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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Hip pain at night - any advice ?

18 replies

Cobbsgirl92 · 05/08/2020 07:12

I’m just over 20 weeks pregnant and suffering with extreme hip pain at night. It wakes me up in tears and I just can’t lay on either side. Sometimes getting up and wandering around helps but last night was the worst it’s been. This morning even sitting hurts. Stretching makes the pain worse.
I asked my doctor but he just dismissed it as ‘one of those things’ that comes with being pregnant.
Is this normal or is there something I can do?
Any advice would be great!
Thank you

OP posts:

NameChange30 · 05/08/2020 07:23

It's probably pelvic girdle pain. There are things you can do. Ask your midwife to refer you for physio - IME NHS physio is rather useless (and they're only offering phone appts where I am) but I believe some areas offer more than others so it's worth pursuing in case they can help. If you can afford it, your best bet is to find a private physio, osteopath or chiropractor with experience of treating pregnant women. Ask around for recommendations. There's also a directory on this website (and they have useful info and advice too): pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

At night I sleep with a pillow between my knees, it doesn't fix the issue (my PGP is bad and I'm in pain every night) but it does help.

MizMoonshine · 05/08/2020 07:48

Pillow fort!
Seriously say goodbye to your partner and pillow up.
Pregnancy pillow between your knees, down the side of your tummy. Have one ready to support your back, try to take as much pressure and weight off as you can.
It absolutely sucks but it will end when the baby comes.

Mc3209 · 05/08/2020 07:55

I second the PP with a pillow fort! Also, I found putting a spare duvet on top of the mattress under the bedsheet helps.

lockdownpregnancy · 05/08/2020 07:59

Pregnancy pillow! I got hip pain really badly when I went to bed and a pregnancy pillow was the best solution for me. I still have days where they hurt in bed but no where near as bad without one!
It helps as an all over support and cuddle pillow too! Worth every penny
I agree with pp, about physio or chiropractor. They will be able to help you a lot if you are seriously struggling. Expensive, for sure, but again worth every penny! 👍🏻

User27aw · 05/08/2020 08:00

I slept on top of a duvet which really helped.

PrayingandHoping · 05/08/2020 08:02

Sleeping on top of a duvet and pillow between knees

TumbleBingQuack · 05/08/2020 08:06

Agree with PP about the pillows, but also try and protect your hips during the day too to prevent overstretching everything. Think knees together as much as possible, and maybe a support belt if you'd be up for giving it a try.

If you can afford a private appt or two I would recommend finding a practitioner in your area that has experience of dealing with PGP - the pelvic girdle partnership website has a list of places you can go. I saw an osteopath and a physio privately for my PGP. The osteo worked best while I was pregnant and the physio worked best afterwards when I still had lingering pain.

Hope you start to feel some relief from some of the suggestions, it really is miserable.

bedjolly · 05/08/2020 08:15

I deal with quite bad hip pain too during the night. I sleep with a pillow inbetween my legs which sort of helps me be comfier. Your mattress could also be a problem, the mattress I sleep on is quite soft meaning it doesn't really support my body I just sort of sink into it. Firm mattresses are definitely better for the body. If it's causing you this amount of pain though you should definitely speak to your midwife. Try and have a hot bath, I get my partner to rub where it hurts which makes me feel better. I hope you feel better soon, pregnancy can be really tough.

Pinkflipflop85 · 05/08/2020 08:22

I had this. Turned out my vitamin d levels were too low and was causing the night time hip pain.

It got so much better once I was on supplements

mrs87 · 05/08/2020 08:41

I suffer really badly as well - now at 35 weeks it's really not good at all. I have a long "caterpillar" style pregnancy pillow which does help, but doesn't get rid - I have to change sides frequently in the night and it takes so long as it's so uncomfortable/painful! But would recommend a pregnancy pillow as it does take the edge off a bit.

I also got stuck in the bath yesterday as my hips completely locked and I couldn't move at all. Luckily my husband was home so he had to come and haul me out of the bath!

The joys!!

Original poster

Cobbsgirl92 · 05/08/2020 08:51

Thank you everyone, it’s nice in a way to know I’m
Not alone- although it’s horrible to hear so many suffer! I will try the pillow between the legs and pillow fort sounds worth a try too!
Can I ask what type of pregnancy pillows people use? I’ve had a look round but find it a bit of a minefield, is it a case of different ones work for different people?
I am thinking of trying the U shape pillow first?
Thank you

OP posts:

WhatWouldPennyDo · 05/08/2020 08:56

I have this, too. Waiting on a physio referral for PGP. In the meantime, I’m doing the exercises the NHS website recommends, have an extra duvet under my bottom sheet, using a Dream Genii pillow, and making sure not to over do it during the day. I also have a bump support belt for walking around (I find is squeezes me a bit too tight when I am working as I’m sitting down) and I’m trying to sit on my ball more often to keep my pelvis tilted down.

Sorry to hear you’re suffering too. It sucks.

mrs87 · 05/08/2020 08:57

@Cobbsgirl92 I have this one:

direct.asda.com/george/baby/baby-feeding/breastfeeding/kinder-body-caterpillow/050297394,default,pd.html

The bit at the end goes between your knees/legs to help your hips and then I find the long length helps to stop me rolling from my side onto my back. If that makes any sense?

PrayingandHoping · 05/08/2020 09:37

The pregnancy pillow helped but the duvet underneath made biggest difference. So try that first

ahorsecalledseptember · 05/08/2020 09:46

This happened to me two weeks ago (I am 22 weeks) and I really sympathise, I was in so much pain!

Sazzy312 · 05/08/2020 12:35

I'm starting to get this, I thought it was due to only lieing on my leg side in bed, but even during the day when sitting is the worst I have to lie on sofa with my feet up to get any comfort, I got a massage ball which has definitely helped, I use it all over my hip and bum, it helps to release the trapped muscle or nerve

wishing3 · 05/08/2020 12:38

I’ve been having this too and was sleeping with pillow between knees. Last two nights had two pillows between and has felt much better-could be coincidence but maybe worth a try!

Newmama29 · 05/08/2020 12:42

I’ve had terrible hip pain for months (I’m now 36weeks). I last spoke to my midwife after doing everything else she had suggested - pillow in between knees, stretches, bump support belt - she told me I could take 2 cocodamol at night or in the morning, the 8/500 ones that you can buy over the counter in the pharmacy. Honestly this has been a godsend!!

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