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Pregnancy

Rib pain

15 replies

islingtongirl · 12/05/2013 20:33

Hello - I'm 25 weeks and for the past few weeks have been getting increasingly uncomfortably around my lower rib area, it's feels "burnt" and sore, like its being stretched, and a bit tender to the touch. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it just my uterus/ baby growing upwards or something else I should be worried about? It's seems slightly worse on my right hand side and mr google suggests some very scary things for right sided rib pain! I'm just worried its going to get worse and worse with still 15 weeks to go :( should I speak to dr/midwife?

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Spookey80 · 12/05/2013 20:35

Omg I remember this with my dc2, it went right around the side and back of my left rib cage area. Really hurt me, not much I could do, tiger balm, I recall I had to sit upright on the sofa.
Sorry, not much advice but some empathy that's for sure.

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Makinglists · 12/05/2013 20:39

I had this it was agony - paracetamol helped as did gentle stretching exercises. With DS1 I went swimming a lot and this really helped (didn't have time with DS2). I would get it checked out though - probably just the baby pushing the ribs but there are some more serious reasons so just for the peace of mind I would speak to the midwife. I found the rib pain the worst part of pregnancy and I had twinges for about a year after - you have my sympathy.

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islingtongirl · 12/05/2013 20:42

Thanks for the quick replies! I'm scaring myself over hellp syndrome now...but I feel fine apart from this and my blood pressure was fine, if not low, at my 25 week appt last week...perhaps I should give midwife a call tomorrow? I'm being typically british and lame and don't want to be a timewaster though! Can you tell this is dc1?!

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babyradio · 12/05/2013 20:50

No advice just sympathy, I have this and paracetamol doesn't touch it, thankfully only a few weeks to go now... my first too, I hate ringing the midwife - but they don't mind!

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Bunnychan · 12/05/2013 21:06

I had this and it turned out my baby's bum was really high up and in the exact place where I was having the pain lol! Hope you sort it soon x

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GeordieCherry · 12/05/2013 21:10

I'm in a lot of pain from the same. Taking as much paracetamol as I can. Dr, MW & nurse all said it was ok
I sneezed this morning & cried for about 10 mins. No swimming for me today
I've found that heat helps. HWB or a wheat bag is doing wonders for me this eve
Hope it gets better for you

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poocatcherchampion · 12/05/2013 21:11

I had this with both pgs at about 22 weeks. I panicked it would last all the way through but it stopped after a week or so. phew

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GibberTheMonkey · 12/05/2013 21:16

It's called rib flare
I had it badly with my first and my ribs are still wonky ten years later

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cogitosum · 12/05/2013 21:18

I've had it really badly from about 22 weeks at the top of my rib cage. I bought a stupidly expensive bra which helped a bit but still painful and absolutely agree re the burning sensation. My yoga instructor gave me some exercises to do which should help which I'll post when I'm on pc (on phone at the mo)

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islingtongirl · 12/05/2013 21:34

Thank you all - reassuring to know I'm not alone but you all have my sympathies that you have experienced it at all, it's so uncomfy! Especially sleeping now, and weirdly sitting up for long periods, so basically anything! Must stop googling as well, it really isn't my friend....

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Teaandflapjacks · 13/05/2013 05:03

I feel your pain (literally) been up as usual since 5am thanks to this. She is sitting breach currently and has her head under my ribs - it is incredibly painful sometimes, other times just feels plain weird!! I find a bath helps, or i put my little dog close as she is warm but not too hot. Those cherry stone pillows you pop in the microwave are quite good. I have a terrible google habit - was told off by my Gyn. over it! Step away from the google, and sit in a funny position to see if that helps!

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pumpkinsweetie · 13/05/2013 06:54

I remember this well with dc3, was worse when i was sitting upright in a chair and it only got worse later on.
It turned out she wasn't that big when she arrived neither!
Try laying down more often or standing up for short periods of times and swaying-thats what i did, it relieved it somewhat.

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AlmondFrangipani · 13/05/2013 14:06

Hi,

I am 28 weeks and like you have had this for the past few weeks. I panicked looking on Google so rang the midwife and she basically said that unless you get other symptoms of pre-eclampsia then it is very likely to be rib flare. I also asked my osteopath who confirmed it and basically said it is the gristle in between your ribs is being forced to stretch. I found that it is worst when the baby has its feet/head under my ribs so I have learnt a few tricks to move it (down dog yoga move/lying on left side (my pain is on the right), baths, or a bit of persuasive pushes) as apart from paracetamol there isn't much else you can do . Hope you can manage it. x

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SisterMatic · 13/05/2013 22:15

Sounds like baby is stretching

If your blood pressure is fine, no headaches, swelling of face and hands, no flashing lights then I would not get into a panic.

Plus, the epigastric pain of hellp is excruciating. I had HELLP last year.

Step away from Google! You are fine, just baby making some room in there and getting very comfy! Best wishes!

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islingtongirl · 14/05/2013 06:31

Ahh thanks all it was slightly better yesterday so haven't called anyone yet. Im on holiday from tomorrow for a week, hopefully will be able to relax, swim etc and that will help. Last holiday just the two of us, and 3rd tri looming, eek! Hope everyone is having a good week, and those of you suffering with this rib thing too find some relief!