Pregnancy Week 25

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Pregnancy Week 25

By pregnancy week 25 your baby will continue maturing, but also start filling out a bit. While your baby will put on most of his or her weight during the third trimester, your baby does start adding some bulk around 25 weeks pregnant and beyond.

As you do start to grow bigger and the size of your uterus expands to about the size of a large kickball, you may notice you start feeling sporadic pressure or pain that runs from your pelvis or back down one leg. Often these sharp or shooting pains result when your abdomen places pressure on nerves in the lower back and leg.

Doctors officially describe this type of pain as "sciatica" another pregnancy symptom occurring during the latter part of pregnancy. For some women, sciatica is not much of a problem, and for others, it is a much larger problem.

If you find you feel excruciating pain more often than not, you can talk to your doctor about it. Most doctors will prescribe some gentle physical therapy and offer recommendations for treatment. Here are some examples of steps you can take during pregnancy week by week to reduce any pain associated with sciatica:

• Try reducing the pressure in your leg by sitting back and propping your feet up. While at rest try propping your feet above your heart to reduce discomfort.
  
  
• Apply heat to your leg if your muscles are affected.
  
  
• Try sleeping on a firm surface.
  
  
• Avoiding rapid movements or lots of bending which can place added pressure on the nerves in your body.
  
  
• Make sure you have a full body pillow like the Snoozer Pregnancy Pillow so you can rest comfortably while sleeping.
  
  
• Talk with your doctor about chiropractic care or additional physical therapy while pregnant.

While uncomfortable, most women find their sciatica subsides a short time after delivery. Keep in mind the wait is well worth it!

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