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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Damaged ribs at 34 weeks

10 replies

francesrivis · 03/01/2009 09:11

Hi, just wondering if anyone can offer any advice. I'm 34 wks and had a bad cough/cold over christmas which has led to damaged ribs - possibly fractured, more likely to be muscle or cartilage damage. Feeling a bit despondent as I've been doing some research on internet and the general consensus is 4-6 weeks for healing - which is cutting it a bit fine in terms of the birth! Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this or ideas about how to speed up healing. TIA

OP posts:
EightiesChick · 03/01/2009 10:39

Hi francesrivis, can't really help I'm afraid but just wanted to post in sympathy as I have been having severe rib pain, made worse by coughing and vomiting. I don't think mine is fractured (at least I hope not) but what have you read about how a fractured rib would affect the birth? I would have thought rest would be the best thing, don't know how possible this is for you.

Original poster
francesrivis · 03/01/2009 10:54

Thanks, sorry you are going through the same. I have not been able to find anything about how it would affect the birth, but am just worried because if it's anything like my first labour I will need to be very active throughout, which at the moment is not a pleasant prospect. Also concerned about how feasible pushing will be when even coughing or sneezing causes severe pain!

I am doing my best to rest - dp is being very good and doing most of the childcare. Very fed up though as I think my nesting instinct is kicking in early and I want to do lots of housework!

OP posts:
EightiesChick · 03/01/2009 12:48

I can't say my nesting instinct is kicking in yet (I'm 36 weeks) though I'm sure my DH is looking forward to it! I'm indulging myself and lazing around. It is starting to get better for me now which is why I don't think I have a fracture; also I've been coughing less in the last few days. Hope the same happens for you.

Even if total healing takes 4-6 weeks, perhaps it should improve enough in the next few weeks to allow you to be more active come labour. Maybe you could speak to your midwife for some reassurance?

bronze · 03/01/2009 12:51

Are you sure its not severe rib flair 80s. I had this with ds1 was size 8 prior to being pg and he was 9 lb 14. It was agony

CountessDracula · 03/01/2009 12:52

oh god you poor thing
I broke a rib earlier this year and it was bloody agony, I can't imagine what it mus be like at 34 weeks

It took about 4 weeks for it to be bearable and 6 weeks before it stopped hurting a lot when I coughed/sneezed. I don't think there is a lot you can do to speed recovery - the advice usually is to dose up on painkillers (no good for you obv) and be normally active.

curvychick · 03/01/2009 13:40

Hi there this is my 1st mn post as i am a habitual lurker in general lol I couldnt not reply though as i had the same thing happen when i was 36 weeks with ds2. I too had a rotten cough/could and managed to pop the cartiledge (sp?) in my left ribs...was total agony and like you, i was terrified about the labour as i could barely breath as it was without pain, let alone trying to push a baby out.....howver, when i went into labour with ds2 at 39+5, i completely forgot about the rib pain and went on to push out my 9lb 14 oz little fella with a few whiffs of gas and air. The pain didnt improve before i had him and took till he was about 3 months old to let up and i could finally start to lie on my left handside in bed. I was an awful lot better though when i wasnt pregnant than when i was if that makes sense......I hope you dp is looking after you and you are getting lots of tlc and rest......take care

Original poster
francesrivis · 03/01/2009 16:00

Thanks curvy, it is really reassuring to know that you managed to give birth OK despite the rib injury. I am doing my best to rest but its frustrating as I feel like a big fat slob!!

OP posts:
Missmodular · 03/01/2009 21:00

Hi - I'm 31+3 and my ribs are very painful at the mo - not sure if I've fractured them due to coughing but it definitely feels like something has been ripped or pulled. I've been thinking how difficult it will be if I'm still in this amount of discomfort for birth, so it's good to know that it's still possible to go through labour curvy!

I don't really have any more to add except express sympathy with everyone with rib pain - not the greatest thing to have in late preganancy! - and hope that everyone's births go well - if anyone has any tips for coping with the pain and discomfort, let me know! As it is I"m off for a warm bath...

kitkatqueen · 03/01/2009 23:54

Hiya, have you asked your gp if you can use topical arnica cream / tablets during pregnancy? Arnica tablets are often reccomended during and after labour as they can reduce pain and swelling with the same effectivness as nurofen but without the side effects it also promotes very speedy healing.

I would speak to GP or homeopath about using arnica - I am not medically trained but I would not want to go through labour with a dodgy rib Arnica would be my 1st thought in that situation - use it on the kids all the time.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Galt21 · 05/01/2022 03:20

Hi Frances, do you mind me asking you how did your recovery process go for you when in such pain with your rib injury. I too am experiencing an identical cause and at the exact same stage in pregnancy too and very worried how the remaining weeks will go for me now that I'm practically immobile. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA

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