When does waddling gait usually start in pregnancy?

It often starts in the second or third trimester, but can vary from person to person.

Why do pregnant individuals develop a waddling gait?

Hormones loosen your joints, your belly grows, and your centre of gravity shifts forward. These changes make you take wider, shorter steps for balance.

Waddling Gait During Pregnancy: Causes, Benefits & When It Starts

When pregnant, it is common to notice changes in the way you walk. You might take wider steps or move with a bit of a sway, this is called a waddling gait. It is a common part of pregnancy and nothing to worry about.

It might slow you down or make you feel a bit uncomfortable sometimes, but it's important to remember that this change in how you move is usually temporary and helps keep you balanced and avoid falls.

Understanding why this happens and how you can manage any discomfort that might come with it can help you feel more at ease during this time.

What is Waddling Gait?

A waddling gait is a walking pattern where you may sway from side to side, often resembling a duck’s waddle. This gait is frequently observed during pregnancy as your body adjusts to support the growing foetus and maintain balance.

Your steps may appear shorter, and your body may tilt laterally with each step. The waddle becomes noticeable in the second or third trimester, though it varies among individuals.

Causes of Waddling Gait in Pregnancy

The waddling gait during pregnancy results from a combination of hormonal, anatomical, and physiological changes that affect your body’s structure and movement patterns. These changes are most pronounced as pregnancy progresses.

Increased body mass: On average, you gain about 11 kilograms during pregnancy, primarily in the abdominal region. This added weight shifts your centre of gravity forward, leading to adjustments in posture and walking to maintain balance.

Hormonal changes: Hormones like relaxin increase joint laxity, particularly in the pelvis and lower spine. This loosening of ligaments can widen your stance and contribute to the side-to-side motion of a waddling gait.

Altered body-mass distribution: The growing foetus creates a low anterior load on your trunk, which affects how weight is distributed across your body. This shift encourages a wider base of support during walking.

Musculoskeletal changes: An increase in anterior pelvic tilt and potential changes in hip, knee, and ankle joint mechanics can affect how you walk.

Base of gait increase: The base of support (the distance between your feet) often widens significantly to improve stability. This wider stance can make the side-to-side swaying motion of waddling more noticeable. A study titled ‘Changes in Foot Biomechanics during Pregnancy and Postpartum’ states that step width increases by up to 30 per cent as pregnancy advances.

Spinal and pelvic adjustments: Your spine and pelvis may curve inward to support your expanding abdomen, further influencing your posture and gait.

Study on Waddling Gait During Pregnancy

A research article titled ‘Gait Analysis during Pregnancy’ offers detailed information on how specific gait parameters change during pregnancy, leading to the waddling gait. These changes were measured in a study of 322 women, including pregnant individuals in their first, second, and third trimesters and a control group of non-pregnant individuals.

Reduced gait speed: You walk significantly slower during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant individuals. The slowest walking velocity is often observed in the second trimester, with slight improvements in the third trimester as you adapt to physical changes.

Decreased cadence: Cadence, or the number of steps per minute, decreases, leading to a longer gait cycle time. This slower rhythm is part of your body’s strategy to maintain balance and stability.

Shorter step and stride length: Both step length (distance between consecutive heel strikes of opposite feet) and stride length (distance between consecutive heel strikes of the same foot) are reduced. This reduction is evident from the first trimester and persists throughout pregnancy, contributing to the shorter, more cautious steps of a waddling gait.

Increased foot angle: The angle of your foot relative to the direction of walking increases. This outward foot positioning improves lateral stability and adds to the waddling appearance.

Stable base of support: While the base of gait widens in the third trimester, the study found no significant overall change in the base of support across trimesters compared to the control group. However, the slight increase in the third trimester supports the wider stance associated with waddling.

No significant change in trunk movements: Trunk tilt, obliquity, and rotation during walking remain similar to those of non-pregnant individuals. This suggests that waddling is primarily caused by pelvic and lower limb changes.

