Hips hurt during pregnancy during sleep: causes, treatment

Pregnancy is a special period for a woman when her body undergoes significant changes:

hormonal levels change, as well as mental state (tearfulness and irritability occur);
the mammary glands and uterus swell and increase in size;
the condition of teeth, hair, nails worsens;
body weight increases;
the load on the heart increases (an additional placental circle appears, the volume of pumped blood increases);
the work of the respiratory organs increases;
increased tone of the bladder occurs;
there is a risk of formation of pathologies of the excretory system (urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis).

Such changes lead to problems with a woman’s health (excessive overload of joints occurs, gait changes, and there is a risk of developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system).

Painful sensations in the hip joint area are a characteristic phenomenon that accompanies the period of bearing a child. The pain appears due to the fact that hormonal changes occur in the woman’s body associated with its gradual preparation for labor. This symptom is typical for the third trimester of pregnancy. At this time, the expectant mother needs to be attentive to her health so as not to miss the disease at the beginning of its development.

Causes of pain

There are several answers to the question of why pain in the hip area occurs during pregnancy. The appearance of pain indicates:

sciatica (inflammation in which the sciatic nerve is pinched; the pain syndrome is located in the gluteal zone and spreads along the entire length of the limbs);
lumbosacral radiculitis.

If your hips hurt during pregnancy, this may indicate a gradual divergence of the pelvic bones (in the case when the pain affects the inner femoral part; this is how the pregnant woman’s body prepares for natural childbirth). This condition is physiological.

The manifestation of night pain syndrome provokes:

increased blood flow (typical for the initial stages of pregnancy);
weakness of the ligamentous apparatus caused by passive pastime: ligaments become unable to perform their functions;
pathologies of the musculoskeletal system present in the pregnant woman;
deficiency of potassium and fluoride, magnesium (provoke muscle spasms);
an increase in the volume of the uterus (as a result of this, increased pressure on the limbs occurs);
overwork;
general fatigue;
stress and nervous disorders;
lack of sleep and uncomfortable body position during night rest.

To reliably establish the nature of an unpleasant symptom and determine ways to relieve it, you should immediately seek advice from your doctor.

Causes of pain at night

Why does hip pain occur at night, preventing you from resting? A common cause is a strained hip muscle. The body releases hormones that increase the mobility of the joints, pelvis and hips to make the upcoming birth easier. Pain in the thigh muscles during sleep lasts until childbirth. The condition is called pubic dehiscence.

When the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, pain occurs in the pelvic and thigh areas. Inflammation occurs due to the increasing load on the uterus of the musculoskeletal system. This brings constant discomfort. When the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, a burning and tingling sensation occurs in the thigh area.

Causes of muscle pain in the hips:

Sedentary, sedentary pastime. With moderate physical activity before pregnancy, the ligaments and muscles of the hip and pelvis are strengthened. If the expectant mother led an inactive lifestyle, the muscles are weakened. Pain in the muscles and hip joints appears during the daytime and at night;
If the expectant mother has a history of musculoskeletal diseases, the risk of hip pain increases;
Lack of calcium and fluoride in the body of the expectant mother;

Physiology of a pregnant woman
Physiological changes due to pregnancy. An enlarged uterus, leading to increased stress on the hip joints, leads to pain in the thigh;
In the last stages of pregnancy, nagging pain occurs in the thigh. Pain signals the preparation of the expectant mother’s body for childbirth;
Overwork, fatigue, increased load due to body weight are the causes of pain in the thigh at night.

Types of pain in the hips

The following types of hip pain in pregnant women are distinguished:

mechanical (occur due to increased physical activity);
starting (appears at the beginning of movement, passes quickly);
nocturnal (disturbs at night when the woman is sleeping);
reflected (signal about pathologies of internal organs).

Pain point location

The location of pain plays an important role in making the correct diagnosis. When sensations radiate to the lower back, abdomen, knees or internal organs, it is more difficult to diagnose the pathology. In addition to the traditional examination by a doctor, you will need to undergo a number of examinations and pass basic tests.

