Excruciating rib pain!!!

[dana4nyc]

Hi All,

I just wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions on how to ease rib pain. I have been having a sharp stabbing pain underneath my right breast for almost 3 weeks now. I can't sit for too long nor can I stand for too long either. At first I thought that it was wind, then I decided that it was my bra so I bought a few maternity bras but it still hasn't eased off. I went to see my MW last Thursday and I asked her about it and what I can do to alleviate it and she basically blew me off saying that there was nothing that I could do. I also asked her to tell me what position the baby is in in case it's a foot or arm shoved up in my ribcage that is causing this and she wouldn't do it stating that they don't feel for baby position until 38 weeks (I'm 30 weeks tomorrow). I finally gave in and called my GP this morning and made an appointment for this Wednesday.

I know that pain is a side effect of pregnancy but I am really hurting. It's affecting my performance at work as I'm in pain all day!

I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone else has experienced this and what you did to get some relief!!

Many thanks in advance!!

check with GP it's nothing to worry about. then, osteopath (if it's your ribs/diaphragm giving you pain, as opposed to a foot up there). arnica.

Did the MW take your BP last week?

I had this. Really painful. Believe it or not acuepuncture worked. I was overdue and was trying to speed things up. It didn't bring on labour but the nrxt day the rib pain was gone. I had had it for weeks.

I think you need to be seen today by a dr actually ust to rule out H.E.L.L.P. Syndrome. Chances are it's not this but it needs ruling out.

i am in the exact same boat lol, at first i thought it was bra so iv bought bigger ones.
then thought it was a bit of heart burn aswell so taken loads of gaviscon aswell, but doctors have said position of baby and pushing on ribs , mine is also the right side , what i find that helps is putting something cold on it , e.g bag of peas wrapped in tea towel, lie back on sofa and hold it there , doesnt always work for me but usally does . . or lie on your right side , before now iv done that and baby has moved its not very nice.

Hi - I have this at the moment (31weeks) - feels like toothache but in my ribs and down my spine. I have been doing some yoga which seems to help. Try gently stretching your arms up to the ceiling for a minute and see if this helps take the pressure off. Yoga is good because it stretches your muscles out and creates more space - though unfortunately it doesn't get rid of it altogether. However it may be that you have a trapped nerve as it does sound like you are in a lot of pain so definiely worth a trip to your docs/physio.

I had rib pain because DS was breech and it was his head moving my rib cage out - it never went back! I'd get someone to check the position of the baby.

All of you who have this need to rule out the possibility of HELLP syndrome, which is a life threatening ( for both you and your baby) form of pre-eclampsia. Sometimes your BP won't be elevated until it turns critical.HELLP syndrome may be preceded by clear signs of pre-eclampsia ? most typically high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling of hands, feet or face. But, like eclampsia, it can also arise out of the blue without any of the classic warning signs. The typical presenting symptom is pain just below the ribs (epigastric pain), sometimes accompanied by vomiting and headaches.

This pain is sometimes confused with the discomfort of heartburn, a very common problem during pregnancy.

Other symptoms include:
Symptoms

Progressive nausea and vomiting
Upper abdominal pain
Headache
Vision problems

Ledodgy - She did take my BP but didn't mention it was high or abnormal.

Merryxmas - I haven't tried using anything clod yet, I have been using my heating pad religiously though! I will try something cold tonight, thanks for the tip!!

Thank you all for responding. I will defo get the GP to check baby's position when I go in Wednesday afternoon.

If you pain really is excruitating you need to see someone sooner than Wednesday. The thing you said about your bras, i thought the same thing when i had hellp

I agree with Bonjoir. Best to get it checked.

take a look at this thread here if you are doubting seeing a dr today You need to get checked asap. As I said earlier it probably isn't HELLP but even if there is a samll chance it is you need to get checked.

I had this pain 10 years ago with my first preg. I was told it was my ribs flaring out (they never went back and I've always worn a larger bra because of it.)

I found it so painful but the good news is that I didn't get it with my second preg, I think once the ribs have flared they stay there.

I found wearing a support really helped. It's like a big elastic belt that fixes with velcro. You put it under your bump and it takes the weight. I remember it stopped the drawing pain.

Not sure if it's the same thing and obviously you need to check out the serious condition that the other person suggested.

But I don't think those back support things cost much and it made the end of the pregnancy bearable for me.

Oh by the way - don't want to worry you but my first baby was 9lb 8oz and I wondered afterwards if that was why my ribs had flared out - to make room for my huge DS. Only kidding - you might not have a biggun