Hip Pain
Hip pain is a common pregnancy complaint, affecting many women from the second trimester onward. It is primarily caused by the hormone relaxin loosening hip and pelvic joints in preparation for childbirth.
Common Causes
- Relaxin hormone loosens ligaments throughout the pelvis and hip joints
- Shifted center of gravity changes how weight is distributed through the hips
- Growing uterus strains hip flexors and surrounding muscles
- Sleeping on one side for prolonged periods puts pressure on the hip joint
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction — common in pregnancy
- Piriformis syndrome — the piriformis muscle pressing on the sciatic nerve
Remedies That May Help
Pillow Between Knees
Sleeping with a pillow between your knees aligns your hips and significantly reduces hip joint pain overnight.
Prenatal Yoga
Hip-opening poses (modified pigeon, cat-cow, child's pose) relieve hip muscle tension.
Swimming
Buoyancy removes weight from the hip joints, providing significant relief.
Pelvic Support Belt
A maternity belt stabilizes the SI joint and reduces hip joint strain.
Physiotherapy
A pelvic physiotherapist can treat SI joint and piriformis dysfunction with manual therapy and targeted exercises.
Warm Compress or Warm Bath
Heat relaxes hip muscles and surrounding soft tissue.
When to Call Your Doctor
- Hip pain that makes walking very difficult or impossible
- Pain in both hips with a clicking or grinding sensation in the pubic symphysis
- Hip pain accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg
- Pain after a fall or trauma
- Fever with joint pain — possible infection
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does hip pain get worse at night during pregnancy?
Sleeping on one side places sustained pressure on the hip joint. As pregnancy progresses, the weight on the hip increases and the hip ligaments are more lax, making the joint more sensitive.
What is the best sleeping position for hip pain in pregnancy?
Sleeping on your side with a full-length pregnancy pillow or a regular pillow between your knees is the most effective position for relieving hip pain.
Is hip pain a sign of SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction)?
SPD causes pain specifically at the pubic bone in the front of the pelvis, often with a clicking sensation. Hip pain can accompany SPD but is usually felt at the side and back of the hip.
Will hip pain in pregnancy cause long-term damage?
In most cases, pregnancy-related hip pain resolves within weeks to months after delivery. In rare cases of significant joint instability, postpartum physiotherapy is helpful.
Can I exercise with hip pain during pregnancy?
Low-impact activities like swimming, walking (if comfortable), and prenatal yoga are generally safe. Avoid high-impact exercises and activities that require single-leg weight bearing.