Hip pain during pregnancy
Hip pain during
pregnancy is a common symptom that you may experience. This discomfort is most
often felt at the end of pregnancy, more precisely in the third trimester. This
is because your body is getting ready to work. Pain and pain is often felt most
strongly on the side where the baby tends to lie in the uterus.
What causes hip pain during pregnancy?
During pregnancy,
your body releases hormones that allow connective tissue to relax and soften.
As a result, the joints and ligaments between the pelvic bones will begin to
weaken. It is essential to increase the flexibility of these bones so that the
baby can move through your body during labor. Lower back pain, as well as
changes in posture and a heavy uterus, can increase the pain you feel.
Other causes of hip
pain include increased pressure on the sciatic nerve. The two sciatic nerves in
your body run from your lower back to your feet. When the enlarged uterus
presses on the nerves, you may experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your
buttocks, thighs, and thighs. This problem is called sciatica. As you get
closer to your due date, your baby changes position in your uterus. This will
likely lessen the discomfort you feel. Sciatica is usually normal during
pregnancy, but you should always tell your doctor if you have it, as there are
other less common but serious causes of sciatica.
Another possible
cause of second trimester hip pain is round ligament pain. Round ligament pain
is characterized by sharp pains in the abdomen, hip, and groin. The pain may
worsen with rapid movements or changes in position. For more information on
round ligament pain, see this article on round ligament pain during pregnancy.
How to relieve hip pain during pregnancy?
Doing exercises that
strengthen both your back and abdominal muscles will likely reduce hip pain.
One exercise that can provide relief is to raise your hips above chest level
while lying on your back for a few minutes. Taking a warm bath or applying warm
compresses to the painful area can relieve pain. In addition, massage can
relieve pain.
As your due date
approaches, be sure to sleep on your side and keep your legs and knees bent.
Using pillows to support your abdomen and upper leg can reduce discomfort while
you sleep. If lying on your side makes your hip pain worse, place a pillow or
blanket over your lower back and sleep propped up on it. This will relieve the
pressure on the thigh you sleep on.
When should you call your doctor?
If hip pain is
accompanied by pressure or pelvic pain that radiates to the hips before the
37th week of pregnancy, it is important to see a doctor. This may be a sign of
preterm labor.
In addition to pelvic
pressure, other signs of preterm labor include:
- Cramping and discomfort in the abdomen, especially in the lower abdomen
- Low back pain that radiates to the front and sides of the body without relief with a change in position
- Unexpected contractions that occur approximately every ten minutes
- Vaginal discharge that is light, pink, or brown.