Some of you may remember me from the fertility network forum but this is my first time posting here as I can finally (and excitedly!) say I’m currently 13 weeks pregnant with twins 😍
A couple of weeks ago I suddenly had a really sore hip which came on in the night and I just couldn’t get comfortable so couldn’t sleep at all. It feels muscular and kind of like a dead leg! It lasted a few days then just disappeared but came back again last night.
Has anyone had anything similar? Any tips on how to relieve it?! it’s unbearable at the time although eases during the day when I’m moving around more.
Thanks
Sarah x
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Franco81
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What part of your hip is it? Does it feel deep inside or more outer hip? I’d recommend popping a thin pillow or cushion under your waist, on the side you’re lying on, this will prop up your spine into alignment. There’s lots more pressure on lower back and spine and hips during pregnancy. If you give me a bit more detail about where exactly the pain is I’ll recommend some stretches that might help (I’m a PiLates teacher). xx
Oh wow that’s amazing thank you. I used to do Pilates (until I moved house a year or so ago) and loved it so I’m well up for trying some moves!
It’s only my left hip and feels deep inside, about an inch lower than my hip bone and not directly on the side but slightly towards the back, only slightly. It’s not really obvious exactly where it is but I hope that helps! It feels much better when I’m led directly on it but if I try and move that leg, sleep on my right hand side or back (I know I shouldn’t be doing that anyway but it’s a hard habit to break!) it’s really painful.
I’ll try the pillow under my waist too, I’ve only put one in between my legs but that didn’t help!
It’s most likely your psoas, try this stretching sequence from Yoga with Adrian (she’s fab) youtu.be/JsE4csvlUfA should help.
You’ve still got time to enjoy lying on your back, it’s from 20 weeks that you’ve to avoid (not sure if it’s different with twins?), but even then my midwife said it’s fine for 10 mins or so. I find back pain relief from laying on my back so I’m missing it (I’m 22 weeks).
Yep, keep the one between your legs and then add one under your waist
Oh and get yourself a pregnancy massage to help it.
This is great advice, thank you so much. I found a slightly more comfortable position last night with a normal pillow between my legs so hopefully I’ll get used to all these body changes soon! Xx
I think the time has come for you too get a pregnancy pillow, it helped me when my hips started too hurt. Also a maternity bump belt, really helped me. x
I've had hip pain that sounds similar to this every night since about 10 weeks (I'm now 14 weeks). It's both hips and only hurts when I lie on my side to sleep. I'm waking up 3 or 4 times a night with it, have tried 2 different pregnancy pillows and they both made it worse so I sent them back!
I was wondering about a bump belt, so let me know if that works for you! Sorry I don't have any advice, just jumping on the bandwagon to see what suggestions people have!
It sounds like it could be pelvic girdle pain. Time to invest in some extra pillows. Sleep with one between your legs. Your gp or midwife will be able to refer you to physio xx
Thank you, I thought I’d mention it to my midwife at our appointment next week so maybe she’ll refer me then. Was thinking of starting pregnancy yoga too x
Oh dear, sounds like it was quite bad for you. I imagine how debilitating it could be though as during the night when I get up to use the toilet I can barely walk sometimes. Thankfully it eases during the day at the moment but it’s still early days for us!
Did it disappear as soon as you gave birth? Or do you still get any problems now? X
I’m 20 weeks pregnant with IVF twins and started with this around the same time as you. It comes and goes in the hips but really affects my sleep, I’ve not slept through for weeks now. If it’s not the hips it’s in the groin and alternates from one side to the other. I spoke to the midwife today and she confirmed it’s pelvic girdle pain as Tugsgirl said earlier - she said it starts earlier with twins as it’s caused by a hormone (relaxin) secreted by the placenta and with twins there’s often 2 placentas. There’s advice about it online, such as keeping legs together when getting out of bed etc. A friend of mine recommended a mattress topper and v shaped pillow. I’ve tried a couple of pillows but no relief yet, going to try the topper next or a folded duvet. She did also say she had to sleep propped up at the end so I think it’s just one of those things we have to deal with but I’m surprised how painful it is! When it progresses I think they might refer to physio. Hope it gets better soon for you and congratulations x
Thank you so much for this, it’s nice to understand it and know it’s relatively normal even if it is painful!
