How to Relieve Unbearable Hip Pain During Pregnancy

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’s everything you should know about hip pain during pregnancy.

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 report 25% 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.