Rib and back pain 25 weeks

[Nellie2710]

I have horrible rib pain (just under where my bra sits at the front) and back pain (just under my bra strap at the back) whenever I stand or walk for periods of time. It only settles when I'm lying on my back and hurts when I lie on my side. It's stopping me from sleeping at night and it's worse after I've eaten a meal.

I've tried stretches, changing my bra, not wearing a bra at home, heat pads, paracetamol and nothing works.

Anyone had rib or upper/middle back pain in pregnancy and have any solutions? I've been looking at the pregnancy support bands but they look like they are more for lower back pain?

I feel so fed up with it and I'm only 25 weeks. I can't do anything that involves walking or standing for more than 20 minutes and it's very frustrating!

Any advice very very gratefully received! X

I had this with my last pregnancy too. Can't remember if quite that early on, but certainly it felt like I had a good few months of it. I had really bad acid reflux and gassiness. It's really grim, but with me it ended up being trapped wind, in a really weird place. May be tmi, but my mum gave me a shoulder rub sort of digging under the shoulder blade and that area on the back, I had this horrendous wind from both ends and the pain went. Of course it built up again, but at least I knew what it was and could be "winded" periodically. It really wasn't anything I was expecting to have in pregnancy! GERD can do some odd things. Might be something to think about, especially if it happens more after you eat?

I had this last pregnancy and it's been even worse this time. The only relief I get is when I have no Bra on and lie flat with my arms above my head. Also bouncing on the ball or kind of laying on it with my head back on the bed and legs up on my drawers. Honestly it's been pretty debilitating this time round.

You poor thing! The rib pain was definitely the worst part of my pregnancies

I saw a physio who tapes me up with Kinsy (sp) tape, and showed me how to do it, so I could tape myself with a roll bought from Amazon
The appointment was about £45 but the best money I spent. She was a specialist sports and womens health one, and used the remainder of the appointment to give me a massage, absolutely amazing!

with my second, I saw a different physio and she asked if I had ever broken my rib

she said it was possible that there was scar tissue there, which can’t stretch, and as your ribs expand and flare, the scar tissue stops it and causes pain

I hadn’t had a diagnosed break but several sports injuries were it was possible- does that sound familiar to you at all..?

I had rib pain from a dislodged rib because of all the ligaments being looser. Saw an osteopath who specialised in pregnancy and babies. She relocated my rib and helped ease other niggles and pains too. She was amazing. Such a relief.

You have my sympathy, I've had rib pain both pregnancies and it's so sore. My best advice is to try some pregnancy pilates or yoga - I attended a pilates class run by a physiotherapist and she was able to suggest certain stretches which helped alleviate the rib / back pain. I would take paracetamol before bed on days where the pain was keeping me awake. Good luck x

@QS90 thank you for getting back to me :) I don't feel at the moment (fingers crossed) I have much trapped wind, just a bit of indigestion and heartburn occasionally but will certainly look up GERD. I've heard of it but not looked into it yet :)

@20viona thanks for getting back to me :) that's what I find too! Lying on my back and stretching my arms helps but it's no good for me at work when I'm feeling miserable :( at least it's something though! Sorry to hear you're having a tough time with it :(

@tenbob thanks for getting back to me :) I've been thinking about tapping but would obviously need professional guidance! But it seems like a good shout. Willing to spend anything at this rate as it makes me so miserable. I don't think I have ever broken a rib, I've never been in enough pain to suspect it! Honestly, I just think I just have bad posture which is coming back to bite me now and it's difficult to change a habit of a lifetime once it's so imbedded!

@ABrotherWhoLooksLikeHellMugYou thanks for replying :) I guess that could be a possibility, it came on suddenly one day when I was standing around a bit and never went away. I don't think I was doing enough to cause that but who knows with pregnancy, I feel like anything is possible!

@Differentnamethistime thanks for replying :) I did some yoga this morning for the first time after seeing your comment, can't believe I hadn't considered it! Will try and make it more regular and see if it improves :)

Have you considered gallstones?
My gallstones started when I was 19 weeks with back pain and pain in the ribs under my right breast .

I was told it was normal as the rib cage expands during pregnancy. I used to put loads of pillows behind me and kind of lean my upper back backwards, so my rub cage expanded. I also had a big bum lodged in my ribcage for months too . So I felt your pain

@Nellie2710 see I work at a hospital so I do go and have a lie down whenever I get chance but it's not practical!

My then-3-year-old caused it with a misjudged launch off the back of the sofa, but honestly, I reckon a weird twist, reach or awkward hug could probably cause it if you were so inclined.
Deffo see a. professional

could you have gallstones?

Mine developed during pregnancy and I got awful back pain/rib pain like attacks at night after eating fatty meals. Not even really bad meals, but anything with fat in.

My pain wasn't all the time it was just sudden and would last 6-8 hours at a time.

@123feraverto was the pain constant or did it come and go? My pain is only there after I've been up and about and I can give my back a good stretch and it goes away for a short period so makes me think it's more muscular? My midwife didn't seem concerned so haven't considered gallstones at all!

Thanks @romdowa, I'll see if that helps at night time :) I think baby is lying sideways at the moment and have read that she might move so she's head down soon so hoping that it might get better...! I do think you're right about all the stretching though!

@20viona I work on a hospital ward too so might see if I can try and be sneaky and have a lie on the plinth in the gym when it's free!

@ABrotherWhoLooksLikeHellMugYou sounds like it could be possible then! I'm going to try and make a physio referral at work tomorrow!

@eatsleeprepeat123 thanks for replying :) I think mine might be more related to the amount of food I'm eating and the pressure it's causing to push up against my ribs. It's not after every meal, and my back only tends to start hurting when I'm standing around or sitting for long periods which makes me think it's more muscular. I will certainly keep an eye on it and speak to my midwife if anything changes though. Thank you for letting me know your experience :)

the Pain was on and off , in the beginning it was very infrequent but gradually increased.
it wasn’t diagnosed until she was 5 weeks old and the pain more or less consistent for a week ,

Ok thanks @123feraverto I will certainly keep an eye on it and other symptoms too