Rib pain during pregnancy

[Nat4392]

I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant and for a few weeks I’ve been getting pain in my lower left rib/sternum area. It’s also tender to touch.
After some research I want to say it sounds a lot like costochondritis.
It generally doesn’t bother me during the day but I’ve noticed it gets worse in the evening when I’m slouching on the sofa and it’s particularly bad during the night. The only relief I get is lying on my back which I know I’m not supposed to do! Lying on my side seems to compress my rib cage more. I’ve been flipping from one side to the other for temporary relief and avoiding back sleeping where I can. It’s at the point where the pain wakes me up and I just cannot get comfortable. Has anyone had any experience of this? Did you find anything helped?

Yes! In both my pregnancies. Currently 37 weeks with number 2.

I've always called it 'rib flare' as your ribs have to expand to make room, but yeah, being super uncomfortable is all part and parcel of being heavily pregnant.

There are a few things that can cause rib discomfort that are more serious, so pleas mention to midwife in order to make sure it's just the usual discomfort!!

My ribs were sore too, I'm quite petite and slim normally so that was why it was worse for me the midwife said

Mine were really painful. Agree with rib flare - I’m quite narrow and the baby was making more space. I have no tips though, just maybe keep your posture as good as you can.

Yes I have been getting this since around 30 weeks too. 36 now and it’s often uncomfortable to sit down because it feels like my uterus is pushing my ribs out - there’s just no space for both! I find the most comfortable position is sitting on a birth ball as it lengthens my body and makes me sit really upright

@LuckyFlash yes I’ve found my posture massively effects how painful it is. Definitely getting a birthing ball this week!

I hear you, had rib pain from 28 weeks now 35 and my life it's so painful, he has his foot up in my right rib and can pin pint to where his heal is. I did tell my consultant as it can be a warning sign to help / pre eclampsia so she check my bloods. When I've had extra scans each time they have been like yep no wonder u r in pain hes got his foot firmly planted 🤦‍♀️ only thing I've found that helps is paracetamol when it's really bad. Change of position and warm shower

Yes! Mine was awful and started at around six months. I ended up being signed off at 34 weeks as I couldn't sit at a desk without burning pain in my ribs. The only thing that would relieve the pain was lying down or walking. It improved around 39 weeks when baby dropped. I'm pregnant with no2 and really hoping it doesn't happen again.

I had really bad rib pain, kind of sternum and under both boobs, probably from around 30 odd weeks. I'm now 38 weeks and get the odd ache but my midwife said it was just my muscles and rib cage expanding for the growing bump. They said they would only look into it further if it was a sharp rib pain as opposed to an ache that was tender to the touch and if it was just down one side and not central (think maybe that's then linked to pre eclampsia)
I found having a bath each night before bed really helped and sleeping on my side but really propped up. Also just gently massaging the area helped. If its really bad and stopping you sleeping you could always take some paracetamol to take the edge off the pain. Wearing good bras during the day also seemed to ease it!

I experienced rib pain from 35 weeks and it turned out to be indigestion. I was slightly indignant when the doctor suggested it (it was high up just under my chest and was agony) but he said the fact that it was worse when I was lying down and in the evening was characteristic of severe heartburn.

Prescribed omeprazole and it was loads better!

Hi all - I had excruciating rib pain for 6 weeks from late second trimester. Tried a lot of things but a single appointment with an osteopath specialised in maternity care alleviated 80-90% of the pain, then it all went when the baby dropped.

Sharing as after much searching I found this tip online and it saved me.