Everything was going well. I felt OK, all things considered, and was still able to manage a few short runs per week. Then, at 36 weeks, I hit the pregnancy wall…hard.
My last run was Monday, December 2nd. I had no idea it would be my last run. If I did I would have savored it a bit more. I ran 5 miles with my friend Abby and it went well. I felt fine afterwards too. I woke up Tuesday with pain on my right side (lower back/upper glute area). Walking was difficult. It was so sudden and out of the ordinary I panicked and thought all the running had caused a pelvic stress fracture. After some frantic online searching, I calmed down and decided it had to be sciatica, which is very common in late pregnancy (and presents itself on 1 side – my left side is completely normal). A call to my OB confirmed it along with the bad news that nothing can really be done. The baby is pressing on my sciatic nerve and the pain won’t go away until I deliver.
It’s been 2 weeks since the pain started and it sucks, to put it nicely. Bearing weight on my right leg is painful and I have to be cautious that it won’t give out on me. I’m also sporting a nice limp when I walk. Thankfully it also resembles the I’m-so-done-with-this waddle, so I don’t think I get too many strange looks.
I’m 38 weeks today and praying that I go sooner rather than later. I’m dying to meet this little one and I’m dying to get rid of this pain. Or at least swap sciatic pain with labor pain 🙂 At least with labor pain there’s a nice present at the finish line.
looking so not ready to go anytime soon…
I am seeing a chiropractor – a husband and wife team. He specializes in runners and she in pregnancy, so I appear to be in good hands. It has provided some relief although not as much as I was hoping for.
Since I’m stubborn and refuse to do no form of exercise, I grunt through 2-mile walks on the treadmill a few times a week. The fastest I can go is 20:00 min/mile (that’s not a typo) and I waddle and curse the entire time. But at least it’s something.
I’ll conclude this whiny pregnancy post on a positive note. I am happy I was able to run for 9 months. I thoroughly enjoyed it – Garmin-free, taking in the scenery, and not worrying about pace. And I will be back at it again soon.
Anyone else battle sciatica during pregnancy?
I had sciatica during both of my pregnancies. There isn’t anything that makes it better, but it’s still better than the rib injury I got during my last pregnancy. I have no idea how I ran through that all. Stubbornness I guess! 🙂
Can’t wait to “meet” your little one! You’re almost there!!! Just think as the 9 months as “marathon training” and you’re almost at the finish line. 🙂
oh no, i’m so sorry! I had something like that before and it is painful without a baby, can not imagine how it feels with a baby!! hang in there!
I’m sorry you’re in pain, that is a bummer. Hopefully you’ll have her (I still think it’s a girl) soon! Until then, take all of the Schanuzer snuggling naps you can!
Merry Christmas!
Hi Running Twin! Hang in there. The last weeks are tough enough on their own, but with not being able to run or do much exercise – when it’s what you love – they must be even more difficult. I know you want to stay busy and active, but TRUST ME when I say that you really should lounge around and relax and read and go to movies and SLEEP – because none of that will be possible when Little Runner Baby comes. 🙂
I had my first baby ON my due date. S’mores induced labor. 🙂
Ugh…sciatic pain is awful. I suffered from awful sciatica in high school (running injury) and so have had to struggle with flare ups throughout my adult life. I can’t remember when I started getting sciatica with this pregnancy, but it was a major part of why I first drastically cut back and then quit running. I also didn’t know my last run (at 35.5 weeks) would be my last and it was only a mile, so it felt a little anti-climactic. However…you ran so well really far into pregnancy and should be proud of that! I’m sure it’s not only kept you healthy but has helped you grow a healthy little baby as well!
Since I haven’t run for a month now, I can say that my sciatica has gotten a lot better. Also the foam roller and a tennis ball became my best friends for awhile, and I really focused on activities that loosened my lower body (like yoga). Only things that gave me relief.
Hang in there! This part of pregnancy feels like it’s lasting forever, but at least the end is in sight!
PS New site looks great! Congrats!
Sorry to hear about the pain but kudos to you for running so long into pregnancy! Good luck with the last few weeks (or days)!
Sorry to hear about the pain :(. I’ll cross my fingers that you go early! Can’t wait to see pics of your little one!
Aw, man! I can’t even imagine what that kind of pain feels like, and the fact that you can’t fix it until baby comes. Sorry, lady! At least, like you said, you were able to run for 9 months! I think that’s pretty great. I bet the excitement of the little one coming helps the disappointment of not being able to run anymore, though, right? 🙂 Also you look great!
I have never experienced this before but hopefully the time will fly by so that you will not have to be in pain for too long. You have done great with your running and I am sure that you will be back to your normal running pattern in no time at all!
Kristy! So sorry you are having this pain! But I am thrilled that you were able to run almost all of your pregnancy. SOOOOOOO excited for you guys. Can’t wait! Have a wonderful Christmas and a great new year! I am hoping for baby RTLR before January 1st!
Rock oN!
Ouch…literally! I’ve had two small bouts with sciatic pain, not the whole deal, but enough to know it’s a pain in the a**! And mine weren’t even pregnancy related….I can’t imagine how much worse that makes it. I hope it goes away after you give birth and hopefully that will be sooner than later! Good luck getting through this last little bit!
I’m so sorry about the pregnancy wall–I never had outright sciatica, but I did have general back pain that consigned me to the couch at the very end (I need to sleep leaning against something!). It will all be better soon–you’re right about the present at the end.
First of all, you look phenomenal! Seriously. Those fitness and pregnancy magazines should be calling you.
With my first pregnancy, I did something during a run at 33w. I ran 4 miles fine, stopped, and then suddenly couldn’t walk — and I really didn’t walk w/o crutches during the last month of my pregnancy. It wasn’t in the right spot for sciatic pain, but it sucked so bad. Even though my son was early — 37 w exactly — I literally cried every day for the last 2 weeks of the pregnancy because I was in so much pain and felt trapped in my own body. Immediately after birth the pain was gone though. I’m hoping the same is true for you. I really, really feel for you!
It’s been awfully quiet over there… hope baby is on his/her way 🙂