Ouch! Could that have been heartburn?

[Sadie Lake]

It has been a very stressful last few days... my dog was sick and spent 2 days at the emergency vet which ended up costing us $1100. We're starting a deck out back today so I had to coordinate getting the materials delivered around vet appts and other things. -insert sigh...

But, a little background...

The last few months when baby's butt was straight up, I've been getting this really sore spot that feels like a bruise that someone is digging their thumb into about 3'' down from my sternum.

Yesterday I had a super sharp pain off and on all day right there. It was especially sensitive to the touch, to the point of making me cringe. Then during the night last night, baby was super squirmy and when she would brush against that spot, I would get a shooting pain that would wrap around a little bit around the back of my ribcage. My whole body would tense up until it passed. It was so bad that I almost got up and went to the ER. If my intuition had been more alarmed, I probably would have.

This morning its not gone completely but its definitely better. I'm wondering now if it was just really severe heartburn? What does severe heartburn feel like for you? I always thought it was pain under the sternum our really close to it. This was down a few inches. Do you think that's what it could have been?

Sadie

[lotus.blossom]

so sorry about the dog and your pain!! Whats wrong with your pup?

Doesn't sound like heartburn to me. That is more of a burning up to the back of your throat. It may be a muscle or nerve. A lof of those rib muscles wrap from front to back. Hope it feels better!

[j_p_i]

No, it doesn't sound like heartburn to me either. For me, heartburn is unmistakable. A burning in your throat, and yes a pain in your chest but it's one that (for me at least) burns for a few seconds and then dissipates.

I have heard that when babes get bigger (like ours must be now) that they can put pressure on different nerves and even pinch them. Like April said, maybe that's what you are experiencing? I have also experienced similar sharp pain under my ribs/sternum (usually on one side) at times - like a gas bubble was trapped there. That could be it too, it sounds mundane but is actually really painful! And it lasts about a day and a half for me, and is sore after that. Our insides are pushed and squished up, so that might be it too.

Sorry about the pain mama! And about your dog, hope everything is okay!

[Limabean1975]

Definitely does not sound like heartburn! Sounds to me like baby is pressing against a rib, shifting it, and either causing joint pain or a muscle spasm in the intercostals (muscles between the ribs). You may (or may not!) find relief by taking deep breaths or by raising your arms to shoulder height or even up over your head.