When Should You Call Your Doctor
If your hip pain is accompanied by pressure or soreness in the pelvic area that radiates towards the thighs before the 37th week of pregnancy, it is important to seek out your health care provider. This can be a sign of preterm labor.Along with pelvic pressure, other indications of preterm labor are:
- Abdominal cramping and discomfort, particularly in the lower abdomen
- Lower backache that extends to the front and sides of your body, without relief, when you change positions
- Unexpected contractions that occur approximately every ten minutes
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Compiled using information from the following sources:
1. Katz, Vern L. . Prenatal Care in Scott, James R., Gibbs, Ronald S., Karlan, Beth Y., & Haney, Arthur F. , Danforths Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9th edition . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. The Third Trimester: 28 to 40 weeks and beyond in Johnson, Robert V. , Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Babys First Year . New York, NY: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
3. Common concerns and questions of pregnancy in Harms, Roger W. , Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy . New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
What Is Good For Hip Pain During Pregnancy
If your hip pain is particularly severe or is interfering with your daily life, its important to consult your doctor. In this way, important causes can be ruled out and the right treatment and relaxation method for you can be found. For hip pain caused by minor causes, there are measures you can take on your own.
Things that are good for hip pain during pregnancy include:
When Should You See A Doctor About Hip Pain
If youre experiencing hip pain, its best to check with your doctor to rule out any other potential causes. They will be able to confirm whether or not the pain is related to pregnancy and offer treatment options.
If the pain is sharp, is continuous or unbearable I would call your provider right away or go into an Urgent Care to be checked out. It could be a real problem.
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When To See A Doctor
Hip pain during pregnancy is normal, and women do not need to talk to their doctor unless the pain has become so severe that it interferes with their daily routine.
It is best to talk to a doctor if the pain is recurring or constant. Preterm labor may cause additional pain in the hips, or it might lead to lower back pain.
It is also a good idea for a woman to talk to her doctor if she experiences any sharp pain during pregnancy.
There are several potential ways to treat hip pain during pregnancy. These include medical treatment options, at-home remedies, and stretches that help relieve hip pain.
In some cases, a combination of treatments may help relieve hip pain during pregnancy.
Causes Of Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic girdle pain can be caused by a combination of factors.
- Pregnancy hormones make your ligaments looser. This can lead to increased or uneven movements in the pelvis and the extra movement can cause pain.
- As your baby grows, this can change your posture and put strain on the pelvis and lower back.
- Your pelvic girdle joints can become misaligned. This happens because of changing muscle activity and increased movement. It can cause pain and discomfort.
- Having a history of back pain.
- The position of the baby.
Page last reviewed: 24 June 2019 Next review due: 24 May 2020
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Should You Shave Before Giving Birth
Shaving: This is the most preferred method adopted by doctors and midwives before preparing a woman for delivery. If you still have full hair growth over your privates before delivery, your doctor is likely to recommend it. If you plan to shave at home, do it 48 hours prior to going to the hospital.
What The Doctor Does
To determine whether emergency surgery is needed, doctors first check blood pressure and temperature and ask about key symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding. Doctors then ask about other symptoms and the medical history. They also do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause and the tests that may need to be done .
The physical examination focuses on the pelvic examination Pelvic Examination For gynecologic care, a woman should choose a health care practitioner with whom she can comfortably discuss sensitive topics, such as sex, birth control, pregnancy, and problems related to… read more . Doctors gently press on the abdomen to see whether pressing causes any pain.
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Hip Pain In Pregnancy: Causes And How To Treat It
Dr. Benjamin Domb, Orthopedic Surgeon, Greater Chicago, ILMy BlogPosted on:
Pregnancy is a wonderful and life-changing experience for many, but it also comes with plenty of potential health complicationshypertension, anemia, infections and more. Hip pain is another common issue that occurs during or after pregnancy. Young women are most affected by hip pain during pregnancy or after delivery of their baby or babies.
There are several reasons why some may experience hip pain in pregnancy or hip pain after pregnancy, but luckily there are ways to ease the discomfort that comes with this pain.
What Is Lateral Hip Pain
Lateral hip pain refers to pain on the side of your hip.
It is often referred to in the Physio world as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome .
It can involve the gluteal tendons and the bursae .
Sometimes it can be as a result of inflammation in the bursa, and other times it can be related to changes in the tendon.
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Will The Pain Go Away After Delivery
For most women, the pain will go away after delivery.
