Symptoms of Sciatica in Pregnancy

Sciatica is a medical condition caused by inflammation of your sciatic nerve, which serves your lower back and each leg down to your toes. Sciatica during pregnancy is common due to changes in your posture, body weight and increased pressure on your back from your growing baby. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, symptoms of sciatica in pregnancy include muscle cramps and numbness.

Aches

• Sciatica during pregnancy may cause you to experience more aches in your lower back, and the aches may extend into the muscles of your buttocks and thighs.

Cramps

• You may experience strong muscle cramps in one leg at a time during pregnancy, which is a symptom of sciatica.

Incontinence

• During the last few months of your pregnancy, you may experience incontinence of your bladder or bowels as a result of sciatica.

Numbness

• Sciatica may cause you to have numbness in the muscles of your lower legs as well as a temporary loss of feeling in your feet and toes.

Tingling

• You may have tingling or a prickling sensation in your leg muscles, which is a symptom of sciatica that usually happens in one leg at a time.

Weakness

• The muscles of your thighs and calves may become weaker and cause you quickly get tired while walking or exercising as a result of sciatica during your pregnancy.