Is this my sciatic nerve?

[jackrose]

hee hee! If you could see me now... quizzical expression, visualising knees up and legs folded under...

I am not 100% sure I am following you but it does sound as if that would aggravate your piriformis. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but once you add in the complication of you being pregnant, any little thing can make things worse.

If you have a Chiropractor that you have been seeing, they would definitely be able to help you. If not, ask around for someone people can recommend. Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physios, Myotherapists or some Massage Therapists would all be helpful, the best thing is to find someone experienced with treating pregnant women or someone recommended by someone you trust.

ETA:
sitting for long periods of time is known to aggravate the muscle and pain as is sitting cross legged. The best advice is to sit in a comfortable chair with the best posture you can manage ::. Try to avoid lounge chairs where you sink back into it. It is all about keeping a nice straight back (with good lumbar/thoracic/cervical curve) keeping hips and knees at about 90degrees. Use that old trick of imagining that you have a piece of string going through the top of your head and someone is pulling you up straight by the string. Your hips should roll forward, your sternum (breastbone) should lift forward, your shoulders should roll back and your your head should pivot on your neck to straighten. Straighten up after a big exhale, breathing in as you bring your body into alignment and then breath out again as all of your body relaxes into this new posture. (NB This is a great position to be in to practice your pelvic floor exercises!!) Fit balls can be really good for sitting to help you maintain good posture - but keep in mind they are not perfect.

For the patient who sits for extended periods of time, their primary cause is due to contracture of the piriformis muscle. In this case the piriformis muscle is shortened and does not allow for the smooth movement of the sciatic nerve during leg motion. A one-time direct trauma to the pelvis is very rarely a cause for piriformis syndrome due to the protection afforded the pelvis by the overlying musculature and fat. The causes of myospasm are many. Over use as during excessive fast walking without proper warm up and stretching (as during exercise), prolonged sitting, as for your treatment, many variables can hamper your successful recovery. Smoking, obesity, job and exercise as noted above in prolonged sitting and not warming up and stretching.

Any treatment plan must include stretching of the gluteal muscles as well as stretching of the piriformis muscles. Your Chiropractor can help you by instructing you on the proper exercises and stretches to perform. Many Chiropractors may also prescribe some form of massage be performed to the piriformis muscle in the gluteal region in order to relax these muscles.

Your chiropractor may also prescribe certain herbals remedies such as valerian root and passion flower to help relax the associated muscles during your recovery phase. Spinal adjustment as well as hip adjustment may also be required to relieve your symptoms.