leg pain and "giving way"?

[Anonymous]

I am 33 weeks with a normal pregnancy thus far. I am beginning to get twinges of pain or momentary numbness where one of my legs joins my hip socket. When it happens, it feels like the leg is going to give way. That hasn't happened yet but I am concerned it will and cause me to fall.

Any idea what this is? It seems to happen when walking, not standing still.

[Anonymous]

Could be sciatic nerve pain from the baby pressing on your sciatic nerve. I think it's most common to feel it in your right hip or leg. It's very common so I'm sure you can lots of info if you google it. I've had it since about 37 weeks-- sharp, "nerve" pain that can literally stop me in my tracks. Sometimes feels like my leg is going to cramp up. Usually happens when I'm walking.

[Anonymous]

I was wondering about sciatica. Reading about it online, that doesn't sound like it but maybe I just have an weird response to it?

The pain pretty much starts and ends just where the leg and hip meet, and I feel it in the front of my body, not the back or butt region.

[Anonymous]

It could be the way that your hip joint or pelvis is responding to relaxin as you get closer to birth. I've only heard of sciatica in the butt or down the backs of the legs. The pain sounds similar though and fwiw, my leg never actually "gave way", it was just really uncomfortable. I'd ask your OB/midwife about it. Also, be really comfortable around stairs and wear sensible shoes, no slides or flip flops just in case.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have the exact same thing! (I'm about 35 weeks). Right where the leg joins the hip socket and only localized pain in front. Not so sure it is sciatica, but I figure the baby is resting on a nerve or something. I find that if I can bear the pain for a few steps, it kind of goes away temporarily. Let me know if you learn any more about this.

[Anonymous]

It is a sciatica-LIKE pain, but is not actually caused by vertebrae being squished... just the nerve being stimulated by the weight of your uterus, as one PP said.

I have it too now at 34 weeks, especially when trying to walk after sitting for too long. It goes away after walking it off, but of course it means I hobble painfully for a few minutes holding on to things! The solution is to avoid sitting for too long in one position - stand up, stretch your legs, squat, etc periodically. I also sit on a yoga ball, which helped at first a few months ago, but my belly is now so huge even the ball offers limited help - although when I try rolling my pelvis on it during long stints at the computer, it offers relief. A hard chair is the worst!

Change position frequently and do some yoga-like exercices.

[Anonymous]

see a physical therapist who specializes in pregnant women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:see a physical therapist who specializes in pregnant women.

or a chiropractor...

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you everyone. It is good to hear that this is possibly common and that no one has in fact fallen or had a leg give out. This baby has been riding very low for more than a month, which I think accounts for nerve pressure.

[Anonymous]

I had this problem, and doctor said it was due to sciatic nerve. The only reason I never completely fell is because my other leg would support my body. I would look like I was about to trip and it definitely made co-workers nervous.