Our stories sound very similar although I’m a few months behind you and still just waiting for our screening results from our first NHS scan 🤞🏻. Have you had your 20 week scan yet?
I’m going to give those pillows a go and a belt and talk to my midwife about the hip pain but at the moment I’m still just so grateful to be here I’m sure we’ll cope with anything!
Our stories are similar! Just had the 20 week scan, I get very anxious and grumpy leading up to the scans. It’s one every 4 weeks from now on so that’s not going to work very well! It seems vitamins and supplement recommendations vary depending on your hospital. I’m taking 5mg folic acid and a high dose of vitamin D as recommended and occasionally an omega 3 capsule (when I can stomach it). I think when it’s an IVF pregnancy you are even more worried. Is your next scan the 20 week one? Xx
Ah I know what you mean. I’ve been determined to try and enjoy being pregnant which I’ve been ok at until a scan is approaching then I get really nervous again and can’t sleep! I’m not sure they worry will ever stop!
My clinic told me to stop folic acid at 13 weeks (I too had been on 5mg) and I’m just on aspirin and my normal pregnancy multi vitamin now. I hope that’s ok and am just trying to trust them!
And yes we have our 20 week scan in roughly six weeks time but I’m considering paying for a private one in between! We’ve done enough waiting for months at a time!! Nice we then get one every four weeks though isn’t it. I hope you manage to relax and enjoy them as you get further along xx
It was the midwife and NHS consultant who told me to continue 5mg folic acid, I get it from the hospital or by repeat prescription at the GP. Everywhere is different though, where are you based? We did a private scan at 16 weeks and it was worth it x
Oh! Our midwife told us to stop. She also prescribed the aspirin which she told me to start when the folic acid stopped at 13 weeks! Strange there’s such different advice! Is yours to carry on throughout your whole pregnancy?
Yes, it will be throughout. I’m in Manchester. My aspirin dose is 150, some take 75 but they now say there is new evidence to suggest 150 is better. It’s different everywhere!
Hi I'm suffering with this too and finally splashed out on a pregnancy pillow. Although I was using a standard one between my knees it has definitely made a difference having the supports to front and back. I was also prescribed extra calcium and vitamin d tablets.
Hiya, I'm 24 weeks with my second and this is the story of my life with both pregnancies. With the first I had to go to physio and with this one I even had sciatica in my left buttock that was unbearable. I don't know if there is much you can do apart from perhaps alot of stretching exercises and using one of those exercise rolling pins.
Hi lovely, yes I have exactly the same deep muscle pain on both hips which eases off through the day. I generally sleep with a pillow between my legs for comfort anyway but I’m not used to sleeping on my side. The best thing I’ve found that works under my hips at night is a feather normal pillow. It almost forms around your shape rather than normal pillow stuffing which I found uncomfortable. It really has improved for me, although some nights I still get it but not as bad! Xxx
Thanks for the advice. I did manage to find a more comfortable position last night with a normal pillow between my legs so hopefully I’ll get into the routine of it!
Is yours continuous now then? Mine still comes and goes but we are still quite early on really and wonder if it’s going to worsen as time goes on x
Glad you managed to get some relief. Yes mine is pretty much continuous. I’m 19+ weeks now and have it most days. I also bring a hot water bottle to work and put it on either hip that hurts as that tends to help. I didn’t even know hip pain was a pregnancy thing 😆 there’s lots of new wonders around the corner! X
Oh a hot water bottle sounds like a great idea! I’d forgotten about those!
It’s amazing what our bodies do in pregnancy isn’t it, I had no idea about half the side effects either! I’ll take any of this over period pain any day though! X
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