Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I forgot...I'm 22 weeks along and have put on about 4 pounds. I don't
    think it is my alignment being thrown off yet!!!
    
    Andrea

    I seem to recall reading about the elevated hormones affecting your
    joints, particularly in the pelvic region.  I know that when I was
    pregnant, my hips ached, but this was well near term, after I'd put on
    40 pounds.  It came as no surprise they ached, everything else did too.
    
    Of course you could call your OB and inquire.  I believe the high
    homonal levels soften the cartiledge that connects many of the pelvic
    and hip joints, in order to make stretching of the pelvic basin
    possible for actual childbirth.
    
    FWIW as an aside, I've heard of cows actually experienceing dislocated
    hips or pelvises as a result of calving, then having them pop back to
    normal soon as it's over.  Curious what those hormones can do, huh?
    

    It may not last all through.  I had severe hip pain in the second
    trimester- so that it was hard to walk or go down stairs.  In the
    middle I had to make a business trip by plane and spent much of my time
    there on my feet!  Ouch.
    
    Mysteriously it suddenly went away in the 8th month.  Now in the 9th
    and feeling pretty comfortable.  Maybe the baby starting to drop helped
    or my body fully adjusted.  Whatever.  Just to reassure you. . .
    

    I think that it's ligament stretching at the stage you are now, Andrea.
    Mine was definitely BETWEEN the hips at that stage - I constantly felt
    like I"d just gotten off a horse. Then it suddenly went away.
    
    best of luck, exercise helps comfort-wise but won't make it go away.
    

    It probably wouldn't hurt to check with your medical person at
    your next checkup to make sure it's not sciatic pain, which can
    sometimes appear to be in the joints or in the bones.  It doesn't
    sound like it, but it can't hurt to mention it. 
    
    We talked about similar pains either here or in V2.  There were a
    bunch of things that sometimes help the pain, including kneeling
    with your arms on the floor to take the baby's weight off the
    pelvis.  I can't find the specific note or remember the details,
    though.  I think warm (not hot) baths were mentioned, too. 
    Anybody else remember?
    
    --bonnie

    I seem to be suffering for the same thing or something similar...
    Just below my lower back and just above my buttocks I have this 
    stiffness/pain when I have been sitting, standing or laying in
    one position for a 1/2 hr or more.  I feel real uncomfortable until
    I move around and get the "kinks" out so to say.  I look like an
    old lady with arthritis while I moan about till it passes ;-).
    It started about a week or two ago...but now in my 27th week it
    seems to happen more often.  I gained about 6 lb in two weeks...I think
    it just might be the extra inches in my belly that is stressing my
    back/hips.  I have found that stretching, walking and taking warm baths
    seems to help!  I think I will mention it to my ob on my next visit
    in a couple of weeks.  I'll let you know what she has to say.
    
    Suzanne

    Yes, I do also have sciatic trouble as well. Been plagued with it since
    about 15 years old. Luckily, it always hits on the same side of my
    hips/back and I know I will feel it if I lie on my back for too long,
    especially if it is on the floor where it may feel damper. The damp
    weather here (England) will also get me so I'm expecting to be
    suffering from it as more damp weather hits. Now, I'm caught between
    the lesser of 2 evils - sleep on my side and have my hip bones aches or
    sleep on my back and suddenly have shooting pain down my right leg. :>(
    
    Sometimes I feel SO old!!!!
    
    Thanks folks,
    Andrea

    Hi Andrea.  One of the pregnancy books I have says that the bones,
    ligaments, and muscles all loosen and stretch during pregnancy to get
    ready to accomodate the baby and for childbirth.  So that's probably
    why you're hip joints hurt.
    
    Try doing some pelvic rocking and pelvic tilts to relieve the pain.
    
    Nancy

    I remember reading that they do loosen and stretch also.  That makes it
    easier for the baby to get out ;-)...it was awful for me in the first
    trimester, I felt I would never make it.  I started swimming (1/4 mile
    3 times a week), and by the end of the second trimester, it was only a
    memory.  The water removed the weight of the belly!  I felt great
    through the third trimester.
    
    Adrienne