Once the placenta is delivered your hormone levels will start their journey back to normal. However, some women may experience chronic hip pain after pregnancy. If youre still experiencing pain after delivery, its best to check with your doctor to rule out any other potential causes.
Hip and pelvic pain during pregnancy is fairly common. While the exact cause is unknown, there are a few things you can do to help relieve the pain. If youre experiencing hip pain, be sure to check with your doctor to rule out any other potential causes.
Hip Pain During Pregnancy Result
During pregnancy, it is normal to experience repeated hip pain or even back pain. However, its crucial that you report persistent hip or back pain throughout your pregnancy to your doctor since this can be a symptom of several pregnancy-related conditions. Hip pain can occur for the following reasons: 1) You are experiencing hormonal changes which may be causing your ligaments to loosen up 2) Your pelvic girdle is loosening up and therefore you experience both hip and lower back pain 3) You are expecting twins, therefore there is increased pelvic pressure during pregnancy 4) You are carrying a larger than normal baby. In addition, if youre experiencing unsteadiness while walking due to hip or back pain, it is imperative that you see your physician. Hip and back pain can lead to serious complications that affect both the mother and the unborn baby. Be sure to contact your physician immediately should you experience sudden onset hip or back pain while carrying a child in utero.
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How Is Pelvic Pain In Pregnancy Treated
There are many treatments available. While you may not get complete relief from pelvic pain during your pregnancy, you can take steps to prevent it from getting worse. Many women use more than one of these techniques to maximize their relief.
Pregnancy girdles, bands, and belts. These work by applying gentle pressure to the pelvis to give you more stability. They can be effective when combined with gentle exercise.
Sleep positioning. Pregnancy pillows that support your belly and hips can ease the strain on your pelvic ligaments and allow you to get a good night’s sleep. You may need to experiment to find one that’s right for you. Women’s hips are wider than their knees, especially in pregnancy. Sleep with a pillow between your knees to keep your hips in a neutral position and avoid extra stress on your hips and lower back. Read more about how to be comfortable in bed during pregnancy.
Physical therapy. Studies show that certain exercises especially in water can be helpful in reducing pelvic pain. Ask your doctor or midwife for a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in pregnancy. You’ll learn stretches to relieve your pain and exercises to strengthen your core, pelvic floor, and back to provide your pelvis with more stability. A physical therapist can also teach you how to avoid pain when getting out of bed and doing daily tasks.
Third Trimester Pains And How To Deal With Them

May 31, 2016
Congratulations! Youve made it through the early pregnancy morning sickness and fatigue. Now its the third trimester and youre so close to meeting baby. Unfortunately, there may be a few uncomfortable symptoms still in store for you.
Swelling ankles, trouble sleeping, back pain, having to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes these are all possibilities as you move into the pregnancy homestretch.
Patients often ask me how to make the third trimester a little more comfortable. This topic has been on my mind more in the last few months as my sister, Toral Patel, who is a neurosurgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center, entered her third trimester and began dealing with some of these discomforts.
Lets take a look at eight common symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy: What causes them, how to help relieve them, and when you should call your doctor.
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Will Pgp Reduce After My Baby Is Born
For most women, their PGP reduces immediately following delivery, as the weight of the baby is no longer affecting the pelvic joints. However, it is still important to follow the advice given for pregnancy, as the ligaments take at least four-five months to return to their pre-pregnancy condition.
- Gradually increase your walking distance and activity levels
- Start doing your pelvic floor exercises again as soon as you feel comfortable after the birth
- If your PGP is not settling within 4 weeks of the birth, ask to be referred to a womens health physiotherapist.
For more information visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pelvic-pain-pregnant-spd
Will I Still Have Pelvic Pain After My Baby Is Born
Most women feel complete relief within about 3 months of giving birth. A small number have residual pain, which may need further treatment, such as pain-relievers or immobilization devices like belts or girdles. Many women benefit from physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and lower back and rebuild strength and coordination in the pelvic floor.
In very rare cases in which the pubic symphysis has separated, surgery may be needed to stabilize the pelvis.
Learn more about pelvic organ prolapse.
BabyCenter’s editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
Bernas. 2017. Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: musculoskeletal changes and pain. UpToDate
Bertuit J, Van Lint CE, Rooze M, et al. 2017. Pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain: analysis of pelvic belt on pain. J Clin Nurs 27:e129-e137
Casagrande D et al. 2015. Low back pain and pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 23:539-549.
Park J et al. 2014. The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: A systematic review. Acupuncture in Medicine 32:257-266.
