What it is
Lower back pain pregnant, or a shooting pain down one buttock and leg: this is back pain and, sometimes, sciatica. The sciatic nerve runs from your low back through the buttock to the foot. Softer ligaments, a shifted center of gravity, and tight muscles can irritate it. About half to two thirds of pregnant women get back pain. True sciatica, with pain below the knee, is less common.
What's typical
Back pain often starts in the second trimester and builds with the weight of the baby. It is worse after standing, sitting, or lifting, and better lying down. Sciatica is sharp or electric, on one side, sometimes with tingling in the foot. Most back pain settles within a few months after birth.
What's known
ACOG lists exercise, physical therapy, heat, and support belts as first steps. Prenatal yoga and water exercise have trial support. Weakness in a leg or trouble with bladder control is a different problem.
What helps
- Sit with a small pillow behind your low back and your feet flat. Get up every 30 minutes.
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Heat on the low back, or a warm bath, loosens tight muscles.
- Gentle cat-cow stretches, pelvic tilts, and swimming are the ones mothers come back to.
When to call someone
- Nowback pain with fever, bleeding, or a new loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Todaypain in a rhythm every few minutes, which may be contractions, or leg weakness that is getting worse.
- At your next visitback pain that limits sleep or work. Ask for a physical therapy referral.
Who helps
Tools: Birthworker Directory
Related
- Pelvic girdle pain and SPDPregnancy: Your Body
- Round ligament painPregnancy: Your Body
- Moving your body in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain from feeding and carryingPostpartum: Your Body
What mothers here say
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Patient FAQ on back pain during pregnancy
- NHS — Back pain in pregnancy
Sources are named, not yet linked. The steward verifies each one and adds the link.
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