HELP ME! Pregnancy Sciatica

[KABB]

I have an Anterior Placenta, which I've read may contribute to pregnancy related sciatica. I had my first bout/attack/spasm (whatever it's called) of Sciatica and was in severe pain half the night and less severe pain, but still debilitating pain, yesterday. Today, my leg is OK (thankfully) but my lower back is killing me. 

I have not talked to either Perinatologist or OB yet about this but would like to be liked to any (more natural) resources, sites, exercises, remedies, etc. for Sciatica during pregnancy. I would like to avoid pain medications, especially the very strong narcotic ones, but fear that if I have another bout like I had Friday night during the day I may have to rely on pain meds just to take care of my other children (ranging in age from 14 years to 2 years), if I can't help this on my own. 

I was planning on buying an Exercise/Birthing ball for labor and may do that sooner rather than later because I've read that may help the Sciatica (and possibly SPD too which I had when I was pregnant with my older son. I've also been to the Spinning Babies site and posted on their FB page but other than that haven't found much help besides do pelvic tilts (which I started yesterday) to go see a chiropractor to stuff like sleep on a harder surface, etc.

ETA: I'd like to avoid going to a Chiropractor if I can. I worked for two of them and do not have a good view of them at all. 

I'll also add that this baby has always seemed to be very low and currently really likes to lay across my belly though he does move and switch positions on a regular basis. When the bout of pain started Friday night he was on the opposite side but I was laying on the side the pain was on.  On Friday night I took two Tylenol and used BenGay from the sole of my foot all the way up to my crotch and lower back. 

Edited by KABB - 6/26/11 at 12:50pm

[proud2bemommy]

i have a anterior placenta with this one and have two been having bad back pain and leg pains and such but the placenta moves around in your uterus alot so chances are it will move for ya my pain has been easing up a great deal and my doctor says chances are it will move well before next u/s

[KABB]

I was wondering about that also. Kadie's placenta went from being complete previa to "up and back" like it's "suppose" to be so I'm hopefully this one will move up also but that doesn't help me in the meantime, lol! 

[cat13]

That's interesting to hear that sciatica is related to placenta location. I have been having some leg issues at night for the last couple of months, but I didn't get a US, so I don't know if it's related or not for me.  

I did end up seeing a chiro for a while when the pain was at it's worst, but I don't know if that is what helped or not.  A bunch of things happened around the same time that may have contributed to the help... baby moved from transverse to head down, saw the chiro a few times, started swimming 2x per week, started going to pre natal yoga, and had a big growth spurt to feel like baby had some more room in there.  

My friend who is an acupuncturist said that if it starts getting really bad again that I could schedule a session with her, and that she's helped out with this before. Have you considered that route?

Hope you get some relief soon!

[Abraisme]

I know that you said that you don't want to go to a chiro..  However, it's been the only thing that has helped me.  I have all sorts of pregnancy related pelvic and hip pain.  Since this is baby #3 it has started much earlier this time (started around 12w).   My midwives convinced me to go to a chiro and I went from waddling like an old person to being able to carry my toddler again!  It was sooo worth it! 

[KABB]

I had a friend of mine, that lives in FL (we live in NY so this was based over things she had read and not hands on exam or anything) tell me it may be Sacroiliac dysfunction. This isn't my first Rodeo, as this say, and that may be coming into play here. It would also explain the PSD/SPD I had with my son and the misery I went through beginning at 27 weeks. 

I posted on the Spinning Babies facebook wall and they said "This is quite fixable with movement and posture." I have an appointment with my OB on Friday and will discuss it with him then. I am also prepared to go to the Perinatologist if I feel my OB is blowing this off. So far today I have been relatively pain free--knock on wood--but I can feel that something just isn't right somewhere.