Your hips are likely to be in a fair amount of pain by the end of your first trimester. The pregnancy hormone relaxin causes your joints to loosen their usual ligaments, joints, and muscles, making early pregnancy a great time for anyone who’s been sidelined by old injuries to to give them a whirl again! If you’re suffering from hip pain, there are a few things you can do to ease the discomfort and help your body heal.
Certain poses during prenatal yoga that put pressure on your hips are likely to be particularly painful at this time. For this reason, it’s a good idea to ease back into your practice gradually. Try lying on your back with your feet up on a pillow or a block. Then, as you feel ready, try some other poses that don’t put as much pressure on your hips.
Over the course of your second and third trimester, you’ll build up your flexibility, strength, and endurance, enabling you to continue practicing yoga throughout your pregnancy.
Symptoms
let’s look 5 symptoms of left hip pain during early pregnancy.
Decreased Flexibility; One of the most common complaints from pregnant yoga students is decreased flexibility. Your body is incredibly vulnerable during this time due to the extra weight you’re carrying and the fact that it’s growing at an enormous speed! You need to protect your joints and ligaments, which means that you should avoid poses that put excessive strain on your body.
Stiffness and tightness in the hips; Just as your body is growing, so are your ligaments and muscles, which can make them tighter and more prone to injury. If you’re experiencing tightness in your hips, it can make it harder for you to find the correct alignment in certain poses, which can lead to greater pain and discomfort. You should be sure to regularly loosen up your hips with warm baths, showers, or Epsom salt packs.
Decreased Strength and Endurance; As your body is growing, so too are your muscles, which can make them less flexible and less capable of withstanding pressure. This can make it more difficult for you to hold certain poses for the duration of your practice, or even for you to get out of bed in the morning!
Cracking or popping noises when you move; As your ligaments stretch, they’re going to make some noise! You’re going to make the joints in your hips crack and pop, causing a little bit of discomfort. The important thing is to keep moving! Resting your hips can make your condition worse, making it harder for your ligaments to heal. Taking care of your body means moving and engaging your muscles, not just sitting in one place.
A dull ache in your left hip; Heavy weight is going to be focused on your left hip at this time, which can lead to a dull ache. The best thing to do is to keep moving! When you’re stretching, bending, and moving your hips, you’re ensuring that the ligaments in your hip are receiving the nutrients they need to heal.
Causes
If you’re experiencing this type of pain, there are a few things you can do to get through it. The good news is that most cases of left hip pain during pregnancy go away completely once your baby is born. In this article, we’ll be discussing Causes of left hip pain during early pregnancy.
- The growing uterus
The size of your uterus will increase during pregnancy and this can result in lower back pain. As the uterus grows, it presses on your spinal nerves, creating irritation.
- Hernia
A hernia happens when your abdominal muscles become too relaxed and allow your abdomen to protrude beyond its normal location. A hernia can occur at any time during your pregnancy. The good news is that most hernias are preventable in early pregnancy thanks to increased abdominal muscle tone. If your doctor suspects you have a hernia, they may recommend that you wear a supportive belt while you’re pregnant.
- sciatica
sciatic nerve pain happens when this long nerve is pinched by a hernia, tumor, or a slipped disc. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back all the way to the foot, causing pain in the lower back and buttocks. The good news is that sciatic nerve pain is usually only a mild issue during pregnancy and goes away once the baby is born.
- Pelvic girdle pain
Pelvic girdle pain is similar to sciatica and is often misdiagnosed. The main difference is that the sciatic nerve pain is shooting down the leg and pelvic girdle pain is more centralized around the genitals. One of the most common causes of pelvic girdle pain is a pregnancy hernia. Pregnancy hernias occur when the abdominal wall expands more than it should, pressing on the organs inside. The best way to treat this type of pain is to wear a supportive belt.
