Does your hips widen during pregnancy

6 ways your body can change after childbirth

Many pregnant women or new mums wonder after having a baby if and when their body will return to how it was before pregnancy and childbirth.

And the answer is, it’s different for every woman. How you recover will often depend on your birth experience and your pregnancy.

Often there is a lot of emphasis on the first 24 hours after pregnancy, or even the first few weeks, but did you know that you are officially postpartum for two years? Postpartum is the period after you have had a baby.

Growing a baby is hard work for your body—it goes through enormous changes. While many of these changes or symptoms will disappear after you have had your baby, there are some parts of your body that may take longer to heal, or may stay changed.

Your pelvic floor

Whether you’ve had a vaginal or a caesarean birth it’s important to look after your pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles support your pelvic organs, including your uterus, bladder, and bowel.

During pregnancy, additional strain from the weight of the baby is put on these muscles, and during a vaginal birth they can sometimes be damaged or stretched. This means you might find yourself leaking when you sneeze, cough, or laugh.

Your pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened and you should focus on strengthening these muscles after pregnancy. A physiotherapist will be able to give you the right exercises post pregnancy. These exercises will help you to develop the muscles so you should be able to get back to your normal exercise routine without any bladder leakages.

Your breasts

Chances are your breasts grew during pregnancy, and if you’re breastfeeding, your breasts will shrink and grow with each feed. Your breasts don’t contain any muscle, however they are attached via ligaments to the muscles of your chest wall. These ligaments stretch during pregnancy and don’t tighten again. This means that your breasts will droop, and they may never be the same shape they were before you were pregnant.

Once you stop breastfeeding, the milk-producing tissue will be replaced by fatty tissue. This can take 6 months or so, but before this happens, they can feel quite empty.

It’s best that you support your breast with a comfortable, well-fitted bra.

Your skin

If you developed stretch marks during pregnancy, these will begin to fade. Over time they will become smaller and will turn white or silver. Once stretch marks have appeared there is no reliable evidence to show that oils or creams will remove them.

Some women may have developed dark patches on the face during pregnancy, known as chloasma. These will usually fade over several months after giving birth, though for some women they can last several years.

If you developed skin tags during your pregnancy, they will most likely disappear or drop off in the months following birth. If not, your GP or dermatologist can easily remove them by scalpel, or by freezing or burning them off.

Your body

Your body may have become wider during pregnancy. This is because it was making room for your growing baby. Your ribs may have expanded, and your hips will often widen to make it easier for the baby to exit the birth canal. For some women wider ribs and hips will be permanent.

As your baby grows during pregnancy you will gain weight. This helps to support your baby before and after birth. Once you have delivered your baby, it’s safest for you to take it slow when trying to lose weight. Weight loss normally happens gradually after birth. If it’s your goal to return to your pre-pregnancy weight, remember it can take several months, or longer. Healthy eating and gentle exercise can help lose the weight, but it’s important to remember you won’t change overnight.

Your hair

During pregnancy your hair can sometimes become thicker. This is due to the increase in the hormone oestrogen. After birth, your oestrogen levels will return to normal and your hair growth will also begin to normalise. Sometimes this can mean your hair will fall out in the months following birth. Don’t worry—this is normal and only temporary. You may notice that after your hair has fallen out it will start to regrow, resulting in postpartum bangs or flyaways.

Your shoe size

There are two main reasons your shoe size can increase during pregnancy, weight gain, and your hormones. Extra weight can flatten out your foot arch and your shoe size might increase. You may have heard of the hormone relaxin. This hormone helps to relax your ligaments and bones in your pelvis, so that you are prepared for childbirth. It also relaxes all your joints and ligaments, including in your feet. This may cause your feet to flatten and spread out and increase your shoe size.

These changes to your feet are permanent so it’s important that you find shoes that fit correctly after pregnancy.

For more information

Pregnancy Birth & Baby
Raising Children
6 weird things that may happen to your body during pregnancy
How much weight will I gain in pregnancy?

When Do Hips Widen During Pregnancy?

