How to Survive Pregnancy with a Hip Replacement?

Hip Replacement and Pregnancy

Can I Get Pregnant with a Hip Replacement?

Discover how a hip replacement (partial or total) can offer a life-changing solution for women of childbearing age facing hip problems such as arthritis, avascular necrosis, or congenital dysplasia. Despite the complexity of the surgery, the transformation it provides can be profoundly life-altering. Ready to learn more?

 

Having a hip replacement won't prevent you from becoming a parent, nor will it dictate the course of your delivery. Studies have shown hip replacements to be entirely safe during pregnancy and childbirth.

 

Does a Hip Replacement Affect Pregnancy?

Research has revealed disparities in pregnancy chances, outcomes, and delivery methods among women who have undergone hip replacement surgery.

 

Some of these variations may be attributable to the underlying condition that necessitated the replacement, as well as other psychosocial elements associated with these health issues. Undergoing hip replacement surgery is, however, a very good reason to excel in your physical preparations before conception and in supporting your physical health during pregnancy (and before and after).

 

Hip Replacement and Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is demanding. Increased weight gain, a forward shift in the center of gravity, and a progressive increase in connective tissue laxity are all significant challenges to your physical body, fitness level, postural stability, and motor control.

 

Add to this an invasive surgery and recovery period. Hip pain is a common symptom during a "normal" pregnancy, but it can reach as high as 60% in women who have previously had hip replacement surgery. It's clear that your hips don't function in isolation, and we must also consider lower back, pubic symphysis, and pelvic region pain as contributing factors.

 

A tailored exercise program coupled with personalized manual therapy can help prepare your body for your baby's arrival and allow you to feel strong and healthy throughout your pregnancy.

 

Stability After Hip Replacement

After surgery, you're not just retraining the strength and shape of your muscles; you're essentially training your brain to remodel your body. Your nervous system's ability to initiate and regulate movement is called motor control. After surgery, this is a large part of what you need to work on to restore normal function. During pregnancy, any compensations made to your body's automatic stability and motor control processes are going to be challenged. This is true for all pregnant women, but it's even more important with a history of surgery.

 

How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy or Childbirth with a Hip Replacement?

Back and Abdomen

The best way to prepare your back and abdomen is to practice lying down resisted isometric hip flexion. To do this, lie on your back with your legs straight and bent to create a 90° angle and push your quadriceps towards your hands.

 

Glutes

Your glutes, back, and hips work together. (This is called the lumbopelvic-hip complex). Training your gluteal muscles relieves your back and ensures stability in your hips and pelvis.

 

Here are some exercises to train your gluteal muscles:

  • Glute bridge;
  • Bilateral Glute Bridge: It's recommended here to squeeze something between your knees or push your knees outwards. This will allow you to automatically engage your core and stabilizing muscles before working your movement muscles;
  • Single-leg/Scissor Glute Bridge: Once you master the standard glute bridge, try it with only one leg. This will help you strengthen your weaker side more directly. Try to keep your hips level and pull your knee towards the ceiling;
  • Standing Hip Extensions: Already pregnant and the thought of getting up and down from the floor discourages you from exercising? Try standing hip extensions, with or without resistance. You can do this with any type of resistance band. Hold onto something so this exercise isn't primarily a balance exercise, especially if you are in your third trimester;

Lateral Hip Stability

Training your body's "side-to-side" stability is excellent fall prevention and is a common weakness post-surgery and during the prenatal period.

 

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Conclusion

As an expectant mother, you know that pregnancy is a time of incredible bodily transformations. So, it's understandable that you'd wonder how your hip joint will be affected by these changes, whether or not there's a surgical implant. Rest assured, however, that hip replacements behave very well during pregnancy and don't compromise your delivery in any way.

That said, there are currently no standard guidelines for women preparing for pregnancy and childbirth after a hip replacement. Exercise rehabilitation and manual therapy can completely transform the experience of pregnancy, from something to survive to a journey that can be savored and enjoyed.

 

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