- Constipation
During early pregnancy, your body is metabolizing more food than usual, which can lead to constipation. The good news is that most cases of constipation get better after the baby is born. In some cases, however, constipation may continue and you may have to take precautions to prevent further complications.
- Overactive bladder
During early pregnancy, the cervix is growing and sprouting new tissue. This can cause the urethra to bend, causing a blockage. The good news is that this condition goes away once the baby is born.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when a person’s hand or fingers are frozen in a position due to numbness or tingling. The syndrome mostly affects women and is often misdiagnosed. It’s usually aggravated by typing or other repetitive movements. The good news is that carpal tunnel syndrome typically goes away after the baby is born.
Treatments
The good news is that most cases of left hip pain during pregnancy go away once the baby is born. In fact, most of the time, you won’t even remember you had it! That being said, there are a few things you can do to help get you through it: Ice it – Apply an ice pack to your painful area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours, or as needed
1. Stop Doing the Things That aggravate your hip pain
Pain in one area of your body can travel down your leg, causing pain in your hip. The best way to avoid this is to stop doing the thing that’s causing you pain. If you’re experiencing left hip pain during pregnancy, you should avoid staying in seated for long periods of time. Try to keep your computer at a standing height, use a standing desk, or stand while you eat. Sitting for long periods of time puts pressure on your hips, which can lead to excessive pain.
2. Stay Active
When you’re active, your body is constantly releasing endorphins. This feels good, and it will also help to avoid left hip pain during pregnancy. The best thing to do is to find an activity that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Walking, hiking, yoga, swimming, or even housecleaning can all be great choices. Just make sure that the activity is low impact and doesn’t put too much pressure on your hips.
3. Maintain Proper Form During Your Daily Activities
When you’re in pain, it’s tempting to overcompensate and hold onto things with too much force. This can lead to pain and misalignment in your joints, including your hip. To avoid this, you should always maintain proper form, especially when you’re using muscles that are closest to your hip, like your core and inner thigh muscles. If you’re gardening, try to keep your back straight and your core engaged. If you’re doing yard work, make sure to keep your back straight and your core engaged.
4. Get a Massage
Massage is a great way to relax and unwind, as well as to treat various physical ailments. It can also be very effective for relieving hip pain. When you have hip pain during pregnancy, a massage from a professional can provide deep tissue massage that helps to release muscle tension. If you don’t have a massage therapist in your area, you can also try using a foam roller. Both of these can provide great relief from left hip pain during pregnancy.
5. Use the Right Lying Position for Best Results
When it comes to treating left hip pain during pregnancy, the main thing you want to do is find the right position. The right lying position is the best position for this because it puts your hips in the right place. The right lying position is also the easiest position to get into and out of. For the right lying position, you want to lie on your left side with your left hip pushed up toward the ceiling. Keep your left leg flat on the floor, and place your right knee bent at a 90 degree angle. This will help to align your hip, while simultaneously putting less pressure on your lower back.
6. Avoid Too Much Stretching
When you’re in pain, you might want to stretch your muscles. While it’s good to do some stretching, you don’t want to do it too often or too much. When you stretch your muscles too much, you tend to overstretch them, which can lead to injury. Instead of stretching, try to focus on activities that will help to strengthen your hips. Swimming, strengthening your core, and doing yoga are all good choices.
7. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on your Hip During Pregnancy
Although it’s important to maintain proper form during your daily activities, it’s also important to avoid putting too much pressure on your hip joints. While sitting with your leg extended and your foot propped up on a wall can be a good way to relieve some pressure, it’s important to avoid putting too much pressure on your hip. When you do this, you put your body under unnecessary stress. One of the best ways to avoid this is to get a massage.
Conlusion
As you can see, there are many ways to treat left hip pain during pregnancy. The most important thing to remember is that it’s not normal to have severe pain in your hip during pregnancy. If you’re experiencing this type of pain, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. They can rule out any medical issues that might be causing the pain and provide you with relief. Remember, the earlier you get treatment, the easier it will be to get through the discomfort.