Your hip has a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is at the end of the thigh bone while the socket is on the pelvis. The pelvis is attached to the tail, which is the base of the spine. This arrangement facilitates hip flexion, flexion, extension, traction and insertion. It also lets you bend and stand straight.
There is also very little extra space. During pregnancy, your hip should adjust to give the baby enough space to grow and develop. And during childbirth, the pelvis should extend further to create a fertile space. This expansion can lead to hypo or hypermobility during or after pregnancy.
How do hormones contribute to hip pain?
Some of the hormones produced during pregnancy help the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic area to stretch, which allows the bones to expand to accommodate the baby’s growth.
However, these hormones can also cause stress on soft tissues. While some muscles are relaxed, others are tightening, which can lead to changes in posture and pain.
There are some simple steps you can take to deal with hip pain, including:
Strengthening exercises; Any type of strengthening exercise would be good, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the thigh and trunk muscles to help spread the workload involved in keeping you standing and moving. A physical therapist can help you teach you these skills.
Water exercises; Towards the end of your pregnancy, you may need to stay away from your legs and walking too much can make your hip pain worse. Since pregnant women are advised to get proper exercise, this can be a good time to try swimming, which can reduce the strain on both the hips and joints.
An iliac brace; When you get up, consider wearing a iliac bracelet, or pregnancy belt, to support your spine and middle part. One that has extra tape under the abdomen can also reduce some of the ongoing stress through your hips. Ask your doctor to recommend a label that may be right for you.
Many expectant mothers report feeling some form of physical discomfort after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If you have started to experience pregnancy joint pain, hip pain during pregnancy and other pain, you are in the right place! Laximedical has compiled a comprehensive list of tips and tricks to help reduce and explore ways to correct the causes of hip and hip pain during the second and third trimesters.
Symptoms
- contractions every 10 minutes
- back pain
- pressure around your pelvis
- cramping pain near your abdomen (stomach)
- vaginal discharge brown or pink
Causes of right hip pain during pregnancy
Physical changes in the body cause severe hip pain during pregnancy. The softening and shifting of the pelvic bones as well as the pressure to carry the baby only increases. Let’s take a look at some of these changes that contribute to physical changes and cause hip pain during pregnancy.
Excess weight; women and those with previous back and hip problems will no doubt experience hip pain during pregnancy. With pressure on the pelvis, your back and hips are under extra pressure due to the growing uterus.
Round ligament pain; Considered a normal part of pregnancy, it is a sharp discharge that is felt in the lower abdomen or groin. The cords with two round edges of the uterus expand and become thick enough to support and support the baby. The pain is felt as the occasional rupture lasts for a few seconds, which is excruciating but harmless.
Relaxin; The hormone needed for smooth delivery, is released as early as the first trimester. In the third trimester, relaxin is produced in large quantities and encourages the pelvic organs and muscles to relax, stretch, and flex. It helps the joints and ligaments between the pelvic bones to relax and increase flexibility.
Osteoporosis; generally affects women over the age of 40, but can also affect young women in the second and third trimesters. Consult a physician if you are experiencing sudden hip pain that increases while walking or during other physical activity. An MRI scan will be able to diagnose the condition, and the prognosis can last up to 2 months.
Sciatica; The two sciatic nerves in your body are under a lot of pressure as your uterus grows. This increased pressure on the sciatic nerve also causes severe hip pain during pregnancy. The dilated uterus puts pressure on the arteries, and you get pain in the hips and thighs.
Prevention
By the end of the second trimester, you will have made peace with the fact that hip pain is here, but it does not mean that you cannot seek help for small tips. Here are a few ways to reduce hip pain during pregnancy:
- You can apply ice packs several times to get immediate relief from pain.
- Lie on your back, leaning on your elbows or pillow. Then squeeze the pillow between your knees. This can help repair your pelvic bones. It can alleviate your pain over time.
- Wear a prenatal girdle or belt around your waist, below your abdomen. It can help strengthen your hips.
- Measure the comfort level of your mattress and try and invest in one that gives you maximum comfort.
- Set aside those ‘high heels’ until your delivery. Choose flat pumps or slip-ons for a comfortable ride.
- Drink plenty of water and have foods rich in calcium, magnesium and folic acid that help maintain bone density.
- Painkillers are not recommended to reduce pain as the baby may be affected. Consult a physician before prescribing any painkiller.
- Stretching exercises help reduce pain, too. Consult a specialist, or obstetrician, to learn some of the techniques that may help you to reduce pain.
Let’s look at some of the stretching exercises that a prenatal fitness professional is most likely to recommend. Now, these dynamics may seem easy to do, but they can lead to other bodily issues if not done properly. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you learn from a prenatal health professional and practice it regularly in the presence of a professional or family member who can assist you if needed.
