Pain In The Hip Bone During Pregnancy: The Causes & Remedies

In her 30^th week of pregnancy, my cousin Sandra’s recurring hip joint pain confined her to complete bed rest. The discomfort started in her fourth month, making standing and constant movements difficult.

Are you also experiencing pain in the hip bone during pregnancy? Worry not. You’re not alone. Pregnancy is a delicate phase characterized by backaches, abdominal pain and pelvic discomfort.

Read on to discover what causes hip joint pain, possible remedies and when you require urgent medical attention.

Pain In The Hip Bone During Pregnancy, Why?

Several reasons may cause hip bone pain during pregnancy, such as weight gain, relaxin hormone, posture, Sciatica, repetitive movement and vigorous physical activities.

Additionally, round ligament discomfort may cause a sharp/piercing pain around the hip, abdomen, thighs, groin and buttocks.

Like abdominal, back or pelvic pain, it’s relatively normal to experience hip bone discomfort as the baby grows. You may feel it on the area around your pelvic girdle. The pain intensity varies from sharp to mild and may occur suddenly or gradually.

While pain can start anytime during pregnancy, experts recommend getting a medical checkup for hip pain in early pregnancy as it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Usually, such pain during the second and third trimesters results from pressure from your growing munchkin. Further, as you near your due date, the hips naturally widen in anticipation of delivery.

Hip bone pain may also worsen if you start a new fitness routine at home/gym. Walking or, in some cases, falling accidentally could lead to trauma and hip injury. The good news is that most such cases are treatable.

Is It Normal To Have Hip Pain When Pregnant?

Experiencing hip pain while pregnant is often considered normal. According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), approximately 32% of women experience hip bone pain during pregnancy.

Towards the third trimester, the hip starts expanding in preparation for childbirth. This expansion may sometimes make your hips painful and sore. At this point, abdominal and groin discomfort could occur.

Pregnancy hormones relax musculoskeletal joints and connective ligaments, making the hips more prone to injury. Furthermore, the hip plays a crucial role in supporting your body and can be easily damaged when standing, lifting, sitting and lying down.

What Causes Pain In The Hip Bone During Pregnancy?

While hip bone pain during pregnancy isn’t completely avoidable, knowing the causative factors gives you peace of mind and appropriate solutions.

Some of the leading causes of hip pain among pregnant women are as follows:

Weight gain – It’s healthy to add some extra pounds during pregnancy. Depending on an individual, there’s a recommended limit you shouldn’t surpass. The additional weight puts more pressure on your hips and pelvis, making them painful/swollen.
The Relaxin Hormone – A pregnant woman’s body secretes Relaxin within the ovary’s corpus Luteum gland. In pregnancy, increased Relaxin loosens tendons while affecting the musculoskeletal system, including bones, ligaments, muscles and connective tissues.

Further, this hormone stretches your hips, making the weight-supporting joints (sacroiliac) dysfunctional. Once your hip joint is affected, it makes mobility difficult/poor.

Posture – Your belly is growing bigger with every passing day. You also have a new shape. That’s an excellent development. However, remember that the protruding belly alters your body’s gravity and posture, putting your hips at risk of strain.
Round ligament pain – This is characterized by a sharp/ piercing pain in your hip, groin or abdomen, especially during the second trimester.

Round ligament pain worsens due to poor posture, intense physical activities and repetitive movement. Such demanding activities damage the ligaments connecting the pelvis to your uterus.

Pressure on Sciatic nerves – Medically known as Sciatica, the condition occurs when your expanded uterus puts pressure on two sciatic nerves connecting the lower back to the feet.

Sciatica causes pain/ discomfort in the thighs, groin, buttocks and hips. What’s comforting is that the pressure drastically reduces towards delivery as your baby changes positions.

Physically demanding activities – Heavy lifting, standing, high-impact exercises and repetitive movements may overwork or wear out your delicate hips. This causes pain and sometimes injuries.

Many women experience body pain, from hip bone issues to abdomen or lower back discomfort. Mostly, they are a normal part of a healthy pregnancy and quickly improve through home remedies.

8 At-Home Remedies For Relieving Pain In The Hip Bone During Pregnancy

There are natural and medical treatments for hip bone pain. This includes using special over-the-counter medication for hip soreness and pain.

Since the pain is primarily mild, home remedies are also effective. Such non-medical solutions include:

Hot water therapy – Place a warm compress, heating pad, heat pack, or hot water bottle on the pain area to soothe and reduce discomfort. Avoid pressing the heat directly on your skin or belly to prevent burns.
Mind your sleeping position – Side sleeping is the most prevalent position during pregnancy. To avoid putting pressure on your hips, bend your knees and use pregnancy pillows to support the leg /abdomen.
Pelvic belt – This is a helpful accessory for supporting your pelvis and hips. However, it’s best to buy from specialty pregnancy supplies stores as they’ll offer you expert advice on picking the most suitable one.
Take a warm bath – Aside from soothing your body, a bath enhances the proper circulation of blood. Further, the warmth calms your pain receptor nerves.
Exercises –I know how scary the thought of moving a painful hip can be. Experts recommend mild exercises for a healthy pregnancy.

Being active helps you reduce body weight, which can aggravate hip pain. Take a walk in the park or around the house while listening to your body.

Swimming is also excellent. Get your doctor’s advice before starting any physical activity.

Yoga and stretches – Yoga benefits your muscles, joints and ligaments. A Global Advances in Health and Medicine study affirmed the importance of yoga sessions in minimizing hip pain.

Child’s pose is among the best for stretching joints and muscles. That said, dizziness, headaches, chest pain and body swelling are signs that you’re overdoing yoga sessions.

Massage – Gently hand-massage your painful hip bone for five minutes daily to ease soreness and discomfort. Massage accessories, including spikey or tennis balls, improve blood circulation while reducing pain.
Mind your sitting posture – Avoid sitting for long hours and crossing your legs/ankles as it puts immense pressure on your hip area. If your work involves a lot of sitting, get up periodically and take short walks around the office. While sitting, keep your hips higher than the knees.

When Should I Worry About Hip Pain During Pregnancy?

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice the following symptoms accompanying hip bone pain:

Pink, brown vaginal discharge.
Prolonged, constant, recurrent severe pain.
Pain that interferes with walking, sitting or standing.
Lower back pain
Preterm contractions/labor
Soreness or swelling in the pelvis

Wrapping Up

Pain in the hip bone during pregnancy is a common, manageable symptom. Mostly, the discomfort is normal and shouldn’t worry you.

Increased Relaxin hormones, weight gain, Sciatica and round ligament pain are some leading causes of hip bone pain.

You may use home remedies, including compress heat, pelvic support belt, exercises, yoga and massage to alleviate the pain. If the pain worsens, visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.