Has anyone ever experienced a costochondral separation (rib separates from cartilage) during pregnancy? I've had a bad cough for over a week, and last night one of my coughing attacks injured my rib. The pain is excruciating; worse than my first labor! I'm almost 37 weeks along and scared this won't heal before delivery!
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I got pneumonia with my second pregnancy and was coughing almost non stop for well over a month. I forget now for how long. But I was sick and coughing for two weeks before going to my OB. Did meds (antibiotics?) for at least 10 days after. My ribs were definitely bruised and it hurt to breathe. I think it was almost two weeks after the antibiotics that it didn't hurt to breathe.
Have you seen your Ob or primary yet?
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I did! But I was not as far along....I was only 12 weeks. It was absolutely horrible.....the only thing that helped it heal was seriously taking it easy. Not lifting my kids, not carrying them anywhere, not even carrying the groceries in. I was taking vicodine just to get me through the pain. Eventually it went away. I also went to a physical therapist a couple times, but mainly, the only thing that can encourage healing is rest.
Interestingly enough, my injury was caused by a chiropractic adjustment gone wrong.
I hope yours heals before delivery!
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I don't think this specifically happened, but my ribs were splayed during pregnancy from the pressure of my son up against them, and basically kicking them apart. The pain was awful and even breathing hurt. Sitting hurt, lying down hurt - it was just miserable.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this
I hope it heals quickly!
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I dislocated a rib. It was excruciating. I saw a chiropractor and it really helped.
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@regberadaisy: that sounds awful! I haven't been to the doctor because any movement at all sets off spasms of pain. An advice nurse recommended wrapping my rib cage with a thick bandage and alternating hot/cold pads. So far, the only thing that seems to help is staying as still as possible in a reclining chair.
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@Rainbow Sprinkles: Do you remember how long it took to start feeling better?
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@Mrs. Pen: that sounds awful, too. Did you still have pain when you went into labor? That's what I'm most worried about!
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@MrsSRS: I wish I had a chiropractor I could trust! I wouldn't want to find myself in worse shape from an adjustment, like @Rainbow Sprinkles.
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Oh no! I'm so sorry you're going through this. I got the flu when I was 38 weeks pregnant and coughed so hard I popped a rib out of place. It was excruciating! I ended up going to urgent care twice- I refused pain meds the first time but I could barely breathe through the pain so I went back and said ok to the drugs. They took the edge off but didn't fix the problem.
I was so worried about getting through labor when I was already in so much pain, but my amazing acupuncturist was able to gently work the rub back into place. I'm with you on being nervous about trying a new chiropractor for this problem, but maybe a massage therapist or acupuncturist could help?
The last stages of pregnancy are tough enough without having to deal with something so painful. I really hope you find something that works for you SOON!
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How do you know the rib separated? I had terrible bronchitis the month before baby was born. The cough lasted probably 6-7 weeks. I truly thought I would cough so hard and put myself into labor! My left rib/back hurt so much on the inside, at the hospital post-partum, I was using the painkillers more for the rib pain than anything else. They checked me by X-ray for fracture or pneumonia, but it was negative. The rib pain lasted another 4 weeks after baby was born. I couldn't even move certain ways, lie on my side, roll over, cough, or even breathe too hard, without pain. Both my OB and GP told me it would just take time and nothing they could do. Well, my GP suggested Salon Pas, but I didn't get around to buying any.
I hope it heals quickly!
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