Why do I get hip pain during pregnancy?

Hip and pelvic pain in pregnancy is one of the most common complaints of the second and third trimesters, and it has mechanical logic. The hormone relaxin loosens the ligaments of your pelvis so it can expand for birth - looser joints mean less stability and more strain. Your growing belly shifts your center of gravity forward, changing how hips and lower back carry load. Side sleeping presses directly on hip joints that are already lax, and the added weight multiplies everything. The NHS describes this pelvic girdle pain as common and usually manageable, ranging from mild aching around the hips, groin, and back to pain that limits walking. What helps: a pillow between the knees and ankles when side sleeping - keeping hips level; avoid standing on one leg, stairs one-at-a-time when it hurts, and heavy bags on one shoulder; pelvic tilts and gentle prenatal exercise; warmth on achy spots; and supportive shoes. A maternity support belt genuinely offloads the pelvis for many women. If pain limits walking or sleep, ask for a physiotherapy referral - targeted exercises work well. When to call your provider: hip or pelvic pain with vaginal bleeding, pain with fever, severe sudden pelvic pain, pain with regular contractions before 37 weeks, or numbness down the leg - those need assessment, not home management. New inability to bear weight matters too. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text. Describe where it hurts and how far along you are, and it can help you manage or escalate.