Did anyone bruise or crack a rib when pregnant?

AMYRENEE27

The side of my rib was been hurting like crazy for the past 2 days. I have had an awful cough for a few weeks and now I want to cry every time I cough. I read online that you can bruise or crack a rib from coughing and woman also can crack ribs during pregnancy.

Neither baby is on that side of my body, so I think the coughing may have caused the damage. Has this happened to anyone? I have a doctor's appointment on Friday so I am trying to hold calling until then.

natb22

I haven't, but just wanted to say OUCH! My mom had a broken rib while she was pregnant (my sister kicked too hard!) But as far as I know there isn't anything they can do for broken/bruised ribs.

I wonder if it could have been from the pressure of everything inside you not necessarily a baby kicking directly to the ribs.

I can totally sympathize on the cough too, mine is just starting to go away finally.

AlishaMay

I didn't make it as far as you are (nice work!), but around 26 weeks, I thought I was going to die!  Baby A was kicking the crap out of my ribs and it hurt so bad I could barely breathe.  She got herself lodged in there (hmmm...she still like to get into little places), and all I could do was rest my forearms on the counter and let my belly hang to get some relief, and make her float out of there a little. 

After I delivered I did have some slight bruising on my ribcage, which my doc said can be common from the pressure and activity of the baby.  It didn't hurt anymore after delivering, so I never thought about it again.  GL, you're almost there!!!

kafunder

A coworker cracked her ribs from coughing (not while pregnant) so it is possible. I also had horrible rib pain when pregnant. Sometimes, both of their heads would be lodged in my rib cage, and it felt like it was tearing muscle from bone. It was horrible. A few times I used ice to help it but nothing really made the pain go away until I delivered.

lele144

I didn't break a rib while pregnant but I did break one a couple of years ago by coughing.  I had a really bad case of bronchitis and all the coughing had caused a stress fracture. Apparently, it is pretty common. All the Dr. said to do was keep a pillow by me at all times and everytime I had to cough or sneeze wrap it around my side where the rib was broken.  Although still painful, it did seem to help alittle bit.  They also had taken xrays just to make sure I did not puncture a lung. But as always check with your dr.  Hope this helps!