When i neared the end of my pregnancy i got debilitating sciatica nerve pain. what causes that? i am terrified of experiencing that type of pain again

Common in pregnancy: L4/L5 level of the lumbar spine is particularly vulnerable in pregnancy due to mechanical issues such as joint laxity, altered posture, muscle weakness or connective tissue fluid retention. These physiologic changes can irritate and inflame the vertebral facet joints putting pressure on the sciatic nerve which is derived from several spinal nerves, most notably L4 and L5.