Strange burning pain in ribs

[passionberry]

For the last couple of weeks the skin at the top of my bump, sort of across/under my ribs has felt like it's burning (ow ow ow!). My actual ribs feel like they are buised as well if I touch them - it's really painful!! I'm sure it's normal but just wondered if anyone else had this and it there is anything I can do to soothe it!

Is it just the skin stretching maybe?

(I am 30 weeks.)

I had this too! Can't remember what MW reason for it was though...but it's pretty common I think. Sorry, not much help...

Baby and innards all have to go somewhere! Your ribs spread out a bit more than usual to accommodate them - it's called rib flare, and is very sore.

I have had this since 28 weeks, and it's the pits, so you have my sympathy.

The only cure - which does work, almost immediately - is to lie flat on your back with your arm above your head.

I had this - ditto lying on your back. Stretching everything out really helped. And I used E45 lotion which makes you squeal when you first put it on (if it's cold) but really does the trick for soothing the burn. If it's any consolation, it completely stopped for me at about 36 weeks.

Ah rib flare! Thanks all. Now I can give it a proper name maybe I'll get more sympathy off DH!

It can be just where you are stretching - DS1 was breech and moved my ribs permanently outwards where his head was. However pain at the top of your bump can be a sign of something more serious like pre-eclampsia (can't remember what it's called, someone had a very similar thread recently with a lot more info), so do go to your midwife and get checked over for BP & urine tests just to make sure everything's ok.