Location:
Call: 040 4488 5333
[email protected]

27 January, 2020

Know more about Sciatica during pregnancy

The largest nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve is responsible for providing sensation to the back of the thigh, lower part of the leg and the sole of the foot. Sciatic pain or Sciatica occurs in about 50 to 80 percent of women during pregnancy. It is caused by irritation of your sciatic nerve, which starts in the lower spine area and leads towards the thighs. The pain can be deep, dull or even a shooting, sharp pain. It is more common in the second and third trimester, when the growing baby puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. There are treatments available for sciatica during pregnancy and your doctor should be able to help you with it.

Causes of Sciatica

Contrary to popular belief, sciatica isn’t caused only due to pregnancy. The pain is usually due to lumbar spine problems, such as a bulging or herniated disc. Even change in bone structure caused by stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease or any other condition affecting the spine can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and lead to sciatic pain.

Symptoms of sciatica can also be caused by tension of muscles and due to unstable joints. During pregnancy, pain in the pelvic bone, and a condition called piriformis syndrome (a problem with one of the muscles in the buttocks) are more common reasons for sciatic pain. The increased levels of pregnancy hormones such as relaxin causes the ligaments to loosen and stretch, especially in the pelvic area, and lead to sciatica.

The weight of a growing baby also adds to joint problems or piriformis syndrome, as it puts more pressure on the pelvis and hip joints. Sometimes, the position of the baby can also affect sciatic nerve and add pressure.

Treatment Options

Massages, chiropractic care and physical therapy are the recommended options of treatment for sciatic pain during pregnancy. Our doctors at KIMS Cuddles can tell you more about this. Pregnant women can also try some self-help treatments at home which includes exercises to stretch the muscles of the leg, buttocks, and hip in order to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. They may also try swimming after consultation with their doctor.

Some easy stretching exercises include:

  1. Seated piriformis stretch: This easy to perform stretch involves sitting on a chair, with feet flat on the ground. If you experience pain on the left side, lift your left ankle to put it on your right knee. Keep a straight back, lean forward until you feel a stretch through your buttocks and hold this pose for 30 seconds. Repeat this several times a day.
  2. Table stretch: This stretch involves standing facing a table, with feet slightly wider than the hips. Keeping your arms straight, back flat and hands on the table, lean forward. Then pull your hips away from the table, until you feel a stretch in the lower back and the back of your legs. If you can, move your hips sideways to increase the stretch. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute and repeat twice a day.

Sciatic pain can be extremely bothersome during pregnancy. You can find some relief by doing stretching exercise which can decrease muscle tension and increase hip movement. Sitting or standing for longer durations will only increase sciatic pain. Make sure you keep some kind of movement throughout the day to reduce the pain. Always seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or bleeding. Hope this blog about sciatica during pregnancy was helpful to you. Talk to our experts at KIMS Cuddles to know more about treatment options for sciatica during pregnancy.

**Information shared here is for general purpose. Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.

SIMILAR ARTICLES

blog featured image

25 September, 2026

Myths About Fertility Treatments

Fertility treatments are vulnerable to misinformation. They exist at the intersection of medicine, emotion and personal hope of being a parent. Myths about IVF and infertility treatment circulate freely in conversations and on social media. Although people mean well, inaccurate advice without any clinical basis can lead a person to accept random myths. These myths can delay decisions for couples struggling to conceive but are unsure about IVF. It can lead to unnecessary anxiety and expectations that are not true. Therefore, understanding IVF myths facts can help people go through this journey smoothly.Myth: IVF Guarantees PregnancyThis is one of the most damaging misconceptions because it sets couples up for profound disappointment when a cycle does not result in a baby. IVF is an infertility treatment, but it does not mean pregnancy is always possible. IVF success reality is different because there are various factors involved in it. For women under 35, live birth rates are only 40-50% per cycle. These rates decline with age. Many couples may need multiple cycles, and even with repeated attempts, not every couple achieves a pregnancy. Starting treatment with accurate expectations can protect mental health and also help couples make informed decisions at each stage. Myth: IVF is the only Fertility Treatment OptionMany people believe IVF can solve
Read More
blog featured image

23 September, 2026

IVF Success Factors Explained

One of the first questions almost every couple asks when considering IVF is a simple one: what are our chances? The honest answer is that there is no single figure that applies to everyone. IVF success is shaped by a combination of biological, clinical, and lifestyle variables that interact differently for each person. Understanding what those variables are, and which of them can be influenced, helps couples approach treatment with realistic expectations and a clearer sense of what they can do to optimise their outcomes.Age: the most significant factorThe number one factor in IVF success is the age of the mother or egg donor. The younger the egg, the better its quality and the higher the probability of normal genetics.Women under 35 usually have success rates over 30% per cycle. Women over 40 may see rates below 10%. After three cycles, the cumulative success rate can reach 50 to 60% or more, depending on the population and other factors.The reason age matters so profoundly is egg quality. As women grow older, more eggs are affected by chromosomal abnormalities that lessen the possibility of fertilisation, hinder embryo development, raise the risk of miscarriage and decrease the odds of a successful pregnancy. This is not something IVF can fully overcome. It is why women using eggs
Read More
blog featured image

31 August, 2026

When Should Couples Seek Fertility Help?

Most couples who decide they want to start a family assume conception will happen relatively quickly. When it does not, the months of trying can bring a mix of confusion, frustration, and worry, along with a question that many are unsure how to answer: at what point does this become something to investigate medically? The answer depends on age, medical history, and a few specific circumstances that should prompt earlier rather than later action.Waiting too long to seek help is one of the most consistently documented patterns in fertility care. Most couples attempt to conceive for 22.3 months before presenting for fertility evaluation, almost a year beyond the recommended threshold. This delay can impair quality of life, impact treatment outcomes, and increase overall healthcare costs.The standard timelines for seeking helpFor a healthy couple in which the woman is under 35, infertility is typically defined as no pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. If the woman is 35 or older, the recommendation is to seek help after six months of trying without conceiving, since female fertility declines with age.If a woman is over 40, or a condition known to cause infertility is present, evaluation should not be delayed at all.These timelines reflect the biology of fertility decline. A 32-year-old and a 39-year-old are not in
Read More
Loading booking..