Fractured ribs and med-free?

UnderwaterRhymes

Has anyone delivered med-free while also having fractured ribs and costochondritis?

With three weeks to go before my due date and terrible rib pain due to the fracture and inflammation, I'm feeling less than optimistic about going med-free.

I have a pretty decent pain tolerance (and have been studying the Bradley Method and Hypnobabies for several months now) but these ribs are unreal. Would love to hear from someone who had similar issues and went on to deliver sans epidural. TIA!

Annaeliz84

If you are worried about the pain of childbirth combined with the rib pain I can't help you there.  It's definitely not an ideal situation.  I also can't tell you about my experiences giving birth naturally because I haven't done it yet.  I will say that the pain of broken ribs is constant and senseless.  Contractions, on the other hand, come and go and are purposeful pain (in theory, anyway).  My point is I don't think the two are all that comparable, but I'll let you know in a few weeks!

Good luck!

UnderwaterRhymes

No, I'm not trying to compare the two. I'm just worried about the rib pain while I'm giving birth. (I've gone to the ER twice and been sent up to L&D for monitoring and although I've been having contractions they don't even register on the pain meter for me compared to the ribs).

The rib pain is manageable only if I'm not moving around. If I'm doing anything else it escalates to the point where I'm not capable of functioning. I'm not so worried about the pain of labor. I'm more concerned that when I get to the pushing point that I will be completely ineffective due to my ribs.

I was just wondering if anyone else out there had the same issues with their ribs and successfully made it through med-free. 

sschwege

UnderwaterRhymes:

No, I'm not trying to compare the two. I'm just worried about the rib pain while I'm giving birth. (I've gone to the ER twice and been sent up to L&D for monitoring and although I've been having contractions they don't even register on the pain meter for me compared to the ribs).

The rib pain is manageable only if I'm not moving around. If I'm doing anything else it escalates to the point where I'm not capable of functioning. I'm not so worried about the pain of labor. I'm more concerned that when I get to the pushing point that I will be completely ineffective due to my ribs.

I was just wondering if anyone else out there had the same issues with their ribs and successfully made it through med-free. 

I'm so sorry you are going through this, it sounds awful!

An epi might not help at all for the pushing part, because my understanding is that epis only numb you from the waste down, so you would probably still have all feeling in your ribs.  

Keep in mind that just because you are fully dilated that does not mean you have to push.  I 'labored down' for at least 1.5 hours with DD even after I was complete.  Maybe that could be an option for you either route you decide to go.  Let the baby come down on it's own, it will take longer, but should make the process more comfortable for you.  Just a thought. 

UnderwaterRhymes

Thanks, sschwege. It's not been a lot of fun, that's for sure!

Yeah, I figured an epidural might be too low to affect my ribs. I wouldn't want to numb much higher than my waist since I understand that can cause breathing issues.

I have both a midwife and an OB and have expressed my desire to labor down verbally as well as in my birthplan. Our hospital is really great and has birthing tubs, squat bars, and birthing balls, so all of the tools are there.

I'm just hoping to be able to manage the day of since everything from coughing to rolling over in bed causes pain to radiate throughout my ribs. I'm far less concerned at this point with the actual contractions.  LOL.