During pregnancy, the body goes through many physiological changes. As your baby grows, your body adjusts too. Sometimes this can be painful. A common problem among pregnant women is sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, which is generally described as pain that travels from the sciatic nerve, located in the lower spine, to the back of the thigh. The sciatic(坐骨神經痛) nerve is the largest nerve in our body and is also the leg the main nerve.
Symptoms of Sciatica
The pain caused by sciatica ranges from mild to excruciating and affects our quality of life. You may notice tingling in one part of your body and pain in another. Sciatica symptoms include:
burning sensation in the lower back and buttocks
Pain from the pelvis to the back of the leg
a sudden onset of pain, often compared to an electric shock
Pain that worsens when you cough, sneeze, or sit for long periods of time
Numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in one leg or foot
Causes of Sciatica During Pregnancy
Sciatica occurs when the spine is compressed in some way. It squeezes the sciatic nerve, causing inflammation, numbness, and pain. Usually, this is the result of a herniated disc or bone overgrowth on the vertebrae. When you're pregnant, your body releases a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes your ligaments and prepares your pelvis for labor. However, loose ligaments and a growing uterus can shift the body's center of gravity and squeeze the sciatic nerve, causing pain in our legs. Therefore, during pregnancy, the likelihood of sciatica increases. In fact, low back pain and sciatic nerve problems are so common that it can happen at any stage of your pregnancy, but you can rest assured that it won't hurt your baby.