Contents

1 Do Hips Become Wider During Pregnancy?
- 1. 1 Will My Hips Return to Their Pre-Pregnancy Size?
2 Why Do My Hips Widen When I’m Pregnant?
3 What Can Cause Hip Pain During My Pregnancy?
- 3.1 What is Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction?
- 3.2 What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?
- 3.3 What is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?
4 What Does it Mean to Have Childbearing Hips?
- 4.1 What is a Gynecoid Pelvis?
- 4.2 What is an Anthropoid Pelvis?
- 4.3 What is an Android Pelvis?
- 4.4 What is a Platypelloid Pelvis?
5 Why Do Childbearing Hips Allow an Easier Delivery?
6 How Can I Treat Hip Pain?
- 6.1 When is Medical Intervention Necessary?
- 6.2 Use Soothing Warm Compresses
- 6.3 Pregnancy or Pelvic Belts
- 6.4 Choose a Supportive Sleeping Position
- 6.5 Physical Therapy
7 Hip-Opening Exercises to Practice During Pregnancy
- 7.1 Open Your Pelvis With Squats/Garland Pose
- 7.2 Hip Flexor Stretch
- 7. 3 Pigeon
- 7.4 Figure 4
- 7.5 Seated Straddle
8 FAQ
- 8.1 Will my hips widen during pregnancy?
- 8.2 What trimester do hips widen?
- 8.3 Will hips go back after pregnancy?
- 8.4 Does it hurt when your hips widen during pregnancy?
- 8.5 Do your hips widen if you have a C-section?
- 8.6 How to shrink hips after pregnancy?

During pregnancy, hips start to widen after the 10th or 12th week. This is around the time when the hormone, relaxin, is released to loosen pelvic ligament fibers and widen the cervix. This helps prepare a woman’s body for the growing fetus and facilitates an easier birth.

The hips widen at about the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy. This is the answer to a common question asked by expecting mothers. It is around this time that the body releases a hormone called relaxin, which is designed to loosen pelvic ligament fibers and widen the cervix. A woman’s hips are normally wider than a man’s to facilitate the passing of a newborn through the birthing canal. The widening of the hips is one of the most notable changes a pregnant woman will see throughout her pregnancy.

Do Hips Become Wider During Pregnancy?

Yes, but given that every woman is built differently, there isn’t a general guideline that applies to everyone. However, most women experience similar markers during pregnancy as their hips widen.

Will My Hips Return to Their Pre-Pregnancy Size?

Since it took a whole nine months to transform the body in preparation for birth, it usually takes about 6 to 12 months to see it fully return to its normal size.

Why Do My Hips Widen When I’m Pregnant?

Your hips widen during pregnancy to prepare the body for the growing fetus and birth. As the fetus grows and a woman starts to carry a heavier load, the widening of the hips helps shift her center of gravity. This change provides a stable base that supports the weight gain and the new form the body adopts.

In addition, wider hips also allow the uterus to expand and the pelvic muscles to accommodate the passage of the fetus during birth. The bottom line is that wider hips make carrying and giving birth to a baby easier.

What Can Cause Hip Pain During My Pregnancy?

The main reason why women may experience hip pain during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters is the release of relaxin. This hormone is secreted after a woman ovulates as she prepares for a potential pregnancy. When she becomes pregnant, the levels of relaxin continue to rise.

Because relaxin loosens connective tissues in the hip joints, the increased flexibility makes the muscles overcompensate as the connective tissues adapt to the maximized range of motion. Joint tissues and surrounding muscles are overexerted and wear out causing pain.

What is Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction?

The pubic symphysis is the anatomical term for the joint between the right and left pelvic bones. Symphysis pubis dysfunction is made up of a group of symptoms a pregnant woman experiences as the pubic symphysis increases its range of motion.

Symptoms may manifest from mild discomfort to shooting pain. Pain varies depending on how weight is distributed and the way a woman moves her body. Commonly, most women experience an increase in the level of pain until it is time for delivery.

What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

Some pregnant women can experience sacroiliac joint pain, which is characterized by discomfort in the lower back and buttocks. In some cases, the pain can also be felt in the thighs and legs.

The sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum to the pelvis. Again, the relaxin hormone is the main reason why pregnant women may experience this condition. There are various ways in which a woman can alleviate this type of pain including wearing a maternity support belt and doing physical therapy.

What is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?

Not all pregnant women experience pelvic girdle pain. Those that do experience a group of symptoms that are caused by the stiffening of pelvic joints. A waddling gait or difficulty walking is one of the characteristics of PGP. Symptoms are more likely to be felt during straddle movements such as getting in and out of the bathtub.

What Does it Mean to Have Childbearing Hips?

Simply put, childbearing hips describe a woman’s pelvic structure that is characterized by wide hips. It is an expression used to describe the hips of women who have wider or larger hips than most. Women vary greatly in shape and size, thus not all women may have childbearing hips.

What is a Gynecoid Pelvis?

The gynecoid pelvis is used to characterize the hip area of a man or a woman that features a feminine shape. The bone structure is wider, more delicate, and lower compared to a masculine pelvis.

