Anyone ever had bad sciatica in pregnancy?

[AllWeNeedIsluv]

Hi lovelies

Im currently 19 weeks pregnant and started getting pain in my back and left leg around 10 weeks drs have said its sciatica I've had on and off since i had my daughter in 2013. Never severe like this today its got to the point where i can't even put weight on my foot at all the pain is so severe along my heel up my leg tingling burning foot feels incredibly weak. When im resting it, its like a hot pins n needles. My dr stressed the waiting list for the physio is incredibly long and iv got so much going on with weekly hospital trips to do with pregnancy also. That it'll just be too hard and probably pointless being put on the waiting list coz they wont do much anyway. Dr said they wont do much!!

I really didn't want to go down this route but looks like its the only thing that will help me even then I'm not sure. I'm in hospital on Wednesday so will speak with midwifes then. should i get some crutches to help me get about? I've never used them before. I've got pregnancy pillows to help with back support it's the walking that's the part I'm struggling with.

Would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks

💗

[Hidden]

Hi,Sorry to hear you're struggling so much.

I've not had it anywhere near like you have but did get lower back ache with twinges down my right bum cheek towards the end of my second two pregnancies and painful right groin twinges in my first big I had been too active. I think it's a lot to do with how the baby is positioned and if they're aggravating a nerve.

Obviously my situation hasn't been as bad as yours but I did find that pregnancy massage helped. If you do some research and get a good practitioner in your area they should also be able to recommend some light exercises/movements you can do at home too. You don't have to go on a waiting list but you do have to pay for it. Not sure what tier you are in? Are massages allowed in your area?

[AllWeNeedIsluv in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I'll take a look on in tier 3 so not sure if its allowed. I'll check though. I know iv got pretty bad adhesions on my left side i have a feeling its them pressing on the nerve from my expanding uterus 😘💗

[Woodspenelope]

Hi Sorry to hear this, I’m currently 23 weeks and at times the pain was unbearable. My bf brought me a JML leg support pillow on a whim (not a pregnancy pillow) I was very sceptical but can honestly say it’s practically gone! I don’t know how to add a photo but it’s just a small cushion that goes between your legs, I think it’s around £20 but I would 100% recommend x

[AllWeNeedIsluv in reply to Woodspenelope]

Thanks ill look into it, sorry your going through this too. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy 😘💗

[Manth85]

Hi, I am now 37 weeks pregnant with my second and have suffered terribly with sciattica for the past few weeks. It was so excruciating I ended up calling 111 and they took me into hospital for some pain relief! (Baring in mind I had zero pain relief with my first baby when in labour!) So I get the pain you are experiencing.

I found paracetamol barely touched it but was prescribed some tablets from the maternity ward.... dihydrocodiene. Safe in pregnancy. I only took them when I really needed them. Worth speaking to your doctor or midwife if the pain is unbearable.

I also saw an osteopath who treated the buttock and leg. He advised not to use heat to soothe it but cold (ice/peas in a tea towel) which helped when sat or led down.

The pain is pretty much gone but i still have numbness all down the back of my right leg and my heel is completely dead. Which hurts when I walk. Had this for weeks and its not fading.

I have been referred for physio but my appointment is not until 18th Jan, after the baby is born! 🙄 so thats no good. I'm praying it goes once baby is born.

I have been shown some exercises to stretch out the muscles and nerve, which have helped...

sitting on edge of bed, stretch bad leg out in front, foot stretched up, slouch shoulders and raise head up and down slowly. Pulls all down the sciatic nerve.

Sit and bend knee (on bad side) out to side as far as you can and push down.

Then also like doing the splits, sit on floor with bent leg out (bad side) infront and other leg straight behind you. You'll feel the muscles and nerve stretching out.

It won't fix immediately but you should notice a difference after a little while of doing them.

I found it hard to find exercises to help without having to lay flat on your back or on your front, which is impossible.

Sorry for the long reply but I really hope some of this helps as I would have done anything to help ease the pain when it was at its worse.

Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy and I hope you can find some comfort from the sciatica.

[AllWeNeedIsluv in reply to Manth85]

So sorry you've been struggling too. Bless you. Iv been feeling my heel pull in pain all night through my sleep.Thank you so much i will give these a go for sure really appreciate your help.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth also hun 😘💗

[Afrohair]

Hi love! not sure where you are but think I ended up waiting 2 week for physio which my midwife referred me so it might be better to go through your midwife they gave me crutches for spd so you could just tell your midwife your not getting through to your doctor You can't be expected to wait that long.i will say this don't wait for your midwife to offer it you I had to push for it I rang the hospital first and said I can't cope then I eventually just said to my midwife can you refer me as I wanted a belly band mostly they have a number for you to self refer.I bought belly band but it never fit and I thought I'm not buying again when hospital provided it last pregnancy x

[AllWeNeedIsluv in reply to Afrohair]

Im at Antenatal tomorrow for my weekly check up so ill ask them thanks for that. Xx