I had the same and it was quickly relieved by a visit to a chiropractor who uses soft manipulation (massage) techniques. I was very, very wary of chiropractors and very hesitant but my OB went to the person I ended up going to who was awesome. I didn't wait long to go and relief came quickly as opposed to a few friends that waited to go and it took more treatment & exercise than I required. Go to someone who works alot with pregnancy. My person is retired but Debra Pear in Santa Monica is good if you are near.
Oh, I remember this. Worst pain ever. My spine would twinge just making a left turn while sitting in the passenger seat of the car! What helped me was a belly band for support and daily walking. My OB said I needed the endorphins to counteract the pain. It worked miracles. The next step was going to be physical therapy which I didn't end up needing. No speed walking necessary; just waddle around the block for 1/2 hour every day. And wear the belly band all the time. I hope you get some relief!