12/18/2025
As a physical therapist who works daily with hypermobile clients, I’ve always understood the mechanics of joint laxity, how unstable joints ask more of your muscles, how fatigue can sneak up quickly, and how important strength and pacing are. But experiencing pregnancy with a hypermobile body has taken that understanding to a whole new level.
My first trimester was a mix of excitement and challenge. I dealt with frequent migraines, waves of nausea, and some strong food aversions. What helped most was eating small snacks throughout the day to keep symptoms at bay. From an exercise standpoint, I shifted to lighter-intensity workouts and gave myself permission to nap more often. Walking became my go-to form of cardio—gentle, consistent, and easy to adjust based on how I felt.
As I entered the second trimester, some symptoms eased while new ones emerged. Intermittent SI joint pain became a recurring issue, something many hypermobile pregnant people experience as hormones increase ligament laxity. I’ve been managing it with a combination of exercises, heat, gentle rolling, and an SIJ compression belt, which has been incredibly helpful during long workdays.
My strength training has gradually increased in intensity again, and I’m rotating between walking and the stair stepper for cardio. But my biggest complaint right now? Foot pain from standing eight hours a day with even looser ligaments under load. Supportive shoes and mindful rest breaks have become essential parts of my routine.
Pregnancy with hypermobility is a constantly shifting landscape, but it has reinforced what I teach my clients every day: with individualized strength work, smart pacing, and the right tools, you can support your body through each stage with confidence and resilience.
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