Where Back Pain Hurts More than Most - Sciatic Nerve Pain

When I first started getting back pains, I kept shrugging it off. After all, I know that back pains are very common in women during pregnancy and this is just part and parcel of the routine. However, as the weeks passed and the pain worsened; a hint of realization came to me that perhaps this is not just any back pain. It is centralized, stinging and the pain is at the point of excruciating. I kept thinking, "Either there is something really wrong with me or I really cannot take the burden of pregnancy".

If anyone walks behind me now, they will get extremely frustrated. Mainly because a turtle is walking in front of them and greatly slowing down their speed. I have seen passer-bys who overtook me and stare at me just to confirm their suspicions the reason why I am walking so slowly (Ok , currently many people commented that I don't look pregnant from behind also - Hallelujah!)


I tried all sorts of methods. Switching positions, sitting down, trying pre-natal massage (it didn't help...) but the pain was still there. It has come to a point that the pain would shoot right up the moment I switch positions or be in a position, e.g. getting up from a seat, walking down steps, walking, lying down, sitting. Seriously, there must be something seriously wrong somewhere.

So I tried googling. There is a saying that if Google don't have the answers you want you are doomed. Well, I did get some suggestions but the suggestion provided were scary enough. I first typed "extreme back pain, lower, pregnancy", pressed Google and the first thing that appeared was Sciatic Nerve Pain.  The following information is sourced from various articles from the internet.

What is a Sciatic Nerve?
The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that runs from the lower back to the back of the legs and feet. Typically this nerve allows feeling in the muscles of the legs and feet. There are times however when the sciatic nerve can become inflamed, whether from pressure in the back or injury.
(Read the Article Here.)

How Does it Affect Pregnancy?
In a pregnant woman it sometimes happens that the position of the fetus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, especially during the last few months of pregnancy. In all age groups, sciatica may occur as the result of muscle spasm or of sitting for long periods in a cramped or awkward position, such as during a long airplane flight.

Pregnancy and labor. Some women, when they begin labor, will have a nagging lower backache that comes and goes with regularity. If a woman is expecting a baby in a posterior position (baby is head down, facing toward mother's pubic bone instead of her backbone), back labor is a frequent occurrence. It can be very intense back pain due to the pressure of the baby's skull pressing against the tailbone.
(Read the Article Here)

Who is Vulnerable to this?

Some studies have found sciatica more prevalent among sedentary persons particularly smokers and those who spend many hours behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. But as the JAMA and Lancet articles indicate, highly active persons are also vulnerable.

(Read the Article Here.)

Seriously, I was busy praying silently that the pain is not due to this problem. What's worse is that there were articles that stated that during labour; there will be some minutes of rest intervals between contractions. If you have this Scatic Nerve problem, the pain will be continuous with out any intervals of rest! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I am so going to see my gynaecologist tomorrow for a peace of mind.