I experienced this slight pain in my right bum area these few days, but more so on Friday, which I could not figure out what was it. It only happened at certain angles that I sat/walked and the pain would be slightly acute and sharp. Not something that unbearable but something to make me feel uncomfortable. It felt like you needed to rub the pain area or stretch it such that the pain would just go away. Anyway, I brought this up to the physiotherapist after our antenatal class today. She suggested that it could be some form of Sciatica symptom. She said it does happen in some pregnant women, so nothing to be too alarmed about. Unfortunately, nothing could really stop it until after pregnancy according to her! I can only do certain stretching exercises to help at the moment.
Well, I then came across this article in babycenter, so thought I'd share some excerpts of it here. But some of the facts don't quite tie in with what the physio said. Hmmm.....
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve which comes from your lower back and travels down the back of your legs and then branches out to your feet. It allows you to feel sensations and move muscles in your legs. Sciatica is where inflammation or pressure from the back causes the sciatic nerve to become painful. Sometimes, the function of the nerve can become impaired resulting in weakness or pins and needles. Sciatica can be present with or without backache and can send pain down the back of your leg.
Why might it happen in pregnancy?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence to suggest that sciatica is caused by anything specifically related to pregnancy. Pregnancy related changes can cause pelvic pain and back ache, but not sciatica. The majority of women who think they have sciatica during pregnancy actually have a condition known as Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). Sciatica is not caused by the baby pressing on a nerve. In younger people, it is often caused by damage to a disc leading to inflammation around the nerve or direct pressure from a prolapsed or 'slipped' disc. In older people, it may be due to compression from a ligament or bone. Neither of these situations occur more frequently in pregnancy and the chances are that if you do have sciatica during pregnancy, it would have come on whether you were pregnant or not.
Self-help tips
Well, for now I would say that my condition is not that serious, still ok, the pain does occur once in a while. Just pray that it will not get worse.
Oh yeh, the antenatal class today focused on the stages of labour and breathing techniques to use. It also highlighted about the pain relief methods. To be honest, I have not fully decided whether or not to take an epidural. One part of me want to experience labour in full and just go through without it. But as I think more and more, I probably want to have the epidural in mind to take when I should....even though the thought of the jab itself is also pretty scary!! Oh gosh, I think no one can really explain to you the feeling of labour till you experience it yourself....
Well, I then came across this article in babycenter, so thought I'd share some excerpts of it here. But some of the facts don't quite tie in with what the physio said. Hmmm.....
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve which comes from your lower back and travels down the back of your legs and then branches out to your feet. It allows you to feel sensations and move muscles in your legs. Sciatica is where inflammation or pressure from the back causes the sciatic nerve to become painful. Sometimes, the function of the nerve can become impaired resulting in weakness or pins and needles. Sciatica can be present with or without backache and can send pain down the back of your leg.
Why might it happen in pregnancy?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence to suggest that sciatica is caused by anything specifically related to pregnancy. Pregnancy related changes can cause pelvic pain and back ache, but not sciatica. The majority of women who think they have sciatica during pregnancy actually have a condition known as Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). Sciatica is not caused by the baby pressing on a nerve. In younger people, it is often caused by damage to a disc leading to inflammation around the nerve or direct pressure from a prolapsed or 'slipped' disc. In older people, it may be due to compression from a ligament or bone. Neither of these situations occur more frequently in pregnancy and the chances are that if you do have sciatica during pregnancy, it would have come on whether you were pregnant or not.
Self-help tips
- Applying a heat or an ice pack to the painful area for ten minutes can provide relief and is safe in pregnancy.
- Wearing flat, soft shoes may help prevent jarring of the spine when you walk, however, some women find that wearing shoes with a bit of heel helps their back pain. Ask your physiotherapist for advice.
- Keep mobile and avoid sitting still for long periods.
- Listen to your body and stop doing whatever is causing you pain.
- Watch your posture and try to keep your back as straight as possible. When seated use a small bolster cushion or a rolled up towel behind your back to support the spine.
- Use pillows and cushions to support your bump in bed.
- Avoid heavy lifting -- if you do have to lift anything, always bend from your knees and keep your back straight.
Well, for now I would say that my condition is not that serious, still ok, the pain does occur once in a while. Just pray that it will not get worse.
Oh yeh, the antenatal class today focused on the stages of labour and breathing techniques to use. It also highlighted about the pain relief methods. To be honest, I have not fully decided whether or not to take an epidural. One part of me want to experience labour in full and just go through without it. But as I think more and more, I probably want to have the epidural in mind to take when I should....even though the thought of the jab itself is also pretty scary!! Oh gosh, I think no one can really explain to you the feeling of labour till you experience it yourself....
