Hip and hip pain are the most common types of these pains. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), approximately one in five pregnant women experience pelvic pain during pregnancy. This pain may start in the groin area and extend to the lower abdomen, stomach and/or perineum. In other words, this pain is not localized and can cause problems in a person's style. Hot shower, not wearing high heels, doing light sports, massages during pregnancy, Mayan belly massage, acupuncture are some of the effective home remedies to treat pelvic pain during pregnancy. Pelvic pain mainly occurs due to the increased pressure of the uterus and its stretching and expansion to accommodate the fetus. Mild pelvic pain is common during pregnancy, but cases of severe pain definitely need to be investigated. What happens to the pelvis during pregnancy? During childbirth, the baby must pass through the birth canal in the pelvis. The release of a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy softens the ligaments of the pelvis so that the ligaments can be stretched more easily and the baby can move out easily. For this reason, the hip joint moves more during pregnancy and after childbirth. Relaxin is secreted in both pregnant and non-pregnant women, but its secretion increases during pregnancy and its increase will continue during the first trimester of pregnancy. After the continuous increase of this hormone in the early stage of pregnancy, the secretion of relaxin increases again in the final weeks. Sometimes hormonal influences loosen the connection of bones and ligaments and lead to a 9 mm gap between the pelvic bones. This complication is called diastasis symphysis pubis (DSP). However, DSP in pregnancy is not necessarily the cause of pain around the hip joints. Muscles and nerves can adapt to the greater flexibility of the pelvic girdle. As a result, the mother's body adapts well to the changes that occur as the baby grows inside the womb. Causes of pelvic pain during pregnancy Usually, a set of factors cause pain in the pelvic girdle during pregnancy. The following are some of them: - Changes in the way the muscles work to support the pelvic girdle - Uneven movements of joints in the pelvis - One of the joints not working well causes stress in other joints of the pelvic girdle In general, the pelvis is in a fixed or locked position when walking, sitting, standing or lying down. During pregnancy, one has to do these activities with an open or less stable pelvis and this is what causes pain. This leads to swelling of the joints, which is the main cause of pain around the hip joints. More than half of pregnant women suffer from pelvic girdle pain or back pain. Although pelvic girdle pain is common during pregnancy, it should not be considered normal. Do not ignore this pain and talk to your doctor about it. Pain may worsen if left untreated. ### Who is more likely to have pelvic pain during pregnancy? During pregnancy, there is usually a slight discomfort in the pelvic area, mostly because the growing baby takes up a lot of space. Having a disease such as endometriosis or fibroids will probably aggravate pelvic pain during pregnancy. ### Is walking effective for improving pelvic pain during pregnancy? Staying active during pregnancy is very beneficial for both the fetus and the mother. Including exercise in the daily schedule in every trimester of pregnancy helps to improve the quality of sleep, maintain proper blood circulation, improve physical condition, secrete endorphins, create a good feeling, maintain proper weight, reduce the possibility of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, and create more suitable conditions for the development of the fetus. Routine exercise is also useful for preparing the muscles for childbirth and preventing or reducing common back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends getting 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, or more than 30 minutes a few days a week, unless there is a health or pregnancy problem. Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Treatment of pelvic pain in early pregnancy Certain disorders can be treated, such as the following: - **Ectopic pregnancy:** Medication is prescribed to stop the growth of an ectopic pregnancy or surgery is performed to remove it. **Abortion:** Prescribing painkillers or performing dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove pregnancy tissue. - **Septic abortion or infectious abortion (infection of the female genital tract during abortion, shortly before or after abortion):** Intravenous injection of antibiotics and dilation of the cervix and curettage to remove the contents of the uterus as quickly as possible - **Adnexal torsion (twisted ovary or fallopian tube):** Surgery to open (if possible) the torsion or remove the ovary or fallopian tube If pain relief is needed, acetaminophen is the safest drug for pregnant women, but if it is not effective, opioids may be necessary. Pelvic pain treatment during pregnancy If you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy, tell your doctor. Treatment options will be very different depending on the underlying diseases of each person. But