Why Pregnant Women Waddle

Ah, the pregnant waddle. We all say this will never happen to us, but it can be unavoidable. That’s because, as your pregnant belly grows, it throws your center of gravity out of whack, so you end up shifting your weight to offset the added heft in front. Plus, all those pregnancy  hormones cause your joints to loosen up.

“Joint laxities make the lower part of the spine looser and more unstable,” says Myra Wick, MD. “That can cause muscle strain and make you waddle.” The icing on the waddle cake is the inside of your pelvis, which starts to tilt and widens your stance.

Sure, all of that shifting puts strain on your muscles, but gentle stretching and moving throughout pregnancy can help. Try prenatal yoga, walking and swimming—they won’t erase these changes, but they can make you more comfortable.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Why and When Your Posture Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnant with sore hips and pelvis?

Doing Pilates during pregnancy?