Quick Summary: Hip pain during pregnancy is common, but severe, long-lasting, or radiating pain may need closer attention. The article explains common causes like relaxin, sciatica, pelvic girdle pain, symphysis pubis dysfunction, and possible hip strain or labral tears. It recommends gentle stretching, warm baths or compresses, prenatal massage, and chiropractic care as possible ways to reduce discomfort. It also warns that severe third-trimester pain, cramping, contractions, discharge, or pain before 37 weeks should be discussed with a doctor right away.
Last Updated: 6/22/26
Hip pain isn’t uncommon for women during pregnancy. But long-term, radiating, or severe pain may indicate something is wrong.
If you’re still in the days of early pregnancy, or if you’re struggling to sleep, stand, or walk, you can use this guide to find long-lasting relief from unbearable hip pain and determine your next steps for care.
Here is a quick look at common causes of hip pain during pregnancy and ways to manage the discomfort.
Hip Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Relief Options
| Cause or Concern | What It May Feel Like | What May Help |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxin and pregnancy changes | Looser joints, pelvic discomfort, hip soreness, or aching as the body prepares for delivery. | Gentle stretching, strengthening, warm baths, compresses, and supportive care. |
| Sciatic nerve pain | Pain that may begin in the lower back and travel through the hip, leg, heel, or foot. | Stretching, posture support, and chiropractic care from a provider experienced with pregnancy. |
| Pelvic girdle pain | Aching, shooting, or heavy-feeling pain around the pelvis, sacroiliac joints, or pubic area. | Pelvic floor strengthening, gentle movement, massage, and professional evaluation. |
| Symphysis pubis dysfunction | Pelvic pressure, heaviness, or pain that may begin in the second trimester. | Careful movement, pregnancy-safe exercises, warm compresses, and guidance from a provider. |
| Labral tear or hip strain | Hip stiffness, clicking, limited range of motion, or pain while walking or moving. | Medical evaluation, possible physical therapy, and a treatment plan based on the severity of the injury. |
| Third-trimester warning signs | Severe pain, cramping, contractions, unexplained discharge, or pain before week 37. | Call your doctor or OB/GYN right away, especially if symptoms could point to pre-term labor. |
| General pregnancy hip pain | Hip soreness, trouble sleeping, pain while standing, or discomfort while walking. | Gentle stretching, warm baths, compresses, prenatal massage, and chiropractic care. |
What Does Unbearable Hip Pain During Pregnancy Mean?
Because back pain can range widely from the persistent discomfort of chronic back pain to the sudden sharp twinge of acute back pain, it’s important to first locate where the pain is being caused.
Differentiating Between Lower Back Pain And Upper Back Pain
During pregnancy, pain around the hip or pelvic area can take many forms. The vast majority comes from the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which loosens your pelvis’s muscles, joints, and ligaments in preparation for delivery.
But there are several other reasons why you may be experiencing pain. Getting to the bottom of things can help you identify treatments, including chiropractic care.
Let’s look closer at the different types of pelvic pain:
Sciatic Nerve Pain
The largest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back and runs through the legs, heels, and feet. During pregnancy, sciatic pain (also called sciatica) may result from added pressure on the nerve. The good news is, it’s rarely permanent — most people experience full relief post-pregnancy.
Keep in mind official diagnoses of sciatica in pregnant women are rare. According to recent studies, just 1% of pregnant individuals experience sciatic nerve pressure. Your risks are much higher in the second and third trimesters as your baby gets larger and heavier.
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Sometimes shortened to PGP, Pelvic Girdle Pain affects 7% to 65% of pregnant women (and up to 45% of postpartum women). This is often described as an achy or shooting pain radiating through the sacroiliac joints and symphysis pubis joint.
A heavy-feeling pelvic area could indicate symphysis pubis dysfunction, which is a type of PGP beginning in the second trimester. This usually resolves on its own post-delivery, although there are ways to relieve the pain during pregnancy (more on this later).
Labral Tear
As your baby grows and puts on weight, your body contends with additional strain. Combined with relaxin and other pregnancy hormones, your risk for hip muscle tears (also called labral tears) becomes increasingly high.
It’s hard to overlook a labral tear. You may experience symptoms like:
- Hip stiffness or clicking
- Limited range of motion
- Aches and pains while walking or running
If you do experience a labral tear during pregnancy, you may need to consider a hip replacement plus physical therapy. Labral reconstruction isn’t necessary in all cases, but it’s a good idea to discuss your options with a physician.
What About Hip Pain During the Third Trimester?
