Rib Pain & Pregnancy

Rib pain is quite a common issue when pregnant, especially as a pregnancy progresses into the third trimester.  As the body changes with pregnancy and the way you move changes, the structures in your body need to adapt to these changes as well. Rib pain can come on due to a number of different reasons including but not limited to:

1. Relaxin Hormone:

As a pregnancy progresses the body releases a hormone called Relaxin which relaxes the muscles and ligaments in the body to prepare the body for childbirth. This will impact the stability of the body as a whole, including the ribcage. This change in stability will impact what muscles work and when they work to keep the body upright.

2. Posture Changes:

As a baby grows, the tummy will grow forwards. This changes the body's center of mass and can create changes in posture.  These changes in posture can put more pressure on the rib cage and thoracic spine region.

3. Increased Uterus Size:

As a baby grows, the uterus has to grow with it to accomodate the change in size. As the baby and uterus grow, this can create an upwards pressure, which will start to push up into your rib cage. There can also be an outward pressure, stretching out muscles that attach into your rib cage

4. Position of the Baby:

As the baby grows and moves it may position itself to create more pressure on one area of the ribs.

What can be done about it?

Rib pain in pregnancy can sometimes be brushed off as a normal thing that individuals have to deal with as part of their pregnancy journey.  This is not always the case.  While a physiotherapist can't change the rate at which a baby grows, physiotherapy can address other factors that may be impacting the ribs.

With changes in stability and posture in the body, physiotherapy can work on postural correction to reduce the impact on the rib cage through different exercises and techiques, as well as manual therapy.  Strengthening muscles can be used to create more support within the body and reduce the load on other muscles that may be acting on the rib cage. Exercises and mobility work may be implemented to reduce pressure in certain areas and allow different muscles to work within the body.  Different movement and breathing strategies may be used to reduce discomfort or pain in the rib cage area.

As each pregnancy is different it is important to see a physiotherapist so that they can work on an individualised care plan for your pregnancy that addresses why you are experiencing rib pain.

Jade Reid