I've heard people talk about pelvic changes during pregnancy. Does the pelvic bone actually expand or widen to accommodate the baby's growth and delivery?
Yes, the pelvic ligaments stretch and it can cause pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Wear a pelvic support belt if the ache gets too uncomfortable when you walk.
It is totally normal for the pelvis to stretch. For relief, use a pregnancy pillow between your knees while sleeping on your side, it's a cheap and easy way to support the hips.
It absolutely does, because the body releases relaxin hormone to widen the birth canal. Don't worry about the widening, it's essential for delivery and your body recovers post-baby.
My mom used to give me a warm compress for my lower back and hips when they ached from stretching. Staying with parents made coping with these physical changes so much easier.
Yes, the joints and ligaments loosen up to make space for the baby's birth. Doing gentle prenatal pelvic stretches really helped me prepare for a smooth normal delivery.
