Any advice for rib pain? UPDATED

[ProfessorChaos]

FTM here, so this is all new to me. This Little Girl has been head down for weeks (I'm 33+3), and her favorite position seems to be to have her butt near my left lower rib (not a problem), so that her little legs kick my right ribs all day long (big problem). It's so painful!!! I really think my ribs are bruised at this point. I have a job that requires a lot of sitting, so maybe she gets squashed.

Is there anything anyone can recommend for this? I've heard some people say you can kinda push down and coax the baby into a different position, but this hasn't worked for me so far. Has anyone had success with that or anything else?

TIA!

***
So I was recently diagnosed with a dislocated rib. It took a lot time and a lot of doctors looking at it before somebody (a PT) felt around and noticed what was causing the pain. Apparently this is rare, but it happens. There's also something called costochondritis to watch out for, but that's not what I have.

There's not much they can do for a dislocated rib while you're pregnant, but at least I know that I'm not crazy for feeling like I'm in way more pain than I should be for a "normal" pregnancy.

[mamasoup030]

I had that in my first pregnancy, I found a minute or two of placing an ice pack would get my LO to move her feet. I'd make sure to mention it to your doctor at your next check up. Sometimes right rib pain is just a foot, sometimes it's not. Any constant or frequent pain in the same spot should be mentioned to them.

[missjenniebean]

I have been having this problem for a couple weeks. My Dr said nothing to worry about but doesn't hurt to ask. I change my seating position if rubbing doesn't work.

[lib1974]

I am 37 weeks and have been dealing with this since week 27. It's miserable and I am sorry to say it gets more uncomfortable. Before I could press on it and it would help a little but now the only thing I can do is stand up and was around. Good news is when I sleep it doesn't hurt at all anymore. Wish I had more advice, sorry you are in pain! Oh and be careful with the ice it can make them flip..

[ProfessorChaos]

I saw the MW today and she pretty much said there's nothing to do except stand up straight and wait for baby to descend. I'm going to keep that ice trick in mind if I get desperate, but I am nervous about flipping her the wrong way.

Thanks, ladies!

[critter015]

Sorry you are going through this. I had a horrible time with my first, she kept her feet pressed on one rib all day long. It even had a bruise that was visible on the outside! She's three and I still have pain in that rib sometimes. Thankfully I haven't had as much trouble with my subsequent pregnancies. I agree that standing and moving around helps. I had a desk job while pregnant with my first two and made a point to get up and walk around every hour to try to help with the pain.

[mamasoup030]

Glad it's just discomfort pblge! I can't speak to all experiences, but the ice didn't cause my daughter to flip, and I would remove it as soon as she removed her foot. It was a pretty quick chain of events. I imagine if you left it for a long time flipping could happen. So just be mindful of that!

[mommarn]

It seems like I'm in the same boat. The rib pain! Ugh! So far the only things that seem to help are standing or walking and being mindful of my posture. Driving is rough because I think I'm particularly smooshed up in that position. At first I thought warm baths would help, but they don't. I really think it's just positional and a lot to do with keeping your posture nice and neutral.

[abachesta]

I feel your pain mine does the same. And my job is physical as well with lots of squishing of him/her. If possible I lean with my forearms on the counter top in the break room. Or at home get on all fours and do a lot of pelvic rocking and swaying let gravity pull baby down in my belly, encourage baby to move. Or sit on my birthing ball and do circles to help open my pelvis and get the baby down lower. It provides temporary relief.

[beefinch]

I stretch, put my hands above my head and stretch it out.
It normally does work, if he's being stubborn there's nothing else that I have found to work.
I do find it most uncomfortable when in the sitting position as I guess he's being squashed.

[missjenniebean]

Mar 2, 2015 13:20:14 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

FTM here, so this is all new to me. This Little Girl has been head down for weeks (I'm 33+3), and her favorite position seems to be to have her butt near my left lower rib (not a problem), so that her little legs kick my right ribs all day long (big problem). It's so painful!!! I really think my ribs are bruised at this point. I have a job that requires a lot of sitting, so maybe she gets squashed.

Is there anything anyone can recommend for this? I've heard some people say you can kinda push down and coax the baby into a different position, but this hasn't worked for me so far. Has anyone had success with that or anything else?

TIA!

***
So I was recently diagnosed with a dislocated rib. It took a lot time and a lot of doctors looking at it before somebody (a PT) felt around and noticed what was causing the pain. Apparently this is rare, but it happens. There's also something called costochondritis to watch out for, but that's not what I have.

There's not much they can do for a dislocated rib while you're pregnant, but at least I know that I'm not crazy for feeling like I'm in way more pain than I should be for a "normal" pregnancy.

Oh my! Glad you didn't give up when you thought something was wrong. What can you do to fix it after baby? Happy you don't have costochondritis. Hang in there!

[ProfessorChaos]

missjenniebean, they said it will likely be fine after the baby is born, as there will no longer be a force (bit uterus and wiggly baby) pushing it out of joint. If it doesn't go back on its own, they will be able to pop it into place early.

In reading about other people who experienced this, it seems like some get relief when the baby drops. FX this happens soon!

[missjenniebean]

ProfessorChaos, hopefully it just falls into place for you! Silly lil one, being ornery and displacing your rib. Hang in there, looks like you only have a few more weeks until you can flaunt that baby and hopefully properly placed rib!

[missjenniebean]

My rib has gone from just feeling obnoxious to actual pain....grrrrr....

[Deleted]

I've had problems with one of mine this time around- to the point where I could hear/feel clicking or grinding. They can send you to a prenatal PT to learn to tape it for some relief. DD is sitting lower now which helps. I couldn't lay or lean on my left side from weeks 19-36. :/