It also displays a wider and more round angle of the pubic arch as women usually have. A gynecoid-shaped pelvis is considered to be the most beneficial for delivering a baby.

What is an Anthropoid Pelvis?

A deep and narrow pelvis is classified as an anthropoid type because it is oval. This elongated form allows for more room from front to back. However, because it is narrower than the gynecoid type pelvis, it may make labor lengthier.

What is an Android Pelvis?

A pelvis that is android in shape looks like a male pelvis. The shape is like a wedge or heart and it is much narrower than a gynecoid type pelvis. Because of its narrow shape, labor is very difficult and slows down the baby’s passage through the birth canal. A longer delivery can trigger the need for a C-section.

What is a Platypelloid Pelvis?

Also known as a flat pelvis, a platypelloid pelvis is found to be the least common type. It is oval like the anthropoid type pelvis, but shallow. This shape makes vaginal birth challenging and may trigger the need for a C-section as the baby has difficulty passing through the birth canal.

Why Do Childbearing Hips Allow an Easier Delivery?

Wider hips make it easier for the pelvic joints to expand as a baby passes through the birth canal. Childbearing hips are more round, open, and wide – all of which give a baby plenty of room during labor.

How Can I Treat Hip Pain?

You may attempt to alleviate hip pain with the following therapies:

Exercises
Acupuncture
Warm Baths and Compresses
Chiropractic care
Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

When is Medical Intervention Necessary?

If basic remedies don’t alleviate hip pain and it starts to disturb your daily activities, it’s best to see your physician. Your OB/GYN will provide you with effective therapies while maintaining a safe pregnancy.

Use Soothing Warm Compresses

Warm compresses are a great way to relieve hip pain during pregnancy. Apply warmth to the hip joints to increase blood flow and relax muscles. You may use a heating pad or hot water bottle to soothe muscle spasms.

Pregnancy or Pelvic Belts

Pregnancy or pelvic belts help relieve hip, back, and abdominal pain during pregnancy. They offer support by wrapping around your back and hips providing much-needed compression. The belt allows pressure to be distributed evenly and supports the joints while also providing support to the growing abdomen.

Choose a Supportive Sleeping Position

During pregnancy, you may find yourself having fewer choices for sleeping positions. Although side sleeping may be your favorite position during pregnancy, it contributes to hip pain. To alleviate pressure on your hips while side sleeping, place pillows between your knees to provide alignment and support.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapy regimen can be started even before you become pregnant. By the 2nd trimester, hip pain becomes common and you should certainly make physical therapy part of your daily care.

Hip-Opening Exercises to Practice During Pregnancy

Practicing exercises that help to open your hips during pregnancy will allow you to enjoy your delivery much more. The following exercises will help you achieve more flexibility, reduce achy muscles and joints, help you relax, and prepare you for childbirth.

Open Your Pelvis With Squats/Garland Pose

Squats will make your thighs stronger and will open your pelvic area to prepare you for delivery. Some health experts suggest doing approximately 300 squats daily to deliver your baby quickly. When you perform squats, be sure your ankles, knees, and hips are squared and aligned while making sure your knees don’t go past your feet as you bend them.

Hip Flexor Stretch

As you stretch your hip flexors, be sure to support with a towel under your knee while keeping your spine erect. Repeat stretch at least three times and hold it for 30 seconds.

Pigeon

The pigeon pose will open your hips as the hip flexors and lower back are stretched. It will help you increase flexibility and mobility.

Figure 4

While laying on your back, the figure 4 exercise will give you a deep stretch of your hips and buttocks.

Seated Straddle

The seated straddle position provides a big stretch to your hips, legs, shoulders, and arms.

FAQ

Will my hips widen during pregnancy?

Yes, the hips certainly become wider as the pregnancy progresses.

What trimester do hips widen?

Hips start to widen at the 2nd trimester and continue to widen into the 3rd trimester.

Will hips go back after pregnancy?

After giving birth, most women will start to see their hips return to their pre-pregnancy size after approximately 12 weeks and will continue to transform in the next 6-12 months.

Does it hurt when your hips widen during pregnancy?

Yes, however, relieving your body from hip pain during pregnancy can be achieved by consistent exercise and other therapies.

Do your hips widen if you have a C-section?

Hips widen during pregnancy regardless whether you have a C-section or natural birth.

How to shrink hips after pregnancy?

A series of exercises along with nutritious diet will aid in shrinking your hips after pregnancy.