Diagnosis of Waddling Gait in Pregnancy

Since waddling gait during pregnancy is a natural change, extensive testing is rarely needed unless other symptoms suggest an underlying issue. Take a look at some of the ways to diagnose it:

Clinical observation: Your healthcare professional will assess your gait during routine prenatal visits by watching you walk. They’ll note signs like a wide stance or side-to-side swaying.

Footprint method: You walk barefoot on a paper strip after inking your feet, and the resulting footprints are analysed for parameters like step length, stride length, foot angle, and base of support. The Wilkinson method provides precise definitions for these measurements.

Medical history review: Your healthcare professional will ask about your pregnancy stage, any pelvic pain, or discomfort while walking to confirm that the waddle is pregnancy-related and not due to another condition.

Physical examination: A physical exam may include checking your pelvic alignment, muscle strength, and joint mobility to rule out issues like hip dysplasia or neurological conditions.

Unless there’s concern about an orthopaedic or neurological issue, imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs are not required for pregnancy-related waddling gait.

Is Waddling Gait a Concern in Pregnancy?

No, waddling gait during pregnancy is generally normal and not a cause for alarm. It reflects how your body intelligently adapts to keep you safe and prepare for delivery.
This is why it’s typically not a cause for concern:

Protective mechanism: Waddling correlates with better balance control and reduces the risk of falls, which affect 27 per cent of pregnant individuals.

No energy cost: Adopting a waddling gait does not increase energy expenditure and is an efficient way to move during pregnancy.

Temporary nature: The waddle resolves shortly after childbirth as your pelvis returns to its pre-pregnancy state and your centre of gravity normalises.

However, you may experience musculoskeletal discomfort like low back pain, sacroiliac joint pain, or leg cramps, which are common during pregnancy.

Pathological Waddling Gait After Symphysiotomy

If shoulder dystocia occurs during the second stage of labour and leads to an arrest of labour, a symphysiotomy may be performed as an emergency procedure. This involves surgically dividing the pubic symphysis, the cartilage connecting the pubic bones, to widen the pelvic opening. This procedure might lead you to experience severe pelvic girdle pain after delivery. Additionally, it can cause a pathological waddling gait. Recovery from these effects can take several months

Treatment and Management of Waddling Gait in Pregnancy

Treatment of pregnancy waddling gait focuses on managing discomfort and supporting safe movement rather than eliminating the gait itself. Follow some of these tips to stay comfortable:

Stay active: Regular movement helps maintain muscle strength and flexibility. Do exercises such as gentle hip circles, shoulder rolls, and ankle rotations.

Wear supportive shoes: Choose comfortable shoes with good arch support to accommodate changes in foot size due to pedal oedema and to stabilise your gait.

Maintain good posture: Focus on maintaining good posture to support your spine and reduce strain while walking.

Physical therapy: If you experience pelvic pain or excessive waddling, a physical therapist can design exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and adjust your gait pattern.

Avoid overstretching: Avoid excessive stretching to prevent joint instability. Focus on controlled movements like pregnancy yoga.

Consult your doctor: If walking becomes painful or you suspect issues beyond normal pregnancy changes, discuss them with your healthcare professional for proper advice.

Waddling gait is a natural and common change in pregnancy. It helps your body stay balanced and prevents falls as your shape and weight shift. It may cause some discomfort, but the waddle will likely fade after delivery. Staying active, wearing supportive shoes, and maintaining good posture can help you manage any discomfort. If you have pain or concerns, it’s best to speak with your healthcare professional.

FAQs on What is Waddling Gait During Pregnancy?

When does waddling gait usually start in pregnancy?
It often starts in the second or third trimester, but can vary from person to person.
Why do pregnant individuals develop a waddling gait?
Hormones loosen your joints, your belly grows, and your centre of gravity shifts forward. These changes make you take wider, shorter steps for balance.