Seriously painful back and ribs??

[ethelfleda]

I'm 33 weeks today and I am in so much pain. Ribs ache above the bump like crazy sometimes but have this horrendous back pain also - in the middle of my back but on the left. The only thing that makes it go away is lying on my back.. which of course I can't do for prolonged periods! Paracetamol and heat do not work anymore and I just can't get comfortable. I can't stand the thought of potentially another 7 weeks of this pain!
Has anyone else had this?? I think it's related to run pain rather than muscular but can't be sure.

*rib pain that should say!

Hey OP tell your midwife at your next appt to prescribe you some stronger pain killers.

I'm just over 35 weeks and since DS has been head down he has his bum on my right and his feet under my left ribs so i completely sympathise with you! Sometimes i find laying on my right can get him to move... or i just poke him and it gives me 5 mins pain free!

I also found pregnancy a painful experience. I would go to your GP for this one as I found mw's weren't able to prescribe effective pain relief but I guess that depends on where you live. I also got great comfort from a full body maternity pillow, if budget allows one of those double ones. Keep in mind this isn't forever, there is an end in sight, just one day at a time. Baby is probably having a good stretch about which is no fun for you I know. If you have a birth ball that can help too and depending on your own health etc a nice gentle walk when you can also helped.

Thank you both.
Do you think the pain directly relates to how he is lying then rather than ribs pressing on a nerve?

It's honestly hard to say, so many things going on when you're pregnant! For me, I reckon it was the way my dd's were lying, kind of stretching out using my ribs as a hammock! But there is also an interesting hormone at work called relaxitin (not sure of spelling) which essentially relaxes joints/muscles in preparation for birth but is often non specific as to where it's needed. I also remember the sensation of feeling like I couldn't catch my breath and was convinced my skin around my belly would tear. It's often a case of trial and error, finding out which position is the most comfortable, even then for me there was never complete relief but you adjust to some relief. Have you got a birth ball, it might encourage baby to adjust their position a bit. I know it seems like a lifetime away but believe me one day the memory will fade!