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How Can I Prevent Pregnancy Hip Pain
Although it is often difficult to completely eliminate pregnancy hip pain, there are things you can do to significantly reduce aches and pains:
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Do Pilates, low-impact aerobics, and pregnancy-friendly yoga exercises. You could try searching for a yoga and Pilates class near your location that caters to pregnant women.
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Adjust your sleeping position using a special pregnancy pillow designed to support your hips and back during sleep.
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Try your best to avoid gaining extra weight. The U.S. CDC offers guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy.
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Practicing good posture is beneficial to your health during pregnancy, especially when sitting down. Hunching over and slouching puts more stress on your spine, hips, and lower back.
Increasing in popularity among pregnant women over the past decade are devices called pregnancy support belts or belly bands. A pregnancy support belt provides postural support by gently raising the abdomen to ease pressure and reduce pelvic floor, hip, sciatica, and lower back pain. These belly bands also redistribute weight more evenly to partially restore a pregnant womans center of gravity. Made of soft, flexible materials that adapt to an ever-changing pregnant body, support belts wrap around the abdomen and lower back and are secured by Velcro fasteners.
How Can I Alleviate Round Ligament Pain
Pay attention to when you are feeling round ligament pain the most, Giglio advises. Is it when you get up from sitting? When exercising? When sneezing? Figuring out when you tend to get the painbecoming aware of the patternscan help keep it from happening too often. Here is some concrete advice to avoid this specific type of hip pain during pregnancy:
- Stand up slowly. Wait for the muscles and ligaments to settle into a standing position before moving or walking.
- Sit down or flex the hips just before sneezing or coughing.
- Use warm compresses and take warm baths.
- Prioritize strength and flexibility. Keeping your core strong and both legs strong and flexible can help to ease the pain.
- Tylenol might help, but always consult your doctor before taking any medication.
Heres the thing with round ligament pain, though: As long as the baby keeps growing, those sharp pains are likely to come and go as the stretching of the uterus, surrounding muscles, tendons, and the round ligament continue to stretch. If this pain becomes severe and does not let up, always get it checked for those rare cases of appendicitis or preterm labor.
Image Credit: Unsplash
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Causes Of Hip Pain During Pregnancy
Hip pain during pregnancy is not a normal symptom and it can be an indication of problems in pregnancy. The causes of hip pain during pregnancy can include the following:
- Due to the changes in your weight and body shape, your center of gravity may change and you might feel as if you are off-balance. This can cause hip pain when you are walking or even during sleep.
- Due to hormonal changes, your joints may experience some swelling. Your hips may be affected and this may cause hip pain when you are walking or sleeping.
- During pregnancy, structural changes take place in your pelvis, which means that your pelvic muscles become weaker than before because of their overuse. This can lead to back pain during pregnancy and also hip pain when you are sleeping.
- Hip pain during pregnancy can also be caused by sciatica and this is a nerve problem that is connected with irritation of the sciatica nerve, which runs from the lower back region down into the leg area.
- When carrying a baby, people usually develop extra fat around their waistline which can lead to poor posture or slouching. This increases the pressure on your hips, but also on your back causing back pain during pregnancy.
How To Prevent Hip Pain During Pregnancy
The following may help prevent hip pain in some pregnant women, but not everyone:
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What Is Hip Pain During Pregnancy And What Are The Causes
Hip pain during pregnancy is a common symptom that you may experience. This discomfort is most often felt late in pregnancy, during the third trimester. This occurs because your body is preparing itself for labor. The extra weight of your growing baby and the loosening of your joints due to the pregnancy hormones can lead to pain and instability in your hips.
It is very normal to experience weight gain during your pregnancy. But, as you do it puts more pressure on your hip joints. Maintaining a healthy weight for your condition can help .
Hip pain can mean a lot of things. There are a few different ones that pregnant women experience:
Pain on the outside of your hips. This often happens due to the changes in your pelvis . It can also extend what might normally just be back pain down into your hips. Stretching can help this type of tight hips pain.
Nerve Pain. Many women experience sciatic nerve pain during their pregnancy. The sciatic nerve runs down the back of the leg. The loosening of your ligaments and connective tissue and your changing center of gravity can pinch this nerve through your sacroiliac joints .. Things like heat, stretching can sometimes help sciatic pain as well. This often starts in the second trimester when your baby bump shifts things for you.
Upper inner Thigh Pain This may also feel like hip pain as it radiates down from your pelvis. I have a whole article on upper inner thigh pain in pregnancy.