sciatica.
last revised · reviewed 2026-07-05
Sciatica in pregnancy is pain that shoots from the lower back or buttock down the back of one leg, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. It is most common in the third trimester and usually improves with stretching, position changes, and physiotherapy.
what it feels like
A sharp, shooting, burning, or electric pain running from one buttock down the back of the thigh — sometimes as far as the calf or foot — often with tingling, pins and needles, or patches of numbness. It is typically one-sided and flares with sitting, standing up, or certain movements.
why it happens
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower spine through the buttock down each leg. Pregnancy posture, the loosening effect of relaxin, tight buttock muscles working overtime, and sometimes the position of the baby can all irritate or compress the nerve along that path — producing pain along its whole route.
what helps
- Gentle stretches for the buttock and hip — a seated figure-four stretch is a classic; a physiotherapist can tailor a set
- Change position frequently; avoid long stretches of sitting, especially on soft sofas
- Sleep on the pain-free side with a pillow between your knees
- Warmth on the buttock or lower back relaxes the muscles around the nerve
- Keep gently active — walking and swimming usually help more than rest
- Paracetamol is generally considered safe for flare-ups — confirm with your midwife
- Ask your midwife for a physiotherapy referral if it persists or limits your day
when to call your midwife or doctor
- Numbness in the saddle area (where you'd sit on a bike), or trouble controlling your bladder or bowels — emergency; seek help immediately
- Weakness in the leg or foot, such as the foot dragging or slapping when you walk — call your doctor promptly
- Pain that is severe, worsening, or affecting both legs
- Sciatica alongside fever or after a fall — call your midwife or doctor
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call — no midwife has ever minded a careful question.
common questions
Is the baby pressing on my sciatic nerve?
Sometimes the baby's position contributes, but most pregnancy sciatica comes from posture changes, loosened ligaments, and tight buttock muscles irritating the nerve rather than the baby directly. That is good news: stretching and physiotherapy target exactly those causes.
How is sciatica different from pelvic girdle pain?
Sciatica shoots down the back of one leg, often with tingling or numbness, following the line of the nerve. Pelvic girdle pain sits in the joints — pubic bone, groin, hips, lower back — and flares with stairs, one-legged standing, and turning in bed. They can coexist, and physiotherapy helps both.
Will pregnancy sciatica go away on its own?
Usually, yes — most cases settle after birth as posture, hormones, and load return to normal. During pregnancy, regular stretching, position changes, and physiotherapy keep most women comfortable. Persistent numbness or leg weakness, though, should always be assessed by a doctor.
read it in context
Sciatica tends to show up around these weeks of pregnancy:
related symptoms
- Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks are irregular 'practice' tightenings of the uterus that can start from mid-pregnancy and become more noticeable in the third trimester.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome — tingling, numbness, and aching in the fingers and hand — affects up to a third of pregnant women, usually in the third trimester.
- Leg cramps
Sudden, painful calf cramps — usually at night — affect around half of pregnant women, most often in the second and third trimesters.
know what's normal, week by week
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