Rib pain is common in the third trimester of pregnancy. I experienced severe rib pain with my son and it was very difficult to deal with at times. In my experience, it was one of the most painful side effects of any of my four pregnancies.
The cause of rib pain is the baby growing and the uterus moving up toward the rib cage. This causes the ribs to become compressed. The result is tenderness or pain in the ribs.
The pain can occur on either side of the body, or both sides at once. Many women find that if one side hurts, it is generally the side where more of the baby’s body is positioned. As the baby moves and changes positions, the pain can come and go.
The pain is often worse when you are sitting down. The baby is pushing up more when you are sitting than when you are standing. If you are in pain or if your job requires that you spend much of the day sitting, get up periodically and do some gentle stretches.
Stretching can help relieve the pain in the ribs. Prenatal yoga may help for chronic rib pain. I found that when I practiced yoga, the pain was less severe. While it didn’t go away entirely, I did get some relief. Sign up for a prenatal yoga class at your local studio or get a DVD to practice at home.
If the pain is on one side, don’t sleep on that side. Sleep on the opposite side. This may help reposition the baby away from your ribs. It will definitely relieve some of the pressure, even if the baby decides to stay put. Use pillows to support and cushion your body for added comfort.
When you are sitting, don’t slouch or fall back into a padded chair. Sit upright and use good posture in your office chair. Sitting tall with good posture will help lift the ribs up and away from the baby. This can help reduce the pain.
Related Articles:
Discomforts in the Third Trimester
Fetal Growth in the Third Trimester
Manage Pregnancy Related Stress