← When Should I Stop Wearing Tight Jeans During Pregnancy? How Often Should I Go to the Chiropractor While Pregnant? →

Scientists told how the shape of the female pelvis changes during life

US advocates for IOC to maintain ban on Russian flag and anthem 22:03

Scholz said he supports diplomacy in resolving the Ukrainian conflict 22:01

For the first time, the US authorities released a "valuable prisoner" of the prison in Guantanamo Majida . .. 22:00

Dynamo midfielder Ngamale admired the Moscow metro 21:58

Sports Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland opposed the participation of Russia... 21:57

Nigmatullin invited Kokorin to enter the university after the words about the prison 21:46

Furgal reacted emotionally to the jury's verdict in the courtroom 21:43

RIA Novosti: Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed harsh reaction to the ambassadors of the United States, Germany, France and Italy 21:42

Spartak beat Rostov in the RPL Winter Cup match 21:40

Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: Kyiv is seeking the supply of missiles with a range of up to 300 km 21:32

April 26, 2016, 19:16 Science

100%

At the optimal age for the birth of a child, the structure of the female pelvis may change somewhat, scientists have found. Is there a solution to the "obstetric dilemma" and when the female body is most prepared for procreation, says the science department of Gazeta.Ru.

No matter how much scientists struggle to study nature, constantly improving their methods, it still remains the biggest mystery. Researchers still do not cease to be amazed at how everything is thought out and organized in the living world. nine0003

Jealousy is a reason for a medical examination

A 43-year-old Turkish woman unreasonably began to be jealous of her faithful husband, with whom she was married 20...

April 25 11:10

Anthropologists and biologists from Switzerland and Belgium, in a collaborative study, have found evidence that the shape and size of a woman's pelvis can change to adapt to having offspring. Research progress and data analysis published in the latest edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. nine0003

The structure of the human pelvis is classified as sexually dimorphic, that is, it distinguishes males and females from each other. As a rule, the hips of women are wider and more rounded than those of men.

Studying the structure of the female skeleton, scientists put forward the hypothesis of the so-called obstetric dilemma. On the one hand, the female pelvis should be relatively wide in order to facilitate the birth of babies, which, when properly positioned in the womb, go head first. On the other hand, a narrow pelvis makes it easier for a person to walk upright. Recently, this hypothesis has been challenged on the basis of biomechanical and biocultural parameters, as well as metabolic processes. However, until the emergence of recent studies by Swiss and Belgian scientists, it remained unclear which factors are responsible for the differences in the shape and size of the pelvis in adult men and women. nine0003

Weekends are not for childbirth

Tuesday is the most favorable day for the birth of a child, but on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday babies ...

November 26 14:28

Starting their scientific work, the researchers put forward the following assumption: during the course of life, the structure of the pelvis in women specially changes, facilitating the birth of children. To test their own hypothesis, a group of scientists invited 275 women of different ages up to 95 years to participate in the research. The authors of the work used the methods of computed tomography, and also engaged in geometric morphometry, that is, they analyzed the ratio of the sizes and shapes of the parts of the pelvis. The obtained data were compared with the already available data on the structure of the pelvis in men. nine0003

The results obtained showed that before the onset of puberty, the structure of the pelvis in boys and girls practically does not differ, and all changes proceed in the same way.

With the onset of active sexual development, which in some girls occurs already at the age of 10 years, the change in the shape and size of the female pelvis occurs according to its own unique laws.

The processes that prepare the female body for the birth of children are completed by about 25 years. Scientists note that the period when differences in the structure of the pelvis in women and men are most noticeable coincides with the peak of fertility. According to the researchers, in women this age occurs on average from 25 to 30 years. Biologists have noticed a curious feature: at the age of 40 to 45 years, the structure of the female pelvis continues to develop, but the changes again proceed by analogy with men. Transformations lead to a reduction in the size of the birth canal (the birth canal is a canal formed by the bones of the small pelvis and soft tissues located in it, through which the fetus and placenta pass during childbirth). nine0003

Swiss and Belgian scientists suggest that all changes in the shape and size of the female pelvis, depending on age, may be associated with the production of hormones during puberty and before menopause. According to biologists, estradiol, which is part of the group of female sex hormones - estrogen, takes the most active part. It depends on him how rounded the outlines of the female figure will be. Often, estradiol is called the "hormone of pregnancy", as it regulates blood circulation in the pelvic cavity, directs the increase in the size of the uterus, and is also responsible for the formation of the placenta. nine0003

Subscribe to Gazeta.Ru in News, Zen and Telegram.
To report a bug, select the text and press Ctrl+Enter

News

Zen

Picture of the day

Military operation in Ukraine. Day 344

Online broadcast of the special military operation in Ukraine — Day 344