Sciatica During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & Relief

Question
Last Friday my wife entered the 27 week of her pregnancy.  In the past couple of weeks she has begun to have very intense sharp pains in her right hip and upper leg.  We have been told this is a result of the baby resting on her sciatic nerve.  Until Sunday night it has been only a small annoyance as it comes and goes relatively quickly.  Usually it comes in the evening just as we are going to bed and my wife lies down.  She is okay if she stands or sits.

However, Sunday night the pain became very intense once she lay down.  We spent the next 6 hours trying to find ways she could lay down or even sit in which she could sleep without such terrible pain.  Nothing worked and she hurt so badly every time we tried that she just sobbed all night.  We tried a number of things to try to get the baby to shift; pulling her knees up to her chest, getting down on all fours and raising the right leg, elevating the legs, nothing worked.  About 4:00 in the morning the baby finally moved so she was able to get a few hours rest.

As a husband it pains me intensely to see my wife hurt so much and in so much pain.  These pains seem to be occurring with more frequency as of late as well.  Her doctor has also not been able to give us much helpful advice.

Can you give us any suggestions?

Thank You

Answer
During the pregnancy, the uterus tends to lie on top of the sciatic nerve (which is located in the lower back). The pressure of the uterus tends to cause firing of the nerve and impulses are sent down the sides of each leg all the way to the foot. You can relieve the pain with Tylenol, heating pads, warm showers, or hot baths. It is important to get the uterus off the nerve. Try lying on the left side, so that the uterus will shift off the nerve (and also off the Vena Cava and allow better blood flow from the lower extremities to the heart). There is not much else to do. It will pass. Good luck with the pregnancy.