Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a magical period in your life. But bringing a tiny human into the world requires your body to go through a lot of changes, some of which aren’t so magical. Along with morning sickness and fatigue, many women will experience sciatic nerve pain, making it difficult to sleep, walk, or even sit comfortably.

Sciatica is a common issue pregnant women face at some point during their pregnancy, In fact, about 50% of pregnant women suffer from lower back pain during their pregnancies or during the postpartum period. But not all sciatic pain has the same cause. While most cases are temporary and related to pregnancy changes, some women experience symptoms from an underlying spine condition, such as a herniated disc, that requires medical attention. Let’s explore what causes sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy, how to find relief, and when you should seek specialized care.

Pregnancy sciatica typically happens when your growing uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips and down each leg. As your baby grows, the increased weight and shifting center of gravity can compress this nerve, causing pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates down one or both legs.

Your body also produces a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy, which loosens the ligaments in your pelvis to prepare for delivery. While necessary for childbirth, it can affect the stability of your lumbar spine and contribute to nerve compression.

Pregnancy sciatic nerve pain most commonly begins in the second or third trimester when your baby’s size puts more pressure on the sciatic nerve. However, some women notice symptoms as early as the first trimester, particularly if they had lower back issues before becoming pregnant. 

Several at-home approaches can help relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy. But before adding any new movement to your routine, be sure to consult your obstetrician. You can start with gentle stretching exercises that target your lower back and hips. Prenatal yoga poses are often effective. Swimming may also provide excellent relief because the water supports your weight and takes pressure off the sciatic nerve.

Talk to your doctor about applying warm compresses to your lower back for 15–20 minutes at a time. Physical therapy designed for pregnancy can teach you proper body mechanics and exercises to strengthen your spine’s supporting muscles. Using a pregnancy support belt can help by redistributing your baby’s weight. Avoid prolonged standing, heavy lifting, and activities that twist your spine or increase nerve compression.

Sleeping with sciatica during pregnancy requires strategic positioning. Sleep on your left side with a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned and reduce strain on your lumbar spine. Place another pillow under your belly for support as your pregnancy progresses.

A firm mattress helps prevent nerve pain by maintaining proper spinal alignment. If you wake up with increased pain, try drawing your knees up toward your chest, which can open space in your spine and temporarily relieve sciatic nerve pain.

Normal pregnancy sciatica typically improves with rest and position changes. The pain may come and go depending on your baby’s position and your daily activities. While uncomfortable, it shouldn’t prevent you from performing basic daily tasks or progressively worsen. Remember that your body goes through amazing changes during pregnancy, and while it may be confusing and overwhelming at times, you know your body best. If you find that your symptoms are progressively worsening, consult with your obstetrician about seeing a top spine specialist, like those at Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine. 

More serious symptoms include severe pain that doesn’t respond to position changes, numbness or weakness in your leg that’s getting worse, difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, or pain that’s consistent and unrelenting. If you had back pain before pregnancy that’s now dramatically worse, this could indicate a condition like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis being aggravated by pregnancy.

Yes, sometimes a herniated disc can cause sciatica during pregnancy. While most pregnancy sciatica is a result of your uterus pressing on the nerve, a herniated disc involves actual damage to the cushioning discs between your vertebrae. When the soft inner material pushes through its outer layer, it can press directly on nerve roots and cause severe nerve pain.

Herniated disc symptoms are usually more severe and persistent, and they don’t change with the positional adjustments that typically help pregnancy-related sciatica. You know your body best. If you think you may have a herniated disc, ask your obstetrician about seeking a clear diagnosis and treatment plan from the top specialists of herniated disc treatment in Indiana. At Goodman Campbell, our team of neurosurgeons, interventional pain management physicians and allied health professionals work hand in hand to determine whether your symptoms stem from pregnancy changes or an underlying condition and provide ways to promote healing during your pregnancy. 

You should consult a spine specialist if your sciatica pain is severe enough to interfere with walking, sleeping, or daily activities despite trying conservative relief methods. A sudden onset of severe sciatic nerve pain, numbness spreading down your leg, or any loss of strength warrants immediate evaluation.

While it is rare, “saddle anesthesia”—numbness in your inner thighs, buttocks, or genital area—or any changes in bladder or bowel function could indicate serious nerve compression requiring urgent attention.

For most women, pregnancy sciatic nerve pain resolves within weeks to a few months after delivery as the pressure on the sciatic nerve disappears and your body returns to its pre-pregnancy alignment. Once your baby is born and your hormones stabilize, the ligaments that loosened during pregnancy will tighten again, improving spinal stability.

Postpartum sciatica that lingers beyond the first few months may indicate that pregnancy revealed or worsened an existing spine condition.

If your sciatica persists beyond three months postpartum, it’s time to investigate whether an underlying spine condition, such as a herniated disc, is causing your symptoms. Continuing nerve pain after delivery suggests the problem wasn’t just pregnancy pressure but actual structural changes in your spine that need evaluation and treatment.

If you’re pregnant or recently had a baby and your sciatic nerve pain isn’t improving or you’re concerned about persistent symptoms, consult with your obstetrician and ask about the spine specialists at Goodman Campbell. As a global leader in brain and spine care, we provide sciatica treatment that Indiana patients and families can access without traveling far from home. Our neurosurgeons and specialists have extensive training and are here for you during this special time. Contact us to get started on the road to relief from sciatica pain.