Rib pain as early as 14+

[Lues]

So I know that rib pain is normal later in pregnancy. But I'm between 14 and 15 weeks and I have pretty constant rib pain JUST below my boob, only on the right side. It feels like there should be a bruise, but there's not.

It's pretty extremely uncomfortable, but as far as "pain" goes I only give it a two or so.

it's not acid reflux, because it's way too surface feeling for that, and it's distinctly on the right side only. (and it feels nothing like acid reflux). It literally feels like a bruised rib.

Baby is WAAAAY too tiny and down WAAAAY lower to be from that, right?

Any one else get this so early?

side note: I'm SOOOO excited to be in second trimester!!!!

 

[Amygdala]

I'm not a doctor but I'm pretty certain this is gall stones (or irritation of the gall bladder). They are often brought on by hormonal changes in pregnancy. I've had them since being pregnant with my first and I have bouts of pain from them every few months. Most of the time, they're nothing to worry about but they can cause problems if one causes an infection. So it'd be wise to get them properly diagnosed (the doctor will order an ultrasound and that'll tell you for sure) and be aware of the signs of something that needs immediate medical attention.
The mild pain, I can usually shift by lying on my left and drinking fennel tea. A diet low in fat makes them less likely overall and drinking citrus juices seems to also help them. When not pregnant, you can take Buscopan to ease the pains but I don't know if that's allowed in pregnancy as I've not needed it yet. Paracetamol can also take the edge off (but new studies suggest that paracetamol use should be limited in pregnancy).

Not to scare you, but a word of warning: Gall stones can cause pretty severe pain sometimes. I've had 4 attacks in about 5 years and they were literally like being in labour. The first time it happened, I was 20 weeks pregnant and ended up lying on the bathroom floor, dizzy and in agony, thinking I was having contractions. I'm telling you because it scared the living day lights out of me and I didn't find out it was gall stones until a year later!

So, if you're experiencing "mild" right sided pain, start drinking fennel tea and fresh orange juice if you can, lie down on your left and stretch out as often as is possible and try to limit fat and increase fibre in your diet. Now that I know what I'm dealing with, those things are usually enough to avoid a full-on attack. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[EarthMama]

I get this with every pregnancy. I'm 26 weeks and it just started. It's right below my left boob, near the midline of my ribs. It's pressure-related for me. (definitely not gall stones in my case.) It's most uncomfortable when sleeping, or after I eat, any time extra pressure is placed on my diaphragm or ribs, it hurts! It aches, and gets pretty sore, like there should be a bruise there. So annoying.

 

[Marumi]

My ribs hurt a bit around that time and haven't since! Last pregnancy I did not have it in the later months either, only around the early 2nd trimester. I measured and my ribs already grew to the max even though the baby is still fairly low.

 

[jenmcn1]

I had this with my first pregnancy. They thought it was gall stones or kidney stones. Ultrasounds showed nothing in the organs. However I did cut out processed fats. You can still eat healthy fats which are processed differently than anything highly processed. Eliminate salt, butter, cream, bacon, this kind of food will irritate your gall bladder.
However you first have to evaluate if you feel pain after you eat. If you have pain when only moving(muscular) or all the time even when laying down.
Consult your doctor or midwife, and they will likely send you for blood work, to check your liver enzymes etc.

 

[ZubZub]

I had terrible rib pain around that time too but it's since vanished. Not sure what it was, I thought it was my expanding rib cage and the rib joints jamming up. I actually don't remember when it went - your post just reminded me oh yeah, haven't felt that for a while! Hope yours is nothing major and also disappears!

 

[dani_tinks]

I have awful rib pain on my left side under my boobs, sometimes into the middle. It's like a stabbing/burning pain. Thought it was heartburn to begin with but it's far to severe a pain and is totally random as to when it hurts. Usually stretching will help.

 

[Marumi]

You can still eat healthy fats which are processed differently than anything highly processed. Eliminate salt, butter, cream, bacon, this kind of food will irritate your gall bladder.
Consult your doctor or midwife, and they will likely send you for blood work, to check your liver enzymes etc.

I had gallbladder issues and very elevated liver enzymes 2012 after giving birth and strictly cutting down carbs and eating more low-moderate carb and high fat actually solved my problem then.
Grassfed Butter, seasalt, cream, bacon were all part of my staple foods as well as eggs and lots of meat.
It was the time when I started my Paleo type diet due to health issues, prior to being diagnosed I was Vegetarian, later Vegan. When I learned about my health issues I first adapted a fairly regular diet in pregnancy and after pregnancy went fully Paleo.

I came across a lot of info back then that suggests standard low fat diet recommendations for gallbladder and liver issues are not effective while LCHF is effective.
https://paleoleap.com/paleo-gallbladder/

Natural, grassfed butter, especially when raw is also one of the least processed, most natural foods. It is my number one health food, has been since 2012. I basically am made of butter
https://paleoleap.com/the-many-virtues-of-butter/