Sciatica During Pregnancy

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the common name given to a set of symptoms caused by compression and irritation of the sciatic nerves. Excess pressure on any of the five lumbar nerve roots may also lead to the symptoms as they are the origins of the sciatic nerves. Sciatic nerves originate from the lower back region, travelling down the back of the legs before branching out to the feet. They are responsible for the feelings of touch and pain as well as muscle movements in the legs.

What Causes Sciatica in Pregnancy?

One of the most common causes is a slipped disk or a herniated disc (rupture in a spinal disk that causes the gel inside to leak out) due to the additional pressure put by the growing uterus on the sciatic nerves and the spine. However, slipped disk is not the only cause of the condition. During the third trimester, the baby starts shifting into the birth position which may place the baby directly on the nerves leading to severe symptoms of sciatica. ^[1]

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica during Pregnancy?

The signs and symptoms are similar to those caused by pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. However, those associated with sciatica are usually more severe, affecting just one side of the body. The similarity of the symptoms often leads pregnant women to believe they are suffering from sciatica when in reality they have pelvic girdle pain. ^[2] The common symptoms usually include:

A tingling numbness that gradually transforms into a stabbing pain or burning sensation
Mild pain starting somewhere in the buttocks or lower back region before travelling down through the back of the legs to the foot
Pain that occurs sporadically
Acute muscle cramps
Groin pain (rare)

How to Prevent Sciatica during Pregnancy?

In most cases, there are no preventive measures for the symptoms. But, women in the habit of regular exercising throughout their lives are less prone to this nervous damage during their pregnancy. Regular exercise helps to maintain healthy muscle tones, enabling them to better support the weight of the uterus. Avoiding overeating prior to conception and during the early stages of pregnancy (first trimester) may also help.

How is Sciatica during Pregnancy Diagnosed?

It does not usually require any diagnostic tests as the symptoms are enough for the doctors to identify the condition. However, imaging tests like MRI may be necessary in case it affects the functioning of the sciatic nerves.

How to Manage Sciatica Pain during Pregnancy?

Bed rest
Applying a heating pad ^[3] or an ice pack (depending on what eases the pain more effectively)
Swimming (as it makes one feel light and weightless) ^[4]
Wearing flat shoes to prevent jolting the spine while walking
Practicing proper posture and keeping the back slightly arched to prevent hurting the spine ^[5]
Using a small pillow or cushion to support the back when sitting
Avoiding lifting any heavy objects (in any case, make sure to bend from the knees, keeping the back straight)
Avoiding activities that may hurt the body in any way
Wearing a belt around your belly to support the bump
Avoiding sitting or standing still for prolonged periods
Making sure to lie on the opposite side of the pain
Doctors often recommend sleeping on a firm mattress ^[6]
Using fluffy pillows for supporting the bump in bed, especially when sleeping
To get into bed, sitting on the edge with the legs together and then lying down on one’s side before pulling the legs onto the bed
Using crutches in case of extreme pain

How to Treat Sciatica Pain during Pregnancy?

The main object of treatment is to reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerves that helps to deal with the symptoms.

Manual physical therapy by a licensed therapist
Massage therapy ^[7]
Exercises and stretches ^[8]
Osteopathic treatment
Anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen) can be used for relieving the pain after delivery, but are not prescribed during pregnancy
Chiropractic treatment
Acupuncture ^[9]
Yoga ^[10]

Exercises for Sciatica Pain Relief

Doing regular stretches and exercises can help to manage the pain by strengthening the spine, stomach muscles, hips, pelvic floor and back. In case of persistent sciatica, one needs to continue the exercises even after the baby is born. The pain may refuse to go away for months after delivery, with following a proper exercise routine being the most effective remedy. Exercises generally recommended during pregnancy include:

Squat and Stretch
Pelvic Tilt
Reverse Curl
Chair Stretch

It is important to consult an expert before practicing any of the above exercises.

How Long Does Sciatica Last During Pregnancy?

In most cases, the symptoms subside within six weeks, while some may take around 12 weeks to recover completely. For some women, mild symptoms may persist for about 6 months after delivery, causing temporary disability.

Sciatica ICD-9 and ICD-10 Codes

The ICD-9 code for Sciatica is 724.3 while its ICD-10 code is M54.3 -M54.4

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