For those of you with hip pain ...

I had horrible hip pain every night while I was "sleeping" (or not sleeping, as was the case!). I had been using a j-shaped body pillow and had the "j" placed between my knees, which I thought was the right way to do it. I went in for a massage, a few weeks ago, and the masseuse told me to NOT put it between my knees but to keep the bottom leg straight and to drape the top leg over the pillow (or bolster or a rolled up blanket would be ever better since they don't squish down like a pillow does), keeping the hip-to-knee part of your leg as extended as possible -- kind of hard to explain, but if you're lying down on your side, hopefully it'll make sense! So if you're lying on your left side, your left leg would be straight with the pillow/bolster next to it, and your right leg would be draped over it -- for me, I actually drape it so far that my knee rests on the bed, and that's what gives me that stretch.

Ever since I started doing this, I have not had ONE NIGHT of pain! I think the massage probably helped too, but I really think that sleeping in the proper position is a HUGE help too! So I hope that this makes sense and that it helps any of you with similar pain to what I had! If it doesn't, then I totally recommend going in for a massage (I had shiatsu) -- the earlier the better! I so wish I had done mine when my pain first started -- I could've saved myself months of pain!

 

I'm glad you found some relief! I had to sleep like the Elephant Man for months propped up on pillows; but it in the end it was the reflux, not the hip pain that was killing me.

yOu're doing great!

 

Thanks! I am trying this tonight!

 

I don't have that pillow but I do have a body pillow. I've been having excruciating hip/pelvic pain. I have noticed that it's at least bearable if I put the pillow down towards the bottom of my legs instead of right at my knee. It seems to kink my back worse if I prop my knee all the way on the pillow. It hasn't helped the pain go away, but helps while I'm laying there.

I'm currently waiting for the physical therapist to call me to set up my first appt with them.

 

I still get the pelvic pain, but changing my sleeping position definitely helped with the hip pain! The pelvic pain (or at least my pelvic pain) is ligament stretching, and unfortunately I don't think anything helps with that -- that is still super-painful when I roll over in bed. But the hip pain I think was just from improper alignment and putting pressure on nerves. That's my take on it at least (but what do I know?)!

Actually my massage guy said that rolling over in bed on all fours rather than on your back may be less painful in the pelvic area, but it's just too awkward for me to do that. Also, he suggested leaning your back against one of those big exercise balls on the wall and squatting a little -- that's supposed to strengthen the core and could make things feel a little better. I haven't tried that yet though.

Hope you guys both get some relief soon!

 

Thanks so much! I'm trying this tonight, too!!!

 

OMG...I am so glad you mention this. I was doing the same thing as you and couldn't understand why I was still having hip pain. I'm trying it tonight Thanks for the tip!

 

OOOOoooooooh I can't WAIT to try this - my hips are KILLING ME! Thanks a million!

 

OMG! Thanks so much for posting this! I actually got 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night! No constant flipping back and forth. Yippee!

Allison

 

Oh, I'm SO happy that you guys are finding relief from this too!! I should send the massage therapist a bouquet of flowers from us twins moms-to-be!

I do think that the massage really helped too. I walked out of there feeling normal -- looser, less pelvic pain -- so even though it was temporary, it was a great feeling! I'm definitely going to splurge and get one more next week, I think. I think all pregnant women deserve some type of reward to make them feel better!

 

Hi I will try that but I think my discomfort at night is due to them kicking on which ever side I happen to be lying and if I change sides they seem to change sides just to annoy me. I might also try bathing in lavender in a vain attempt to settle them for the night lol. It might settle them down or make me so tired I don't notice the discomfort. lol.

 

i have found the same thing! my massage therapist also reco'd sleeping that way.

btw, i also HIGHLY recommend a good pregnancy massage. i was lucky that my therapist had one of his "regulars" cancel and now i am getting a massage every other week. it's heavenly!