The most common places of pain points:

If the inner thigh hurts during pregnancy, it means natural preparation for childbirth has begun. There is a stretching of muscles and ligaments, divergence of the pelvic bones.
If the hip hurts from the pelvis, near the gluteal muscles, the cause is most likely inflammation of the sciatic nerve. In medicine, the disease is characterized as lumbosacral radiculitis.
The occurrence of pain in the pubic area is a sign of symphysitis (divergence of the womb). The problem is typical for late periods.

Also, in order to identify the cause of the problem, it is recommended to pay attention to the frequency of pain, its duration and nature.

General recommendations

It is not possible to completely get rid of pain in the hips during normal pregnancy. But in order to reduce the intensity of its manifestation, women are prescribed:

Eat properly and nutritiously (the daily diet should include vegetables, fruits, and natural products).
Take vitamins and mineral complexes regularly (their need, composition, dosage, and intake schedule are determined by the gynecologist); patients are prescribed “Alphabet”, “Complivit Mama”, “Multi-tabs”, “Elevit Pronatal”, “Calcium Sandoz Forte”, “Magne B6 Forte”.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress, you can also use a pregnancy pillow; They will help relieve muscle tension and help relieve pain.
Use a special bandage to support the abdomen.
Undergo a massage procedure (it should only be performed by a qualified specialist).
Do gymnastics (for this you should select specially designed sets of physical exercises aimed at relaxing the thigh muscles).
Take walks in the fresh air.
Monitor the correct position of the back and spine when walking (the curvature of the latter additionally loads the joints and muscles and increases pain).
Take relaxing baths with warm water (recommended only in the first trimester; in later stages such procedures are contraindicated).

How to get rid of uncomfortable feelings

To eliminate any pain before conception, it was enough to simply take an analgesic tablet. During pregnancy, you will have to forget about pharmacological drugs. A doctor may prescribe a drug with an analgesic effect, but only for acute pain and in reduced doses. To improve well-being, a woman needs to make adjustments to her usual lifestyle. Taking preventive measures will also help get rid of pain.

Diet

The expectant mother always tries to eat right. She excludes smoked foods, fatty and fried foods, and foods high in spices and salt from the daily menu. This helps avoid the formation of swelling in the legs, which often causes pain when walking. Counting calories allows you to avoid gaining extra pounds, which leads to excess stress on the hip joints.

But it is also very important to eat foods containing a lot of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, potassium, and selenium. It is useless to rely on fresh vegetables and fruits during the cold season. They contain enough coarse fiber and complex carbohydrates, but few vitamins and microelements. Therefore, gynecologists managing pregnancy prescribe special balanced complexes of biologically active substances to expectant mothers - Elevit Pronatal, Alphabet and Complivit for pregnant women, Centrum, Vitrum, Multitabs, Selmevit.

Physiotherapy

The most effective way to quickly get rid of hip pain during pregnancy is daily physical therapy exercises. A set of exercises is compiled individually for a woman by a physical therapy doctor. The first training sessions take place under his leadership. Regular exercise helps improve blood circulation in the lower extremities, strengthens the muscle corset, and prepares the body for the upcoming birth. During training, you should avoid movements that cause discomfort. The goal of the exercises is to improve well-being, not to increase muscle volume. What exercises are most effective:

lie on your back, raise your legs bent at the knees 30-40 cm from the floor. Try to hold them in this position for 15 seconds and then slowly lower them. Exercise helps get rid of swelling of the ankles;
sit on a chair, or better yet, a low stool, raise your leg and do 10 rotations, first in one direction, then in the other direction. Repeat the exercise using the other leg. If you can’t completely perform a set of movements right away, you can do it in 2-3 approaches;
lie on your side, smoothly raise and lower your straightened leg 20-30 times. Roll over to the other side and repeat the exercise. In the later stages of pregnancy, such movements are difficult, so you should raise and lower your legs to a small height and fewer times;
lying on your back, raise your legs, smoothly spread them apart, and then bring them together 20-30 times. If your stomach is already large enough, then you can perform the exercise with your knees bent.

