Sciatica during pregnancy - are there any cures?

The sciatic nerve is the largest one in the body - it enables your legs to move and to feel, so it is quite an essential nerve! It passes under the uterus and stretches to the legs, and when you are pregnant, your baby can press on the sciatic nerve in such a way that it causes a terrible amount of pain. Sciatica presents as lower back pain, that radiates out to your buttocks and legs. It is by no means the most common type of pregnancy back pain, but if you do suffer from sciatica while you are pregnant, it will be very unpleasant. Are there any cures?

If you have been diagnosed with sciatica, there are several proactive things that you can do to gain some pain relief. These steps range from simple things you can do in the comfort of your own home, to receiving medication to make the pain go away. Sciatica can occur throughout the legs but often concentrates on one side of the body. One simple remedy that helps quite a few women who have sciatica is laying down on the side that is not causing them most pain. Heat therapy can also be of help, both with cold and hot objects. Try ice packs, or simply frozen peas, on the spots that are the most painful. Cherry-pit pillows or pillows filled with buckwheat are wonderful if you want a hot pack. You can pop them in the oven or the microwave for a while, and your pillow will stay hot for quite some time and can provide a lot of relief.

You can also try maternity pillows to help you sleep. They work for some women with sciatica. If other things don't work and your daily activities are severely impacted by your sciatica, there are always drugs. Talk to your doctor about pain relief medications that are safe for pregnant women. It is better to have a drug-free pregnancy of course, but sometimes you do need a little help. As a final note, let me just say that not all pregnancy back pain is sciatica. If you are experiencing back pain, make sure to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.