probably lifestyle changes, drugs or surgery should be made. During pregnancy, problems such as mild tingling in the lower abdomen or pelvic area are unlikely to be serious. However, sharp or chronic pelvic pain, especially when accompanied by spotting or bleeding, is a sign of pregnancy complications and requires immediate medical attention. Pain caused by normal changes during pregnancy To prevent some types of pain during pregnancy or reduce them, the following are recommended to women: - Having a fitness program with exercises that are safe to do during pregnancy Avoid lifting or pushing heavy loads - Maintaining proper posture - Placing a pillow between the knees while sleeping - Rest if needed - Wearing stretchy clothes that support the back or stomach - Refer to a physiotherapist specializing in pregnancy - Try acupuncture Home remedies to prevent pelvic pain during pregnancy Being familiar with pain relief treatments and solutions will be useful for you if you experience severe pelvic pain during pregnancy. Following are some simple home remedies for pelvic pain during pregnancy: ### Avoid wearing high heels Wearing high heels puts a lot of pressure on the hips and legs. Therefore, if you suffer from hip pain, it is better to avoid wearing high heels. ### Put your body in a comfortable position while sleeping Placing a few cushions and soft pillows between the back and legs will help relieve the pain. Sleeping in a comfortable position helps maintain proper posture and prevent pelvic pain during pregnancy. ### Hot water shower Hot water works wonders for body aches. To relieve pelvic pain, you should try this effective and natural remedy and take a warm bath at least twice a day. Hot water helps relieve pain and relax muscles that are stretched during pregnancy. After bathing with warm water, your pain will decrease and you will be more refreshed and you can resume your daily activities better. Read more: Physiotherapy recommendations for mothers after pregnancy ### Do not carry heavy loads Lifting heavy objects at home puts pressure on the abdomen and pelvis. Abdominal and pelvic muscles are strongly stressed. Therefore, it is recommended not to carry heavy objects during pregnancy. This simple advice for pregnancy can prevent pain during this period. ### Do light exercises The cause of pain in tissues and muscles is usually lack of movement. Since the growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic muscles, it is important to reduce the pressure on these muscles. These muscles can be relaxed by doing gentle exercises. Simple exercises such as walking, stretching and meditation make the muscles loose and flexible. It also reduces hip pain and relaxes the body. By trying light sports, you will see amazing results. ### Massages during pregnancy Prenatal massage is highly recommended for pregnant women. If you have frequent pelvic pain, try pregnancy massages. Massages during pregnancy are useful for reducing stress and reducing pelvic pain. ### Mayan belly massage This particular type of massage is performed around the target area in the abdomen and pelvis. Mayan abdominal massage relieves pain by relaxing stretched and painful muscles. After trying this natural remedy you will experience its effective results. ### Physiotherapy and acupuncture Acupuncture and physical therapy during pregnancy are age-old treatments for pelvic pain relief. These treatments specifically target areas of pain to reduce pain. These treatment methods have been very effective for many pregnant women. Therefore, if you suffer from pelvic pain during pregnancy, choose one of these treatments and check its effect on reducing the pain. ### Relaxation techniques Relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga work wonders for body aches. Their effect on hip pain is also the same. Meditation and yoga improve blood circulation and reduce pain. Read more: Pelvic pain treatment in Shiraz ### Wear supportive clothing in the hip area There are several pelvic belts on the market that have been proven effective in reducing pelvic pain. These belts keep the abdomen, pelvis and back in a proper position and help relax the pelvic muscles. This wonderful treatment can relieve you of pelvic pain. ### Housing The last thing, which is certainly not less important than the others, is painkillers. If the pain is severe, try some over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen for immediate pain relief. However, consult your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy. Most women suffer from pelvic pain. But the good news is that there are treatments for immediate relief from this excruciating pain. By following some simple relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes, you can reduce your pain. These simple yet effective treatments help a lot in relieving hip pain. In this way, you can enjoy your pregnancy without pain or stress. Dr. Zohra Eshghi, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation in Shiraz, providing treatment services for skeletal and muscular diseases in Shiraz, to receive an appointment for examination, diagnosis and treatment, contact us and the office using the information on the contact page.