In case of severe swelling, you need to lie down and place your legs on a thick cushion or pillow and simply rotate your feet from side to side. One of the basic rules of training while carrying a child is that when performing exercises, the load should be evenly distributed on the muscles of the legs, and not the abdomen.

Gymnastics for the pelvic area:

Ways to treat night pain

If pregnant women have hip pain during sleep, then help in combating the unpleasant symptom will be provided by:

cold compress (ice should be applied to the sore spot);
self-massage and rubbing of the lower extremities in the area of the pelvic bones (activate blood movement in the vessels, normalize lymph flow);
changing body position (recommended position - lying on your side, bending your knees, you can put a pillow between your legs);
using a warm heating pad (the sore side of the thigh is warmed up; the procedure is carried out only after consultation with a doctor and his approval, taking into account all existing contraindications and assessing the risks).

How not to treat joint pain during pregnancy

In common practice, doctors prescribe gamma-linolenic acid for joint pain. It should not be taken during pregnancy as it may cause premature birth. Turmeric works similarly. It is also prohibited for pregnant women.

If you have been directed to take Acetaminophen, it is important to limit your dosage because overuse of this medication causes liver damage.

Soothing ointments or creams that contain methyl salicylate should be avoided.

If natural remedies do not relieve pain, consult your gynecologist about safe medications to take during pregnancy.

It's also important to talk to your doctor if you were taking arthritis medications before pregnancy. Some of them are not safe to take while pregnant, so your doctor may need to write a new prescription.

Gymnastics as a way to reduce pain

If your hip hurts during pregnancy, you can relieve the discomfort, reduce muscle tension, and normalize sensitivity with the help of gymnastic exercises. Pregnant women are prescribed a gentle exercise regime. Classes should last no more than 10 minutes and should not include jumping or sudden lunges. All techniques must be performed slowly and carefully under the supervision of a specialist.

Before starting physical education, you should obtain the approval of your attending physician.

It is recommended to practice according to the following scheme:

stand straight, legs apart, spread your feet outward; in this position, perform squats, stretching your arms in front of you;
while kneeling, straighten alternate limbs;
in the same position, fully straighten your leg, rest your toes on the floor, and then lift it to hip height; perform the exercise first with one and then with the second limb;
lying on your right side, stretch your left leg straight, bend your right leg and straighten it, pulling the toe towards you;
sit on the floor, place your legs in front of you, bring your feet together, tilt your torso forward, in this position you need to smoothly pull your knees down without making sudden lunges.

Ways to eliminate or relieve hip pain

Comprehensive therapy based on exercise and painkillers will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms and prevent the development of the disease.

To prescribe appropriate medications and draw up a treatment regimen, you should consult a doctor. Self-administration of painkillers is dangerous due to miscarriage and fetal pathologies.

The first medical office you should visit is the gynecological office. From here, the specialist can refer the patient to a neurologist or surgeon. 1-2 weeks before birth, pain in the pelvic area is considered normal and does not require intervention. If your hips hurt during early pregnancy, follow the general recommendations:

Balance your daily diet. Introduce fermented milk products, nuts, legumes, fish and lean meat into the menu. Compensate for the lack of phosphorus and calcium with multivitamin complexes.
Use a bandage to relieve back tension.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress to avoid pinching the sciatic nerve and other problems with the spine and neck.
Visit a massage room regularly or learn basic relaxation techniques on your own.
Limit physical activity.
Wear shoes with orthopedic soles and heels no higher than 3 cm.
Take a warm bath 1-2 times a week.

The unshakable rules for all pregnant women remain walking in the fresh air, receiving positive emotions and healthy, sound sleep. If the pain is severe and intense, use special relaxing poses and exercises. The most effective of them:

"Cat's back." Get on your knees and focus on your hands. Relax your back muscles, keeping your neck, head and spine in line. Then arch your back up, lower your head, and tighten your hips and stomach. Repeat 2-3 times.
"Half-bridge." Lie on your back and bend your knees. Lift your lower back and pelvis up, focusing on your feet. Hold the position for 5 seconds. Perform 2 sets of 10 times.
"Camelback". Get on all fours and raise your head up. Bend your back down and hold in this position for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
"Frog". Lie on your back, bend your knees and bring your feet toward your buttocks. Slowly spread your knees out to the sides without lifting your feet off the floor. Repeat 5-6 times.

