Herniated discs during pregnancy can cause severe back pain that can radiate to the buttocks and leg, causing tingling and altering quality of life, requiring medical assistance. Your doctor may prescribe the use of pain relievers, anti-inflammatory or a corticosteroid injection to control pain, but physiotherapy performed with hot compresses, stretching and spinal traction may also be indicated.
In addition, osteopathy is also an excellent ally as it manages to realign structures such as muscles, tendons and organs themselves, providing immediate pain relief without the need for medication. Acupuncture is another alternative as it rebalances the body’s energies, combating pain and inflammation by relieving symptoms.
Symptoms of a herniated disk during pregnancy may be more severe and the woman may have:
Because these symptoms can also occur when the sciatic nerve is affected, your doctor may not always conclude that it is a herniated disk without an exam. Ideally, no MRI or x-ray should be done during pregnancy.
Treatment options for herniated disks during pregnancy should be recommended by the obstetrician and may be indicated:
During pregnancy, a woman should not take medication without being notified by the doctor, as many pass them on to the baby. In case of mild pain, which does not go away with rest and hot compresses, acetaminophen may be used, with a maximum daily dose of 1 g, ibuprofen and tramadol may also be used, but only for medical advice.
When this is not enough to control pain, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection, which usually eliminates pain completely, but should only be applied in the most severe cases, where pain in your back and legs is very severe.
Pain can be controlled by resources such as hot compresses and stretches that should be done with the help of the physical therapist, so as not to aggravate the pain. It is also recommended to rest on the side, with a pillow between the legs, in case of pain.
Massage is not always indicated, as certain points of the spine can help stimulate childbirth, in addition the equipment normally used in physical therapy is cone indicated during pregnancy. The physical therapist may also place adhesive strips to help better hold the abdomen, which relieves pain.
Out of times of crisis, Pilates clinical exercises are another great way to keep your spine muscles stable and prevent a new seizure. Learn about some exercises that may be done during pregnancy to relieve symptoms.
Osteopathy is a type of treatment in which joints are twisted, including the spine, that cause states that help release the energy accumulated within these joints, providing a sense of relief and a greater possibility of movement. In some cases, repositioning organs, such as the liver, also helps fight pain, providing great symptom relief. Sessions are conducted with the osteopath, approximately once a week.
Acupuncture is also a good choice for moments of mild to moderate pain. It helps deflate structures and balance the body’s energies, so that it circulates better, which usually provides pain relief, without problems for the baby.
When symptoms are very severe and there is no improvement in pain during physiotherapy, medication and other alternatives, spine surgery may also be indicated, which is an option to consider.
Not all women with herniated discs will experience seizures during pregnancy because the hormone relaxin, present due to pregnancy, makes tendons and ligaments more flexible, which may be enough to prevent severe back pain during pregnancy.
However, in the most severe cases, when a woman has more than one herniated, extruded or abducted disc, a herniated disc attack can be so severe that it causes many disorders. The woman may be “stuck” and have difficulty moving, wearing high shoes, or having an older child on her lap, for example.
However, there is no absolute risk associated with the baby, but as the baby feels everything the mother feels, even if she doesn’t feel her pain, she may be exposed to more cortisol, which can make her more hectic. Some research shows that there is an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and speech delay in children of stressed women during pregnancy.
In the case of a herniated disk during pregnancy, delivery with the obstetrician should be discussed, as there is no absolute indication or contraindication for a C-section or normal delivery. Normally, when a woman is not in crisis during the last month of pregnancy, it is possible to have a normal birth, but even if she has a seizure in recent weeks or if she begins a seizure during childbirth, epidural anesthesia can eliminate it completely. pain.
Good tips for women who have a herniated disk to prevent a pregnancy attack include:
Another important precaution is to avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy, as this further aggravates the lordosis of the spine, contributing to worsening symptoms. Therefore, the pregnant woman should not increase more than 10 kg throughout pregnancy.
See also in the video below what to do to prevent and relieve back pain during pregnancy: