Feeling Pain in Your Hips and Butt?
The sciatic nerve runs down the lower back to the foot. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve gets pushed down on or trapped during pregnancy, leading to pains in the lower back, buttocks or a numb leg / foot (commonly just on one side).
Similar to Sciatica is Piriformis Syndrome which causes a pain in your buttocks.
What Causes Sciatica During Pregnancy?
- Weight gain in pregnancy
- Changes to weight distribution
- Changes to posture – during pregnancy, many women push their weight further forwards, which in turn makes the spine strain and curve unnaturally.
- Tightened butt muscles which trap the sciatic nerve that runs either under, over or through this muscle (Piriformis Syndrome).
- The hormone relaxin, which helps to relax the muscles in the lead up to the birth, can also cause joints and ligaments to move around slightly, sometimes affecting the nerve.
Recommendations for Sciatic Pain Relief During Pregnancy
- It is important to maintain good posture while sitting and standing.
- Move around regularly. Sitting for longer periods of time can aggravate the pain even more because muscles and ligaments stiffen up.
- Make sure you ask your chiropractor or osteopath to check where the nerve is trapped. They will be able to recommend stretches and exercises to help you relieve the pain and gradually set the nerve free again.