Be sure to stretch before and after exercise. This will enhance the effect and keep your muscles toned.

In addition to the main therapy, during sleep and rest, use a special back cushion or pillow for pregnant women. The products help you adopt the correct posture and relieve discomfort.

Prevention

To avoid hip pain, you should follow preventive measures:

avoid increased physical activity and heavy lifting;
engage in physical exercise for pregnant women (exercises can be performed independently at home or by attending special courses for expectant mothers);
monitor your posture and avoid curvature of the spinal column;
wear comfortable shoes without high heels and platforms;
take prescribed medications, vitamin complexes, follow all medical recommendations, undergo regular examinations and attend doctor’s consultations;
swim in swiming pool;
change body position in sleep.

If there is a pulling in the hip area and such pain is explained by a physiological condition, it will stop after the birth of the baby.

Regular adherence to all medical recommendations during pregnancy and preparation for childbirth, a combination of healthy nutrition, sleep, rest and physical activity will help prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system and preserve the health of the unborn child and his mother.

Useful tips

To reduce the severity of pain in the hip joints that occurs for natural and pathological reasons, cold compresses are used. Gynecologists do not recommend using an ice pack for procedures. A woman's immunity during pregnancy is not very strong, so exposure to low temperatures should be avoided. For compresses, a thick cloth or towel soaked in cool water is suitable. It is applied to the area of pain for 20-30 minutes.

If exercise therapy and changing your diet helped improve your well-being, then you need to continue to adhere to this lifestyle. To ensure that joint pain no longer mars the wonderful time of waiting for the baby, preventive measures should be taken. Gynecologists advise adhering to the following rules:

wear comfortable shoes with low heels, purchase special orthopedic inserts. During walking, such devices distribute the load on the heel, toes, and lateral surfaces of the foot, and prevent the formation of edema;
Use a maternity brace while walking or doing housework. Wearing an orthopedic product helps relieve stress from the back, prevents varicose veins, and prevents early descent of the fetus;
sleep only on your side. Sleeping on your back increases the likelihood of compression of the vena cava, which carries a large volume of blood. Its narrowing will cause circulatory problems in the lower extremities and serve as a prerequisite for the development of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, the leading symptom of which is pain in the lower extremities.

To increase muscle tone, doctors advise massaging the thighs: stroking, patting, rubbing. To increase the effectiveness of procedures, you can use cosmetic oils of almond, grape seed, apricot, and wheat germ.

If chronic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system worsen during pregnancy, they are treated with drugs in reduced dosages. And with the development of inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the joints, it is necessary to diagnose them as quickly as possible and begin treatment. This will avoid the progression of arthritis, osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral osteochondrosis.

How to prevent pain and heaviness in your hips

The most reliable and easiest way to prevent pain and heaviness in the hips when carrying a child is planning your pregnancy and carefully preparing for it. You can learn more about this at the antenatal clinic, where they will offer to take tests and undergo the necessary examination. Afterwards, it is recommended to start leading a healthy lifestyle and get rid of bad habits forever.

If this stage is missed, at the first symptoms you should consult a doctor and adhere to the above recommendations. Other ways to prevent hip pain:

Courses for pregnant women. During the classes they teach useful breathing techniques, physical exercises and provide valuable recommendations for improving the quality of life in the “position”.
Sports activities. During pregnancy, you can master various types of physical activity - yoga, dancing, gymnastics, swimming, stretching, aerobics, etc. In the process, blood circulation and the functioning of the musculoskeletal system as a whole are improved, stress levels are reduced and hormonal levels are normalized.

After childbirth, there is a possibility of worsening hip pain. For prevention, it is recommended to continue exercising and taking prescribed vitamins. To control the situation and not allow the problem to worsen, regularly visit a rheumatologist and massage therapist.