Hip Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Relief in Colleyville, TX
Gentle care for hip and pelvic pain during pregnancy in Colleyville, TX, from a Webster certified chiropractor, guided by CLA INSiGHT scans, not guesswork.
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The short answer: hip pain in pregnancy usually comes from loosening pelvic joints, extra weight carried at the front and the posture changes that come with it. It is common, and a few signs listed further down this page mean you should call your OB or midwife right away.
As your body gets ready for birth, the joints of your pelvis change. Mayo Clinic’s page on sacroiliac joint inflammation notes that the sacroiliac joints loosen and stretch for childbirth, and that the extra weight and changed walking pattern of pregnancy add strain. Those joints sit at the back of the pelvis, right where many moms feel a deep ache that wraps toward the hips.
The NHS page on pelvic pain in pregnancy describes a common version called pelvic girdle pain, or PGP. It explains PGP as a group of uncomfortable symptoms caused by stiffness in the pelvic joints, or by the joints moving unevenly at the front or back of the pelvis. According to the NHS, the pain can show up:
- Over the pubic bone at the front, roughly level with your hips
- Across one or both sides of your lower back
- In the area between the vagina and anus
- Spreading into your thighs
Some moms also feel or hear clicking or grinding in the pelvis, and the NHS notes the pain can be worse when walking or going up and down stairs. Getting out of the car, rolling over in bed and standing on one leg to put on pants are common moments for it to flare.
Timing matters too. The American Pregnancy Association’s guide to hip pain in pregnancy notes that hip pain is most often felt in the third trimester, as the uterus gets heavier and posture shifts to carry it.
Earlier on, a sharp pull at the front of the hip or groin is more often round ligament pain. It tends to come on when you stand up quickly, cough or sneeze. The Cleveland Clinic guide to round ligament pain says it usually lasts only seconds to minutes and is most common in the second trimester.
The NHS lists a few things that make PGP more likely:
- A history of lower back or pelvic girdle pain
- A previous pelvic injury
- PGP in an earlier pregnancy
- A physically demanding job
- Being overweight
Many moms call any ache below the waist “hip pain,” but the exact spot is one of the most useful clues you can give your OB, midwife or chiropractor. Try pointing to where it hurts:
- The outer side of the hip. An ache on the side of the hip, often worse after lying on that side at night. The American Pregnancy Association notes that hip pain is often worse on the side where the baby tends to lie.
- The back of the pelvis. A deep ache low in the back, near the dimples above the buttocks, often on one side. This is where the sacroiliac joints sit, and pain here can spread toward the buttock or the back of the thigh.
- The front, over the pubic bone. A sharp or grinding pain at the center front of the pelvis, often worse when you roll over in bed, climb stairs or move your legs apart. The NHS lists this as one of the main places pelvic girdle pain is felt.
- Down one leg. Shooting, burning or tingling pain down the back of one leg. This can mean the sciatic nerve is irritated, and the American Pregnancy Association notes that the growing uterus can press on it.
You can have more than one of these at the same time. The location matters because what helps one can aggravate another.
Wide-legged stretches may feel good for a tight outer hip, for example, but moving the legs apart is one of the triggers the NHS lists for pelvic girdle pain. If a stretch makes sharp pain at the front of your pelvis worse, stop it and tell your provider. Pain at the pubic bone, a shooting pain down one leg and a quick stab low in the belly when you stand up usually point to different causes, and our guide to telling pelvic pain, sciatica and round ligament pain apart shows how to sort them out.
It also helps to notice when the pain shows up. For a few days, jot down whether it is worst in the morning, after sitting or driving, after lifting your toddler, or at night in bed. Bring those notes to your next prenatal appointment or your first visit with us. Patterns like these make it much easier to work out what is driving the pain.
