Physical Therapy

I went to my first physical therapy session this week to try to relieve the pain on my sciatic nerve. Boy was that interesting, I learned a lot, and by just following my list of restrictions (which are extensive) my back doesn't hurt nearly as much. So here is what I learned -

Why it happens: Apparently the hormones that are released when you are pregnant cause your ligaments to go all "loosy-goosy". That’s why pregnant woman have a lot of restrictions, because they are more susceptible to injury. Anyway, the ligaments that help hold your hips in place get loose too and they slip a bit, exposing the sciatic nerve. Oh yeah, and this loose ligament syndrome lasts the entire pregnancy, throughout breastfeeding, and won't clear up until 3 months AFTER that.

Point of my physical therapy: To strengthen the muscles around my hips to help hold them in place. Exercise before getting pregnant would not have prevented this, some woman are just more susceptible.

Things I am restricted from: Crossing my legs OR my ankles (which I do constantly and unconsciously). This puts more weight on 1 hip. When standing from a seated position, put my knees together, place my hand on them, and push myself up (this includes getting in/out of car). On couch, do NOT put legs underneath me. Only 2 sitting positions allowed on couch; traditional seated, or with my legs straight in front of me. I can lay on the couch w/ pillows between my legs. No "attitude" standing, or putting weight on one side or the other, must distribute weight evenly between both feet. Sleeping - I'm allowed 3 positions; either side w/ pillows between my legs, or on the left side, with a pillow behind my back, I can rotate back onto the pillow (this cannot be done on the right side).

Actually following the restrictions isn't as difficult as I thought, and the results have been immediate. The hardest part is sitting on the couch in a seated position. I have to continue physical therapy 2 times a week, for the next 3 weeks, then the doctor will re-evaluate me.

As of today, I am 14 weeks and 0 days pregnant. The baby is the size of a lemon, and is literally sitting on my last nerve!