Many expectant parents notice their hips feel wider or different during pregnancy. This sensation is a common experience, and understanding the physiological shifts involved clarifies what happens to the hip region as pregnancy progresses. The body transforms to accommodate a growing baby and prepare for childbirth.
Understanding Pelvic Changes
The sensation of wider hips during pregnancy is accurate, but the hip bones do not grow in size. Instead, changes occur in the joints and ligaments that connect the bones within the pelvis. Specifically, the sacroiliac joints, located at the back where the sacrum meets the pelvis, and the pubic symphysis, the joint at the front connecting the left and right pubic bones, become more flexible. This increased mobility and widening of these joints is a physiological preparation for childbirth, allowing more space for the baby to pass through the birth canal. This loosening and expansion can lead to a feeling or visible appearance of wider hips.
The Hormonal Influence
The softening and relaxation of pelvic ligaments are driven by hormonal changes during pregnancy. The hormone relaxin plays a significant role, increasing to loosen ligaments and connective tissues throughout the body, including those in the pelvic region. Relaxin levels are highest in the first trimester, around 10 to 12 weeks, and remain elevated throughout pregnancy. This hormonal action ensures the pelvis can expand and accommodate the growing baby and facilitate delivery. Other hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, also contribute to these physiological adaptations, supporting the body’s preparation for childbirth.
Postpartum Body Adjustments
After childbirth, the body gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy state, and hormone levels normalize. Elevated relaxin levels decrease, allowing pelvic ligaments and joints to gradually tighten. This process can take several weeks to months, with many women noticing changes within 6 to 12 months postpartum. While a substantial portion of the widening resolves, some individuals may experience a slight, permanent increase in hip circumference, by 1-2 centimeters. This residual change can be due to lasting ligament relaxation or shifts in posture, and individual experiences vary widely.
Addressing Related Discomfort
Pelvic changes during pregnancy can lead to discomfort. Common issues include pelvic girdle pain (PGP), which encompasses pain in the pubic symphysis (symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD) and sacroiliac joint pain. These conditions manifest as pain in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or pubic area, sometimes radiating to the thighs. Maintaining good posture, using supportive pillows between the knees when sleeping, and avoiding activities that exacerbate pain, such as standing on one leg, can help manage discomfort. Gentle exercises, like those recommended by a physical therapist specializing in prenatal care, can provide relief. Consult a healthcare provider for persistent or severe pain.