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Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

My hips and pelvis are getting so sore…how can I find relief?

Re: My hips and pelvis are getting so sore…how can I find relief?

The Bump Expert

Aches and pains are (hate to say it) a part of every pregnancy, and they can certainly get worse as it wears on. Baby is growing like a weed (watermelon?) now, and taking up just about every bit of available room in your abdomen. That giant uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, which affects posture and puts a strain on your back. The hormonal changes of pregnancy can make things even worse. See, those hormones are prepping for baby’s big exit, working to loosen up the joints and ligaments that attach the pelvic bones to the spine. This can make you feel unstable and cause a good deal of discomfort. Pain is never fun, but hey -- at least that means baby will be here soon! And once you're trying to push baby out, you'll be glad for every last bit of loosening up.

Paula Kashtan | May 15 , 2009 3:25 PM

re: Q: Sore Hips and Pelvis?

That's it? That's the big answer: It's normal and you'll be glad for it later? Not one suggestion as to how to find relief? Women have been getting pregnant for eons and we can't come up with any way to make them feel a little more comfortable? I call baloney. I demand a refund. I want to speak with the manager.Dangit.Frustrated and Achy

SeattleMermaid | October 11 , 2007 8:35 PM

re: Q: Sore Hips and Pelvis?

maybe some gentle streatching? what would the experts recomend as good easy streatches to help the sore pelvis?

Kristine Schilling | November 14 , 2007 5:38 PM

re: Q: Sore Hips and Pelvis?

I really only get the aches and pains in my hips at night. Which makes for a restless night considering I sleep on my side. But I find that if I take a warm shower before bed it relaxes me and I don't ache as much. Also, my Dr. said that taking a Tylenol would help too.

Lucky7s | December 02 , 2007 4:38 PM

re: Q: Sore Hips and Pelvis?

I recommend pre-natal yoga after dinner. Its light and you can do as much or as little as you like. Its possible that the position your sitting in during the day is making your sacrum (the bone the forms the connection between your low back and hip girdle) unstable. You may also have very tight muscles from sitting during the day, so a walk in the evening is a great idea. Even if you weren't a big exerciser before, your body is going to crave certain changes in position, and just shifting from one hip to other or switching chairs is not enough. Walking will get the circulation going to muscles around your hips (not just to fetus), and actually help to ease tension.For the yoga, head a local bookstore and see what they have on the shelves that pops out at you! Maybe you're someone who needs a dvd to follow?? They have those too, especially for soon to be mom's!Good luck, and happy stretching!Your prego P.T.

mrsmacy | December 10 , 2007 6:58 AM

re: Q: Sore Hips and Pelvis?

My doctor recomended a couple of great ideas for me. My baby is on a bundle of nerves & ligaments, so it hurts to do certain movements. Anyway, hot baths (or heating pad) is #1. She aslo recomends Pregnancy massages. Something about de-stressing and the massage works out muscles we can't work ut orselves. Obviously this one would be pricey for most of us. My alternative is going to to department stores and sitting in the massage chairs (w/heat if I can find it!). It's free, so the price is right. I also found that lavendar works great. I have an eye mask w/ real lavendar that goes in the freezer. I use it over my eyes to sleep/bathe or against my forehead when I feel bad. Sounds silly, but it really works for me. I even spray my pillows and clthes w/lavendar on bad days. There's no medicinal study to back any of this stuff up, but I could hardly walk at the beggining of the month. Now my pain is limited to very specific movements and not nearly as serious.

Lauralibby88 | December 31 , 2007 3:24 AM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

Get in a pool and float on a noodle! I have been doing it all summer, what a godsend!

smjaczko | July 15 , 2008 11:31 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

i had severe pack/pelvic pain starting at 14 weeks. at 18 weeks it was so bad, i couldn't even stand or walk. My OB referred me to a chiropractor and he has been a saving grace! I go 2 times a week and haven't had any problems since.

wknetzer | August 17 , 2008 12:15 AM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

My hips bones have been shifting and hurt very much. My husband even says he can see how the bones have separated on my lower back and measures for me with his fingers where he knows they used to be and where they are now, and it's like 2 inches and I'm only 13 weeks. Because it is the bones that hurt, massage does not help and is the last thing I want right now. Lying flat on my back with my knees bent helps a little, but I know I won't be able to do this in a couple weeks. Prenatal yoga just encourages the bones and hips to shift and open even more. But I am glad that my hips are making room because I am very petite and was afraid I wouldn't be able to get this baby out - so now I look at it as No Pain - No Gain! But I will continue to whine to dear hubby for sympathy.

B&GKelly2007 | October 09 , 2008 1:11 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

All I can say is that it's spelled BOLOGNA.Haven't you heard the song.DH's massages always fix the aches and pains.

mrs.Lucky531 | October 11 , 2008 1:01 AM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

My hips hurt badly at night, when I'm sleeping on my side. But I've started using a body pillow, just putting it between my knees, and that has helped alleviate the pain a lot.

arkabee | November 18 , 2008 3:54 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

I have found that after a day of constant movement at work, a warm bath at the end of the day is necessary for me to fall asleep at night. I am thankful that I am separating a ton, though. My poor sister didn't separate at all with either of hers, and as a result had very difficult labors.

dweisbrod | January 08 , 2009 8:05 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

I agree with the earlier comment about the chiropractor, mine has helped me a ton, and a lot of the hip pain is usually Maliya's (my baby in there :) ) weight is shifting my sacrum off. I go in there, barely walking upright, leave with hardly any remnants of the pain, ice or warm packs also help tons. If anyone hasn't tried the chiropractor thing, I definitely recomend it, just make sure they know your pregnant if it isn't obvious yet, so they can do their adjustments accordingly! There are also some tecniques they can do to encourage correct positioning of the baby for birth, Maliya's in the correct position now and hopefully ready for delivery on Sunday! (or ealier :) )

