How to deal with butt pain during pregnancy

The article was written by Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Buttock pain during pregnancy can be caused by an abnormality in the buttocks (such as hemorrhoids). It can also be pain that radiates from the lower back down to the buttocks. Buttock pain from pregnancy usually goes away after you give birth. But some women may continue to have hemorrhoids after giving birth.

Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are enlarged, swollen veins in the anus or rectum. Pregnant women are more prone to hemorrhoids because the uterus puts extra pressure on the anus and rectum. If you have to stand for long periods of time because of work or hobbies, the pain may get worse.
Labor pains / Contractions Women experience contractions differently. Some experience pain such as cramps in the abdomen and cramps in the back that can extend to the buttocks. The nature of the pain can also vary. Some people feel a cramping sensation while others may feel pressure, stinging, or shooting pain.
Braxton-Hicks contractions can be uncomfortable, but they're usually not painful. If contractions cause buttock pain, call your doctor.
Pelvic pain The pelvis is a ring of bone that surrounds your body at the base of your spine. Pelvic pain is pain in the front and/or back part of the pelvis that can also affect other areas like the hips or thighs. It can affect the sacroiliac joint in the back and/or the pubic joint in the front. Pelvic pain was once called pubic sympathomimetic dysfunction.
Pelvic pain affects one in five pregnant women. This pain occurs when the extra weight of the baby and pregnancy-related movements in the pelvis begin to accumulate and cause pelvic pain.
Many women also experience this buttock pain. Other symptoms may include grinding or pain in the pelvic area and pain that gets worse with movement. Although pelvic pain is very uncomfortable, it is not harmful to your baby.
Sciatica Sciatica is a condition that occurs when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve that runs from the buttocks down the leg. Pregnancy can cause nerves to become irritated or inflamed. Your enlarged uterus can put extra pressure on the sciatic nerve.
As you enter the third trimester, the change in your baby's position can directly affect the nerves in your buttocks area, which can cause buttock pain.
You may also feel a burning sensation in your back, buttocks, and legs. Some women also report shooting pain extending down the leg.

Whatever the cause, buttock pain can make it difficult to complete everyday activities comfortably. If you experience the following symptoms, call your doctor when:
The pain is so severe that you feel uncomfortable You are losing a significant amount of blood (larger than typical hemorrhoids, which may only cause bleeding) ) You've experienced a rush of vaginal discharge or "breakage" You've lost control of your bladder/intestines Pain that never goes away 2.1 Medical treatment An estimated 14% of women get pregnant taking opioid pain relievers while pregnant. Examples of these prescription drugs include oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Usually, women take them for a week or less. Back pain is the most common reason doctors prescribe these medications.
If your buttock pain doesn't respond to over-the-counter and at-home treatments, your doctor may consider prescribing a pain reliever.
But the fewer medications you can take during pregnancy, the better. This will reduce the chance that the medicine could affect your child's growth and/or development.
2.2 Home treatment If your pain is caused by hemorrhoids, you can try the following home treatments to ease the discomfort:
Soak in a warm bath or bath. A sitz bath is a plastic tub that can fit over your toilet. You can fill up with warm water, sit and soak without having to shower. Try witch hazel. Put a few drops of witch hazel on a tampon that you can wear to reduce inflammation. You can change the witch hazel throughout the day to reduce inflammation. Do not sit or stand for too long. Do not sit or stand for long periods of time, this puts extra pressure on your anus. Lying on your side can relieve pressure. Drink lots of water every day. This can help reduce your risk of becoming constipated, which makes stools harder to pass. Eat fiber. Follow a high-fiber diet with whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables. You can also ask your doctor if there are creams and/or stool softeners that you can take to relieve pain and strain associated with hemorrhoids.

For pain associated with sciatica and/or pelvic pain, you can take the following steps:
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen to relieve discomfort. Take a warm bath and/or shower to soothe tense muscles. Wear a pelvic support belt (also called a lumbar belt) to relieve pressure on your lower back and pelvis. Avoid doing activities that aggravate your pain, like lifting heavy objects, keeping your legs close together as you roll over in bed and/or get out of the car. Place a pillow under your belly and one between your legs while you sleep. This can help promote proper body position. You can also ask your doctor if you can apply cold and/or heat to the painful areas.

Your physical therapist will recommend the right treatment for you. This may include:
Advice on avoiding movements that may worsen pain. You will be given advice on the best positions for movement and rest and how to pace your activities to reduce pain. Exercises help relieve pain and allow you to walk more easily. They should also strengthen your abs and pelvic floor muscles to improve balance and posture and make your spine more stable. Manual therapy (hands-on treatment) of muscles and joints by a physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor who specializes in pelvic pain during pregnancy. They will give you a hands-on treatment that gently moves or moves the joints to get them back into place and get them back to normal. Warm bath, or hot compress or ice Acupuncture Acupuncture Support belt or crutches Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women from the very beginning of their pregnancy. First with a full range of antenatal check-ups, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus develops comprehensively. Pregnant women will be consulted and checked for health under the close supervision of experienced and specialized obstetricians, helping mothers gain more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as minimize complications affecting mother and child.

References:
How do you treat pregnancy hemorrhoids and constipation. (2013, January) kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/q_a/piles.html How to handle sciatica during your pregnancy. (2014, December 17) health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/12/how-to-handle-sciatica-during-your-pregnancy/ More than 14 percent of pregnant women prescribed opioids, study says. (2014, February 12) asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2014/02/opioids-in-pregnancy Pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy. (2015) rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/pi-pelvic-girdle-pain-and-pregnancy.pdf Types of back pain in pregnancy. (2009, December 3) spine-health.com/conditions/pregnancy-and-back-pain/types-back-pain-pregnancy