This image by Elizabeth Nixon Shapiro illustrates sciatica during pregnancy. Sciatica is sharp, shooting pain that involves tingling or numbness that usually begins in the lower back and travels all the way down the back of the legs, and can happen when the sciatic nerve gets compressed by arthritis or ruptured discs.

View more of Elizabeth’s work through her Medical Illustration Sourcebook portfolio, and at nixonmedicalmedia.com.