During pregnancy, your hips are prone to pain due to the role that they play in supporting the body and movement. Approximately 32% of women experience hip pain during pregnancy, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Pain is usually felt on the side or back of the hip, or throughout the pelvic girdle. It can feel dull or sharp and can appear gradually or suddenly. Hip pain can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but it is most common in the second and third trimesters as your fetus grows and your body prepares for birth.
What are the causes of hip pain during pregnancy?
The following are the most common causes of hip pain in the second and third trimesters:
- The release of a pregnancy hormone (relaxin), which relaxes the connective tissue between your bones throughout your body and frequently causes back and hip pain.
- Normal and excessive weight gain that puts pressure on your joints and ligaments throughout the day
- Changes in posture caused by weight gain, weight redistribution around the belly, and even carrying an older child or heavy items can all cause hip pain.
Our Bub's Maternity Pillow™ can help alleviate hip pain by wedging under and supporting your belly and back while you sleep, relieving pressure on your hip joints and ligaments.
This, however, may not be sufficient to fully alleviate hip pain during pregnancy. This is because hip pain is caused by changes in your body that affect you throughout the day, not just when you sleep.
If you only recently began sleeping on your side after getting the Bub's Maternity Pillow™, you may want to consider that the source of your discomfort is not the pillow itself, but rather the transition into sleeping in a position that your body isn't used to yet.
But don’t worry! Whatever the cause of your back and hip pain, we have some solutions for you!
SOLUTION #1: GET BETTER LEG SUPPORT
If you experience hip pain after using the Bub's Maternity Pillow™, you may need more support between your knees while sleeping.
This is because with your pelvis loosening up its joints and ligaments to prepare for birth (thanks, hormones!), the weight of your upper leg when side-sleeping will force your pelvis into an uncomfortable and unnecessary flexion over your body.
While the Auxiliary Pillow that comes with your Bub's Pillow provides some cushioning between your legs, you may find more relief by using a thicker pillow that keeps your legs farther apart.
A regular pillow may be used between your legs. If this is enough, then congratulations! Problem solved, it's nap time!
However, in our experience regular pillows can often get too hot, and move too much. If you can't seem to find a pillow that works for you, our breathable Bub's Full Body Attachment could be the perfect match for extra support on your legs, back, or front.
The Full Body Attachment, like our Bub's Pillow, comes with a 90-day risk-free trial, so if it doesn't relieve your discomfort, you can return it for a full refund.
SOLUTION #2: SUPPORT YOUR BUMP WITH A PELVIC BELT
While our pillow may help alleviate hip pain entirely or partially at night, you may want to consider wearing a pelvic belt during the day to support your growing bump and prevent hip pain.
A pelvic belt supports your belly all day, reducing involuntary changes in posture caused by weight gain. This lessens strain on your joints and ligaments, resulting in less hip pain and better sleep.
A 2017 clinical study on pelvic belts in pregnant women concluded that pelvic belts had a positive effect on the body and could help treat hip pain.
As an added benefit, a pelvic belt will also reduce the strain on your skin caused by a growing bump. This aids in the prevention and reduction of stretch marks during pregnancy, and in the tightening of the skin during post-partum recovery.
Tired of your hips aching throughout the day and at night? The Bub’s Bump Support Maternity Band is the perfect daytime complement to your Bub's Pillow. Just like our Bub's Maternity Pillow™, our belt comes with a 90-Day Risk-Free Trial. If it doesn’t help, you can send it back!
SOLUTION #3: SEEK MEDICAL INTERVENTION
It’s important to consult your doctor if you have persistent or severe hip pain, so they can examine you and your baby to look for signs of premature labor and other issues.
In certain case scenarios, a doctor may recommend OTC or over-the-counter medication to help treat hip or other body pain. As such, it’s critical that pregnant women should strictly follow their doctor's medication instructions due to some risks that are associated with OTC medications, such as acetaminophen. In the same way, do not take OTC pain relievers if you haven’t talk to your doctor yet.
SOLUTION #4: STRETCHES OR EXERCISES
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises pregnant women to continue exercising throughout their pregnancy.
Workouts that a pregnant woman can do include yoga, swimming, walking, and other light to moderate activities. Doing these exercises daily has a substantial advantage because it can help prevent excess weight gain, which puts additional strain on the hips.
Prenatal yoga classes are one type of exercise that can benefit pregnant women. In fact, several yoga poses stretch the hips and other areas of the body that may be sore from pregnancy aches and pains.
According to a 2019 study on prenatal yoga, poses like Child's Pose, Cat Pose, Table, One Leg Forward Bend, and Squat with Kegel can help improve stability and reduce hip pain. According to the study, these modified yoga routines are both safe and effective during pregnancy.
However, before commencing any new exercise program, pregnant women should consult with their medical practitioners, who may be able to recommend exercise programs suitable to the woman's fitness level. So, when is exercise harmful to a pregnant woman? When they have any of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- A sudden gush of fluid from the vagina
- A headache
- Chest pain
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Muscle weakness
- Shortness of breath before starting
- Regular or painful contractions
- Calf pain or swelling
We hope that with this post, we were able to help you understand why you are experiencing hip pain, even after the purchase of our Bub's Maternity Pillow™. Got any questions or comments? Do leave us a comment below! We’d love to hear your thoughts!