Why Might a Pregnant Person Experience Trouble Walking?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

During pregnancy, physical changes make walking more challenging. Weight redistribution and shifts in balance may lead to a waddling gait.

Explanation

During pregnancy, the body undergoes shifts as the baby grows. Extra weight—particularly in the abdomen—moves the center of gravity forward. To maintain balance, the body adapts its movement patterns, resulting in a waddling gait where the hips sway from side to side. Research shows that this gait change helps the body stay stable when weight shifts occur. While this adaptation is helpful, it can lead to muscle strain and joint pain. The hips, lower back, and legs often become fatigued more quickly as they work harder to support the redistributed weight. Pregnant individuals should receive guidance on safe movements and may benefit from exercises or physical therapy to reduce discomfort and improve walking stability.

(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.
Gonçalves H, Soares ALG, Domingues MR, Bertoldi AD, Santos MGD, Silveira MFD, Coll CVN. Why are pregnant women physically inactive? A qualitative study on the beliefs and perceptions about physical activity during pregnancy. Cad Saude Publica. 2024 Jan 8;40(1):e00097323. doi: 10.1590/0102-311XEN097323. PMID: 38198382; PMCID: PMC10775962.

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