Sciatic nerve inflamed during pregnancy
Severe sciatic pain in the lumbar spine area, which radiates from the buttocks to the leg and foot, is a typical symptom of an inflamed sciatic nerve during pregnancy. In most cases, this pain only occurs on one side of the body, and it is extremely rare for the sciatic nerve to be inflamed on both sides. Even during pregnancy, the affected person can trigger the symptoms by coughing or sneezing heavily, while bending over and/or lifting the affected leg.
In addition, numbness, tingling and/or paralysis of the affected half of the body is often experienced. During pregnancy, there is a great risk of the sciatic nerve becoming inflamed. One reason for this is the fact that many anatomical structures are shifted in the course of the child’s growth and can therefore press on the nerve.
On the other hand, the child itself can exert enormous pressure on the sciatic nerve and in this way trigger the typical symptoms. Also the gluteal muscles, which are particularly stressed during pregnancy, are associated with the development of an inflammation of the sciatic nerve.As the weight distribution during the growth of the child is more and more shifted forward (ventral), the muscles of the buttocks are forced to build up more strength to keep the body upright. In those cases where the buttock muscles can be identified as the cause of the inflammation, various forms of heat therapy such as heat gels and/or compresses can be used to help the affected women.
In addition, light massages and targeted stretching exercises have proven to be enormously pain-reducing. Gentle treatment is not only unnecessary, but even counterproductive. Light and careful movement is considered one of the best treatment approaches for an inflamed sciatic nerve during pregnancy. When taking painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory preparations, the advice of a doctor should always be sought, as many medications should not be taken during an existing pregnancy.