Small changes to how you move through the day can take a lot of pressure off the pelvis. The NHS suggests these habits for pelvic girdle pain:
- Stay active, but avoid the things that clearly make the pain worse
- Rest when you can, and wear supportive shoes
- Stand with your weight spread evenly on both legs
- Sit down to get dressed or undressed
- Sleep with a pillow between your legs
- Avoid long stretches of sitting or standing, lots of trips up and down stairs, and lifting heavy things
That last point is the hard one for parents who already have a toddler at home. Where you can, have your little one climb up to you rather than lifting them from the floor, and switch which hip you carry them on.
The NHS also notes that physiotherapy for PGP can include exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles, and equipment such as a pelvic support belt. Ask your OB or midwife which options make sense for you. If your back hurts more than your hips, these tips for easing back pain while you are pregnant may help too.
At Radiant Chiropractic, Dr. Williams is Webster certified, a chiropractic approach focused on the pelvis during pregnancy. A first prenatal visit starts with your history and how far along you are. Then comes a gentle exam of how your pelvis, hips and lower back are moving.
We use a pregnancy support cushion so you can lie comfortably on the table, and care is coordinated with your OB or midwife, not a replacement for them. Many visits use the Webster Technique, a gentle approach focused on pelvic balance, and our page on prenatal chiropractic care with the Webster Technique explains what a typical visit includes.
We also talk through the habits above, because the time between visits matters just as much as the visit itself. Our Colleyville chiropractic office is an easy drive from Southlake, Keller and nearby North Richland Hills.
Call your OB or midwife if your pelvic or hip pain, as the NHS advises:
- Makes it hard to move around
- Hurts when you get out of a car or turn over in bed
- Makes stairs painful
- Is causing you real distress
Call right away for sudden or severe pain, a fever, vaginal bleeding, or any of the signs of preterm labor listed in March of Dimes’ guide to the signs of preterm labor:
- A change in vaginal discharge
- Pressure in the pelvis or lower belly
- A constant low, dull backache
- Cramps or regular contractions
- Your water breaking
Is hip pain normal during pregnancy?
Yes, hip and pelvic pain are common as the pelvic joints loosen and your posture changes. The NHS describes pelvic girdle pain as symptoms caused by stiffness in the pelvic joints. Common doesn’t mean you have to ignore it, so let your OB or midwife know, especially if it makes it hard to move around.
What is pelvic girdle pain?
Pelvic girdle pain, or PGP, is the NHS term for pain caused by stiffness or uneven movement in the pelvic joints during pregnancy. It can be felt over the pubic bone, across the lower back, between the vagina and anus, or into the thighs, and it often gets worse with walking and stairs.
How should I sleep with hip pain during pregnancy?
The NHS suggests sleeping with a pillow between your legs, which helps keep your hips and pelvis in a more even position. If a particular position still hurts, mention it at your next prenatal appointment.
Is chiropractic care an option during pregnancy?
For many moms, yes. Dr. Williams is Webster certified, and we use a pregnancy support cushion so you can lie comfortably. Care should always be coordinated with your OB or midwife, so bring any instructions or limits from your provider to your first visit.
Is it normal for hip pain to be on only one side?
Yes, it is common. The NHS notes that pelvic girdle pain can be felt on one or both sides of the lower back. The American Pregnancy Association says hip pain is often worse on the side where the baby tends to lie. Sudden or severe pain, or pain with fever, bleeding or fluid leaking, needs a call to your OB or midwife right away.
Should I stop a stretch if it makes my hip pain worse?
Yes. If a stretch makes sharp pain worse, especially at the front of the pelvis, stop it. Moving the legs apart is one of the triggers the NHS lists for pelvic girdle pain, so wide-legged stretches are not always the right choice. Ask your OB, midwife or physiotherapist which stretches suit your pain.
Why does hip pain get worse later in pregnancy?
The American Pregnancy Association notes that hip pain is most often felt in the third trimester. By then the pelvic joints and ligaments have loosened, the uterus is heavier, posture has shifted to carry it, and the growing uterus can press on the sciatic nerve. Tracking when your pain is worst gives your provider useful clues.
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