My ribs feel like they are being crushed.

[kickingking]

Please, please help with this - I'm 31weeks pregnant but have been measuring very big (fundal height was 34 weeks at 28, to give you an idea) and apparently carrying fluid 'at the upper end of normal'.

For the last week, mild discomfort round my ribcage has been replaced by feeling like I am being crushed. I am breathless, feel 'full' and slightly sick all the time and if I bend forwards I taste vomit (sorry)

Worst of all, I cannot lie down without getting pins abs needles around my ribcage (just under my boobs) and find it impossible to sleep sitting up. Consequently I've had about three hours sleep in the last three days and have ended up sobbing with how tired I am on several occasions .

Can anyone offer any advice on getting more comfortable? I'm 99% sure nothing is 'wrong' just that my uterus is up under my ribcage.

Oh, apparently it isn't an especially big baby - it's the fluid combined with my short stature that's making me so big.

Do you think the baby could be breech? This is how a friend felt who had a breech baby.

Could you ask to be referred to the women's physio team (most hospitals have an equivalent). They specialise in working with pregnant women, usually with mobilising but it sounds like you need some help with getting comfortable.

What about lying on your side with pillows either side of you? Sorry not to be of more help.

The baby was breech when I was scanned three weeks ago. I don't think it's moved position.

I have a five foot sleep pillow which I thought would help - it did with more general pregnancy discomfort but then this pins and needles under my boobs thing started. And also it feels like my spine is being twisted or something when I lie down. I think that might be the size of the enormous bump.

I had rib pain with DS1, which was a symptom of the pre-eclampsia I had.

Not had any probs with blood pressure, last checked three weeks ago.

Can it change that quickly?

Yes I think so kicking. My Dad (who has high blood pressure) checks his nearly every day!

Seeing midwife first thing tomorrow morning, so will get it checked out then.

I just want some sleep

I had this to a milder than you describe degree with DS1. THe only thing that gave (temporary) relief was to sit straight backed as possible, perhaps on the edge of a hard chair and put arms straight above head to elongate body as much as possible.

I wonder, if you can bear to do any of them, whether some of the 'manouvres' suggested on Spinning babies might help. They apparently encourage baby to move from breech/transverse into ceph which can only help the way you're feeling. Well, unless baby then starts booting you in the ribs

Hope you get some rest soon.

I had been assuming that the discomfort was due to the band of fluid at the top of my uterus, rather than the baby.

I will have a look at spinning babies, I hadn't considered trying to turn him/her as I didn't know rib pain was common with breech babies and I will be having a cs anyway.

Sorry but I've been the same for weeks, its awful. I've been sleeping sat up with a million pillows in bed. Consultant said the only way of getting rid of it is giving birth. My due date is today and no sign yet. :(

If baby will turn, then it's highly likely the fluid will redistribute so it's definitely worth a try - as you're no doubt feeling, almost anything is worth a try, right?!