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Childbirth/rib pain at night during 3rd trimester
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Question
My daughter is 36 weeks pregnant. The baby is breech right now. She has extremely bad rib pain at night when trying to sleep. It's gotten much worse in the last week. She is seeing her doctor on Thursday, but is having a really hard time with this pain. It goes away after she gets up in the morning. What could be causing this?
Donna,
It's most likely the position of the baby that's causing the pain. They can move and jab you with all their limbs, so it could be an elbow or shoulder that is to blame, or just general pressure near a nerve.
Since she's 36 weeks, she should be looking into ways to turn the baby head-down before she gets too much further along. Check out the site, www.spinningbabies.com for a host of ideas on rotating her baby into an optimal position.
She should also avoid all positions which encourage a baby to remain breech, which includes reclining on sofas and too much driving. Getting on her hands-and-knees can also help as well as performing pelvic slants.
Best,
Catherine
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Answers by Expert:
Catherine Beier MS CBE
Expertise
I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.
Experience
I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.
Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.
Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.
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