Sciatic nerve pain affects many women during and after pregnancy. It’s typically caused by pressure on the nerve from a growing uterus, shifts in posture, or spine and pelvic changes. This causes low back pain that can become quite debilitating, making it difficult to perform everyday activities.
At The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas, in Pearland, Houston, and Lake Jackson, Thomas Jones II, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with expertise in spine care who provides noninvasive and minimally invasive solutions that help patients find real, lasting relief.
Here’s what you need to know if sciatica is slowing you down during or after pregnancy.
As your baby grows, your body undergoes a wide range of changes to accommodate it. Your center of gravity shifts, your pelvis loosens, and certain ligaments and tendons relax. This can place added strain on your sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve — and you have one on each side of your lower body — is the body’s longest nerve, running from your lower spine down through your hips, buttocks, and legs. Even mild spinal misalignment or disc compression can irritate the nerve and trigger sharp, radiating pain.
Sciatic pain is most common in the second and third trimesters. Being on your feet for extended periods can worsen sciatica.
You might think sciatica will go away once the baby arrives, but that isn’t always the case. Hormonal changes, muscle strain from delivery, and poor body mechanics while lifting or nursing your baby can prolong or even trigger sciatic pain after birth.
At The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas, Dr. Jones prioritizes nonsurgical care whenever possible, taking a conservative approach to restoring function and eliminating pain. For pregnancy-related sciatica, this often includes:
Each treatment plan is customized to your body and your stage of recovery. Dr. Jones works closely with patients to adjust care plans as their body changes during and after pregnancy.
If conservative care hasn’t resolved your pain, especially postpartum, it may be time to explore other possible issues, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or instability. Dr. Jones uses advanced imaging and diagnostic tools to pinpoint the issue.
If minimally invasive surgery is needed, he uses techniques that reduce downtime and protect surrounding tissue, helping you recover faster so you can focus on your family.
Once you’ve experienced sciatica, you’re at risk of experiencing it again unless you take steps to protect your spine long-term. Small changes in how you move, lift, and even sit can reduce your risk of future flare-ups.
Our team at The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas can guide new moms on safe lifting techniques (especially when handling car seats and strollers), ergonomic baby care positions, and postpartum core-strengthening routines that stabilize the spine. Prioritizing spinal health after pregnancy helps your body recover and stay strong for the long haul.
Sciatica doesn’t have to be a part of your pregnancy story. With the appropriate treatment, you can achieve lasting comfort. Contact us today to schedule an assessment with Dr. Jones and begin moving pain-free again.
