Why do some pregnant individuals develop a waddling gait?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Why do pregnant people waddle? A waddling gait during pregnancy develops as the body adapts to carrying added weight and a shifted center of gravity. Hormonal changes also loosen the pelvic ligaments, widening the stance and altering posture to help maintain balance and stability while walking.

If you're pregnant and noticing changes in how you walk—or experiencing pain, discomfort, or other symptoms you're unsure about—it's important to understand what's normal and what may need attention. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes, learn what to watch for, and guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

A "waddling gait" is very normal during pregnancy. This change happens gradually as the body adapts to carrying more weight in the front. The growing baby bump moves the center of gravity forward and the change in gait accommodates for the change in weight distribution. Additionally, pregnancy hormones loosen the ligaments, leading to less stable joints. In response, the body adopts a waddling gait—a side-to-side leg motion that helps maintain balance and distributes weight more evenly for safer walking. This waddling motion is just one of many ways the body adapts to maintain stability and prevent falls during pregnancy. If you're experiencing unusual walking patterns or other concerning symptoms, use our free symptom checker to better understand what might be happening with your body.

(References)

Abedzadehzavareh Z, Catena RD. The role of waddling gait in balance control during pregnancy. Gait Posture. 2025 Feb;116:16-21. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.11.015. Epub 2024 Nov 22. PMID: 39603180.
Li X, Lu Z, Cen X, Zhou Y, Xuan R, Sun D, Gu Y. Effect of pregnancy on female gait characteristics: a pilot study based on portable gait analyzer and induced acceleration analysis. Front Physiol. 2023 May 16;14:1034132. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1034132. PMID: 37260595; PMCID: PMC10227621.
McCrory JL, Chambers AJ, Daftary A, Redfern MS. The pregnant "waddle": an evaluation of torso kinematics in pregnancy. J Biomech. 2014 Sep 22;47(12):2964-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.07.009. Epub 2014 Jul 30. PMID: 25108664.

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