Anywhere from 32% to 67% of women report third-trimester back pain. While pain experienced after week 37 could be a normal indication of labor, pain experienced at week 36 or earlier may indicate pre-term labor.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, you should call your doctor if:
- You find unexplained discharge
- You feel lower back pain whenever you change positions
- You experience cramping and/or contractions every 10 minutes
How to Relieve Hip Pain During Pregnancy
It’s not always possible to eliminate hip pain during pregnancy.
That said, there are several strategies for reducing discomfort and managing symptoms until your delivery date.
Let’s start with one of the easiest solutions:
Stretching
Light stretching and strengthening is an excellent way to reduce the severity of hip and joint pain. Recent studies indicate they assist with a higher pain tolerance, which can help you navigate the remaining weeks of your pregnancy with less pain.
Focus on strengthening your pelvic floor as much as possible, including your stomach, back, and hip muscles. The Mayo Clinic has an excellent resource citing pregnancy stretches week by week. This can help with both right and left hip pain during pregnancy.
Warm Baths and Compresses
Superficial heat can help to modulate pain by blocking your body’s pain gateway. You can use this to your advantage during all stages of pregnancy — all you need is a tub and some washcloths.
You might consider using cold compresses for pain relief, although keep in mind this doesn’t work for everyone. Cold is generally better for new or traumatic injuries, whereas heat is better for lingering pain in the pelvic joints.
Professional Massages
Treating yourself to a professional massage could drastically reduce hip pain during pregnancy. Studies show it can reduce pain levels by more than 50%, leading to better relaxation and higher-quality sleep.
Many masseuses offer prenatal packages and use specialized techniques to protect your baby. Just do your research before choosing a provider — you want to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Chiropractic Care
Seeking chiropractic care from a local provider is a proven treatment for hip pain. There are no contraindications to speak of during pregnancy. Some studies even report25% to 31% shorter delivery times.
Of course, not just any chiropractor has experience working with pregnant women. Be sure to do your research before selecting a provider.
Pro Tip: You should look for a chiropractor with experience adjusting infants and children. This ensures you’ve found a professional who can support both yourself and the newest member of your family.
Managing Unbearable Hip Pain During Pregnancy: The Logical Conclusion
Hip pain is certainly no laughing matter during pregnancy. But the good news is, it usually resolves itself after delivery.
While you’re waiting for that magical day of childbirth, you can rely on one or more of the pain relief methods above. Chiropractic care is one of the best options, especially if you’re looking for long-lasting relief.
Are you experiencing hip pain? If so, we want to help. With more than 30 years of experience adjusting women during pregnancy, Matthews Family Chiropractic can build a personalized plan for pain relief until delivery.
You can contact our team at (704) 845-0699 to schedule your first chiropractic visit.
Unbearable Hip Pain During Pregnancy: The FAQs
When should I be concerned about hip pain during pregnancy?
Some level of pelvic discomfort is expected during pregnancy. However, if you:
- Have not reached the 37th week of pregnancy
- Feel radiating pain near your inner thighs
- Experience additional symptoms such as lower back pain
Immediately get in touch with your primary care provider. You may be going into pre-term labor.
Does severe hip pain mean labor is near?
Some amount of hip pressure is expected during pregnancy. However, severe hip pain in your third trimester may be a sign of labor.
Speak with your obstetrician/gynecologist about your hip pain if you’re near your baby’s due date. However, if you are well before the 37th-week mark and the pain does not radiate to your inner thighs, chiropractic care may be a viable solution for addressing your discomfort.
How can I stop hip pain during pregnancy?
You have several options for managing hip pain during pregnancy:
- Gentle stretching with slow, measured movements
- Hot baths, warm compresses, and massages
- Chiropractic adjustments from a trained professional
You can schedule a professional chiropractic adjustment by calling Matthews Family Chiropractic at (704) 845-0699.
References
- Springer: Pain Management in Pregnancy
- Springer: Pelvic Girdle Pain and Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy
- Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research: Acetabular Labral Tears
- National Library of Medicine: Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain
- American Pregnancy Association: Preterm Labor
- PubMed: Stretching and Pain Tolerance
- Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy Stretches
- Gale Academic: Pain Gate Theory and Heat Therapy
- National Library of Medicine: Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
- American Pregnancy Association: Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
- National Library of Medicine: Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy Outcomes
About the Author: Dr. John Hanna is the co-founder of Matthews Family Chiropractic in Matthews, NC, established in 1990 alongside his wife, Dr. Mechelle Hanna. For over 35 years, he has provided chiropractic care to individuals and families throughout the greater Charlotte area, specializing in the Pierce Results® technique — a motion X-ray-guided method for precise subluxation correction. Dr. Hanna is committed to helping patients find lasting relief without surgery or medication and is a frequent speaker at community wellness events throughout the region.
