Understanding Pelvic & Hip Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings big changes to your body—some expected, others less so. For many women, pelvic girdle pain and hip discomfort become real challenges.

Why does pelvic pain happen?

• Hormones and loose ligaments
  During pregnancy, your body releases hormones (like relaxin) to prepare for birth. These hormones make the ligaments around your joints more flexible. While this is important for delivery, it can also make the joints of your pelvis less stable. If the joints move unevenly, it can lead to pain or discomfort.

• Pubic symphysis soreness
  The pubic symphysis is the joint at the very front of your pelvis, where the two sides meet. As ligaments loosen and your pelvis adjusts to pregnancy, this joint can become irritated or inflamed. The result is pain at the front of the pelvis, often felt when walking, climbing stairs, or turning in bed.

• Extra load and posture changes
  As your baby grows, the extra weight shifts your centre of gravity forward. This can change the way you walk and stand, putting more strain on the hips and lower back. Over time, the increased load on these joints can cause them to feel sore, stiff, or overworked.

What helps?

• Avoid heavy lifting or standing on one leg for long periods

• Try supportive belts or pillows.

• Keep up gentle exercise, tailored for your stage of pregnancy.

How Woodend Osteo can help

Osteopathic treatment may:

• Ease tight muscles around the hips, back, and pelvis
  During pregnancy, muscles often work harder to support changes in posture and the growing baby. This can lead to tightness, tension, and discomfort. Gentle osteopathic techniques such as soft tissue massage, stretching, and joint mobilisation can release tension, improve blood flow, and help muscles work more efficiently.

• Restore balance and movement to the pelvic joints
  When the pelvic joints move unevenly—whether from hormonal changes, extra load, or posture shifts—pain can follow. Osteopaths use hands-on techniques to encourage smoother, more balanced movement through the pelvis, hips, and spine. This can improve stability and reduce irritation in sore or overloaded joints.

• Provide strategies to reduce pain during everyday activities
  Osteopaths don’t just treat the pain in the clinic—they also give you tools to manage it day-to-day. This might include advice on posture and your exercise routine or prescribing rehab to keep your body moving, and tips for activities like sitting, standing, lifting, or getting in and out of bed. The goal is to help you stay active and comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

Pelvic and hip pain is common, but it doesn’t have to rule your pregnancy. At Woodend Osteo we offer safe, hands-on support to keep you moving with greater comfort.