Rib Flare

5 replies

ap1984 · 21/02/2012 17:29

I have had rib flare since before xmas now, i really am in absolute agony with it

I know loads of polpe get it but is it normal to last this long

Baby is breech, i'm 32 weeks so plenty of time to move head down

I just don't know how i'm going to get through work for the next 5 weeks as its so painful :-(

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 22/02/2012 09:41

Not quite sure what Rib Flare is? Do you mean your ribs are hurting?

Original poster

ap1984 · 22/02/2012 19:15

Midwife called it rib flare. I've been like this since before Xmas now though and pain is gradually getting worse to the point I feel like crying every day

It's all in my left side where I've been told baby's head is, also my placenta is forward facing and at the top so presuming maybe this is contributing to the pain

I have 7 weeks left and the thought of being like this is killing me

I don't like to moan and complain and I thought I had a relatively high pain threshold but this is excruciating and I was wondering if

A - anyone had had similar and if so what did they do?

B - how long did it last for?

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Chrononaut · 23/02/2012 10:36

hi! sorry to hear your going through the agony that is rib flare.

I had mine from about 30 weeks with ds and i think it stopped at about 38 weeks for me. Remember everyone is different though so yours may last longer. its painful as heck, i used to hold cool things against my ribs to stop them hurting. Im hoping i wont get the flared ribs again with this pregnancy. xxx

thebluenoser · 23/02/2012 17:16

I had it from about 28 weeks with my DD and unfortunately it never really went away during the pregnancy, though it improved a bit once I stopped sitting at a desk and travelling by train (which was absolute agony!). Paracetemol doesn't really help, but hot and cold compresses do a bit.

With this pregnancy I've been much more active doing exercise, pilates and lots of stretches and haven't had a niggle - I'm not, however, sitting at a desk five days a week either!

So, I'd recommend pilates or yoga if you can bear it, hot and cold compresses and if you sit at a desk or drive a lot, seeing if using cushions to change your position a bit helps. The good news is that it stopped immediately after birth! And cry as much as you like. It hurts like hell.

Original poster

ap1984 · 23/02/2012 19:41

Thank you ladies - its reassuring to know that others have experienced this for some length of time also

I'll try the hot and cold compresses and apart from that will grit my teeth and look forward to the fact if will be over once baby arrives

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