Hip and Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you may feel some aches or pains in your hip or pelvic region, and sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact problem. Here, we describe some of the causes and common symptoms of hip and pelvic pain, and offer some tips on how you can relieve or prevent the pain.

What Can Hip and Pelvic Pain Feel Like During Pregnancy?

It might help to know where the pelvis and hips are located in relation to one other: The pelvis, which is a large bone structure at the base of your spine, sits at the lower part of your torso. The hips are the joints on either side of the pelvis that connect each thigh to the pelvis.

If you feel pain in the pelvic or hip area, it can sometimes be tricky to pinpoint exactly where and what is sore. Pain in the pelvis or hip may even feel like back pain, particularly if it's radiating, and many women have back pain at some point during pregnancy. Plus, women experience pain in different ways: Some feel sharp, sudden discomfort, while others get a dull, constant ache. For you, it may even be a bit of each at different times throughout your pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

Pelvic pain during pregnancy is not uncommon. It can be dull or sharp, constant or infrequent, mild or severe. You might even feel it radiate to your lower back, buttocks, or thighs. You might experience pelvic pain only during certain movements, for example if it hurts to walk. Or you might feel it in certain positions, for example when you lie down to sleep.

Make sure to tell your doctor about any pain that disrupts your daily life, that gets worse over time, or that feels severe; let your doctor know if you also feel light-headed, or if you have vaginal bleeding or a fever as well as pain.

Causes of Hip Pain

If you experience hip pain in early pregnancy or later in the first trimester, it may not be the result of pregnancy, but may be related to another condition. Your healthcare provider will be able to help pinpoint the cause.

Hip pain during the second or third trimester may be caused by sciatica. This condition occurs when the growing uterus presses against the sciatic nerve. The pain can shoot down your lower back, hip, and back of the leg. The good news is this kind of pain will often resolve itself once your baby is born.

Causes of Pelvic Pain

Experiencing pelvic pain in early pregnancy is usually not a cause for concern. It can occur as your bones and ligaments shift to accommodate your growing baby.

In early pregnancy or even later during the first trimester, pelvic pain can be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus — usually in the fallopian tube. Other ectopic pregnancy symptoms include feeling a sharp pain in your shoulder, having vaginal bleeding or spotting, or feeling faint, dizzy, or weak. Ectopic pregnancies require medical treatment, so if you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.

Pelvic pain during the third trimester can be triggered by the extra weight you are now carrying, as well as pregnancy hormones. The joints that connect the two halves of your pelvis are usually quite stiff and hard. Later in pregnancy, the hormone relaxin causes the muscles, joints, and ligaments in your pelvic region to loosen to make it easier for your baby to pass through the birth canal. This loosening, however, can lead to discomfort in the pelvic region if the ligaments and joints become too mobile.

Another change that happens later in pregnancy is that your baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth. As a result, you will feel more pressure in your pelvis, hips, and bladder. The plus side? It’s a sign your baby is getting ready to be born, and you may be able to breathe a little easier as the pressure is taken off your lungs. If your pregnancy is not yet full term, pressure in your pelvic region or lower abdomen could be a sign of preterm labor, so contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice this. Preterm labor may be accompanied by other symptoms such as a dull lower backache, bloody vaginal discharge, or regular contractions.

Pelvic pain can sometimes be a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you also have a fever or a burning sensation while you pee, contact your healthcare provider for advice and treatment.

How to Prevent or Relieve Pelvic or Hip Pain During Pregnancy

It's best to ask your healthcare provider, who may advise you to

• avoid standing for long periods of time

• avoid lifting heavy objects

• get regular exercise but without overexerting yourself. Download our free guide to exercising while pregnant (always check in first with your provider before starting a new exercise regimen)

• take a warm bath

• practice good posture

• sleep with a pillow between your knees

• use a heat pack on the sore areas

• do Kegel exercises

• use a maternity support belt.

Your healthcare provider may recommend pain relief drugs, physical therapy, or specific exercises to help reduce hip or pelvic pain.

Hip or pelvic pain may be one of the annoying aches you experience during pregnancy, but sometimes, just knowing that this can be a natural part of pregnancy helps.