Mocha Madness | February 09 , 2009 1:47 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

I bought the Snoogle body pillow, which works to make your whole body parallel to how it should sleep at night. Walking also helps.

tinosbaby | February 17 , 2009 4:23 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

I was doing fine with this until my last road trip for work in week 36, and since then... I sleep on my side, and the pain in my hips gets to be so bad I can't sleep more than an hour at a stretch before I have to turn (the intervals get shorter as the night goes along.) I take a walk after dinner and a warm bath before bed most nights, along with a Tylenol an hour before bedtime, but nothing - not pillows, not adjusting the firmness of our bed, not stretching - seems to help. A heating pad eases things in the morning, when I decide I've had enough tossing and turning and retreat to the sofa.Just 2 weeks left, though! I think I can make it until then.

formossissima | March 09 , 2009 8:07 AM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

I've been doing prenatal yoga and i think it will help with all of this. It's catered towards pregnancy and a lot of the things you do are supposed to continue to help your body get ready for birth. Even though i am only 14 weeks, I know it's helping. I'm lucky enough that my hospital offers it free once a week. We work on stretch our hips too. I think that would be a way better answer to the question! So other mommies-to-be may want to give it a try!

laurashu | March 31 , 2009 10:36 AM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

See a Chiropractor. This is my advice to all of you. After all, I am a Chiropractor!I am so thankful for all my friends that are Chiros. We have been able to help each other out during our pregnancies.

heather0413 | April 21 , 2009 7:33 PM

re: Q: Sore hips and pelvis?

I bought the Snoogle pillow and it has been a lifesaver. All of my aches and pains were gone within a week.

ameier3624@yahoo.com | July 08 , 2009 5:25 PM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

I hate to be the "dirty one" here, but what about the thing that got us all in this condition in the first place! Sex! Afterwards, I feel really loose and relaxed. Also, it takes care of that pesky libido, which is finally back after 5 months! lol!

sprusso | July 28 , 2009 3:29 PM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

I sit on my yoga ball. point my knees out as far as i can and just rock back and forth....the more you strech the better it is.

kitty33 | February 22 , 2010 1:21 PM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

I agree with the first response, the article itself was kind of pointless, with exception of the fact that it encouraged some discussion. I sit on the exercise ball and rock back and forth and side to side... Its good practice for labor too! Hot showers help as well.

mamafoxX2 | May 10 , 2010 12:07 PM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

Well this is my 4th baby and he is a booger. I have tried yoga, massage, warm baths/heating pads, chiropractors and still have days where it breaks me down to tears. Never had it to this severity before. If any of you have a REAL suggestions beyond what is above I would love to try it. I am currentl 31 weeks and am only going to getting bigger so please help me make it through to the end.

lawgic10 | June 17 , 2010 10:50 AM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

The good Lord blessed me with child bearing hips from the start - but ! Those wide hips of mine do NOT allow for comfortable side-sleeping as recommended. I have to shove pillows under my belly and side to adjust for the extra weight sagging my waist down at night. This straightens my spine, but then---you have to stay in that position or wake up, readjust, and try to fall asleep again. I'd rather plop on the couch where my hips can sink in between the cushions and I can sleep on either side without readjusting. The sad thing is, my husband can't find a way to fit there with me. It's a trade-off I guess, but the pain relief is there by morning and I actually get some sleep. I just miss my snuggle buddy though! 13 days left - however - so I can pull this off! Yes!

cjderiese | September 14 , 2010 9:04 AM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

im not that far along (14 weeks) but a heating pad works wonders on my already aching back. wish this had a little better answer as well!

oconnor1207 | February 02 , 2011 6:48 PM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

i feel like they are just saying get over it. it's happening whether you like it or not. no suggestions for relief whatsoever. thanks a lot!

amanda will2011 | May 27 , 2011 5:16 AM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

I am 24 weeks and I feel like if I could just disconnect my left leg from my hip, everything would be better. This is my second pregnancy and I've never experienced pain like this before. I don't even have to do anything around the house or with my sons and I am miserable, like I can't even put one foot in front of the other. Going to bed at night barely happens. I basically have to sit down and have my boyfriend lift my legs onto the bed, help me get comfortable, and tuck me into a bed full of pillows, which of course I struggle to get back out of. And there's nothing I can do? Wonderful...

castevens89 | September 19 , 2011 5:28 PM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

Many of us suppose so far that this economical to your $$ are generally clothing coming from Older Fast. What kinds to help you slip on depends plenty around the conditions. Each of our DS was first at the same time quite short pertaining to sleepers as well as pants, and so she just used onesies and all of us covered their thighs and leg in a blanket (until he or she kicked the software out of). Make sure you remember less difficult, most noobs will want caps. Nevertheless - DS is without a doubt a few months -- we all don't truly "dress" her right up. It truly is basically onesies and also pants and additionally sleepers during the night. warcraft 3 cheats

jerryms | January 22 , 2012 5:45 AM

Q&A: Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

Dear Bump expert: Just because you are pregnant does not mean you have to be in pain. There are many things that you can do to help decrease pain during pregnancy. Seeing a chiropractor is a great choice, I happen to be a chiropractor as well, and I specialize in treating pregnant women. Having a balanced pelvis not only aids in less painful pregnancy but can also help the baby get into the optimum position for delivery, which can translate to an intervention free, shorter and easier labor and delivery (and who wouldn’t want that). A lot of my patients also find relief from prenatal massage, yoga and acupuncture. Pregnant women of America.. you do not need to be miserable for 9 months! There are so many great professionals that can help!

califangel12 | May 16 , 2012 12:49 PM

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