Coping With Leg Numbness during Pregnancy
Dr.Kut | Apr 06, 2011 | Comments 0
Leg Numbness during Pregnancy:
Wonders and miracles happen during pregnancy. It’s the time in woman’s life where along with happiness, they feel erratic changes in their hormones and weight along with a lot of physical discomfort during pregnancy. One of these discomforts is the numbness on the lower extremities felt by women especially during the later part of their pregnancy. Knowing what causes this uncomfortable sensation and how to effectively alleviate it will enable expectant moms to better cope with the stress brought about by this condition; and we all know that less stress is better for both the babies and moms.
What Causes Leg Numbness during Pregnancy?
As the fetus grows inside the mother’s uterus, more and more pressure compresses the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the legs and feet. That is why when the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus, the sciatic nerve is affected thus a feeling of numbness sometimes accompanied by pain or tingling discomfort is felt on the extremities. It may last for a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes, sometimes it happens intermittently throughout the day and sometimes some lucky women experience none. Some pregnant women are able to cope with it but sometimes when it becomes too severe and become excruciatingly painful, it should be reported to your physician at once because of the dangers it may present.
Alleviating Discomfort of Leg Numbness during Pregnancy :
Pressure to the sciatic nerve causes numbness. So it is advisable to take a rest once the numbness starts. The key here is to relax and focus on proper breathing exercise especially when the numbness starts to become a bit painful. Raising your legs up, preferable above the heart reduces the stress on your nerves located in your legs. This will prevent not only numbness but varicose veins as well. Do not put extra pressure on your back or legs but moving or bending abruptly. Do it slowly or if possible as for assistance. To provide more relief, try to put heating pads on the affected leg and try to get as much rest as possible.
When Leg Numbness during Pregnancy Becomes Serious:
After the baby is born the numbness felt on the legs usually disappears. That is because the baby that usually causes the pressure on the sciatic nerve is now out of the uterus. However if leg numbness still persists even after the baby is born, then it’s time to see a doctor, specifically a neurologist. Leg numbness post pregnancy may be an indication of a severe problem that happened to the sciatic nerve during pregnancy. Asses your legs everyday for other signs and symptoms like redness, swelling, pain or difficulty walking. These are abnormal signs and symptoms that should be immediately brought to your doctor’s attention. Physiotherapy, medications like anti inflammatory or narcotics for severe pain, surgery or spinal decompression in very extreme cases may be needed to provide resolution to this serious condition.
Learning how to properly cope with leg numbness during pregnancy will enable you appreciate more the joy of pregnancy. Though preventing it is next to impossible, because the baby will continuously grow in the uterus, but knowing what to avoid and what to do during these times of discomfort will help lessen the intensity of the numbness and pain. If all else fails don’t forget to mention it to your physician in order to prevent any permanent damage in the long run.
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Filed Under: Bones, Joints and Muscles • Women's health