Treatment of right hip pain during pregnancy
Treating pelvic floor pain is important as it causes sleep problems, mental stress and discomfort during the day. Although hip pain is a very common symptom that accompanies pregnancy, there are several ways to relieve right hip pain during pregnancy and make you feel comfortable.
1. Magnesium
One of the best ways to deal with hip pain during pregnancy is to get rid of self massage or baths. Applying epsom or magnesium salt for a warm bath can help reduce some of the pain in the hips. But, rubbing yourself with magnesium or balm lotion is the best way to treat sore, painful hips.
What is the best magnesium lotion for pregnant women?
8 Sheep Organics Sleepy Body Lotion is the best way to soothe after a long day and prepare your body and mind for a deep and peaceful sleep.
It is made by hand in small groups, and does wonders for hip, back and nerve pain. It also prevents foot pain and restless foot disease, while smoothing your skin and reducing stress. It is completely organic, and includes a 60-day warranty.
2. Improve your body position during sleep
One of the main ways to reduce hip pain during pregnancy is to improve your posture or posture during sleep. If you were to ask a specialist what is the best place to sleep, he would most likely tell you if you were lying on your back with a pillow under your knees to form a small angle. You want to remain as neutral as possible.
Obviously, while your pregnancy is progressing, this is not possible. Eventually you will need to provide a good body position to get enough rest to sleep. But, you can try using a pregnant body pillow.
This will help you keep your hips straight and maintain a normal backbone. You can also try a pillow between your legs to reduce the pressure on your hips.
3. Keep moving forward
It is generally safe to exercise during pregnancy, but you should do what you feel good about. Stretching with any gentle exercise that helps to strengthen your abdomen and lower back muscles can reduce your hip pain.
Swimming is ideal, as water helps your weight and reduces pressure on your joints. Avoid having a breast stroke, however, as the kicking action can be painful if you already have back or hip pain.
Instead, try to bend your back or swim in front of you, stomping your feet while keeping your knees together and holding the float. You can also try pilates or yoga to help you stay fit. Be sure to tell any teacher that you are pregnant so just do the stretching and lifting that is safe.
4. Stretching Exercises
Stretching is helpful for the body, regardless of whether you are pregnant or not. Stretching exercises lengthen your muscles and relax your entire body to make you comfortable and improve your mood. It is highly recommended for pregnant women as it helps reduce stress, tension, and pain, and also stimulates smooth labor.
Stretching the hips during pregnancy is not only beneficial for you but for your baby as well. When you stretch, it helps to bring more oxygen to your baby, thus increasing your baby’s growth in the womb. Include stretching in your daily routine during pregnancy. Here are a few ways you can try it while you are pregnant:
- Hamstring Stretches
- Seated Piriformis Stretch
- Hip Flexor Stretch
Do this exercise only after consulting your doctor. Also, do not continue if you feel a slight discomfort and if you have a dangerous pregnancy
5. Prenatal yoga and pilates
We cannot stress enough the importance of exercise during pregnancy. Even daily walks are more than most women get when they are expecting.
But, sometimes walking will only increase hip pain, especially if you have a walking motion, as we discussed above. Special prenatal yoga classes with pilates can do wonders for your hip pain.
These activities will help to strengthen your stressed joints, enabling you to find relief. You can also try water aerobics, because exercising in the pool will take a lot of stress on your joints while keeping you alive.
6. Relax your muscles
You may find that taking a warm bath or applying a warm compress to the hip helps reduce pain naturally by relaxing the muscles in the area. Hot tubs are not recommended during pregnancy because of the risk of overheating.
You can also ask a partner or friend to do a massage around the hip and lower back area to help reduce pressure and tension.
To do this, lie on your side to expose the sore hip and bring your knees up slightly. You may find it more comfortable to put a pillow under your knee or between your knees.
7. Physical therapy
Some women have a bent or twisted pelvis that can cause hip pain. A physical therapist will be able to identify anatomical issues and create a treatment plan that can greatly help you. Do you have a rotated pelvis?
Some women have severe hip pain that can make almost any movement worse. A good physical therapist will also be able to show you how to restore your pelvis at home to help reduce discomfort and hip pain during pregnancy between sessions.
Finally avoid anything that makes hip pain
In addition to doing things that help relieve hip pain, you should stop doing anything that might make it worse, such as carrying heavy shopping bags or doing heavy household chores. This includes vacuum pulling or doing any cleaning with heavy buckets or equipment.
You should also avoid climbing stairs too often, or sitting or standing for long periods of time. Try to keep a balance between relaxation and engaging in activities that help keep your muscles moving forward.
Do you still get hip pain after pregnancy?
Often, pelvic floor pain or PGP tends to subside within one month after delivery, as there is no longer any weight that puts pressure on your pelvis. But it can take about 4 months for the veins in your pelvis to return to normal.
Some women continue to experience hip pain for up to a year after birth. Physical activity and pelvic floor exercises may help, but if you still have hip pain a month or more after giving birth, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a physiotherapist.