OUCH! Terrible Rib pain and Root Canal!

[mtnsunshinemama]

My DH and I are a mess today! Early this morning I started having some bad pain in my left side and it hasn't gotten much better. I'm not a wimp either, but I was crying this afternoon because I can't lie down on either side without a lot of pain. My midwife says it is likely the intercostal muscles being stretched beyong normal with this growing babe, it is like a muscle strain or tear and will just take time to heal. Baby is still head down, so that's not it, luckily. I'll check in with my chiro on Monday and maybe that will help but WAaaah! I'm over-emotional and now just hoping this will heal quickly and I don't have to deal with it in labor, it hurts to do just about anything but sit up straight,How will I sleep?? Some ice on it tonite has helped. Anyone else deal with this? I need support!
If that wasn't enough, my caretaker, support person, DH is suffering himself with tooth/jaw pain that the on-call dentist thinks sounds like a root canal..What timing!( selfish me says, imagining him drugged up or in pain himself during labor.) I sure hope it doesn't come to that! Poor guy, I do feel for him! But I hope he'll be available to usher in his son!

[EStreetMama]

Uh-oh!!!! Sounds like a lot of pain over there! I'm sorry...I have no info to offer about your side pain--just sympathy and hope that you both improve quickly. Of course it's Friday too--I wish you could get to the chiropractor sooner.

I would feel the same way about DH having a medical issue right now--it REALLY is all about us right now--nothing should detract from that!

Take it very easy so if it's a muscle it can rest. But I had some HORRIBLE abdominal pains in the last few months that turned out to be intestinal gas that wasn't passing. I thought I was in labor or having kidney stones or something. It seems like all the scary things like preeclampsia and appendicitis are right-sided pain though.

Hang in there--keep an eye on it in case it's not a muscle.

I hope you feel much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--Adrienne

[mtnsunshinemama]

Thanks, Adrienne! You're sweet and the sympathy helps!

On a less whiny note, DH took us over to Bend Thursday to watch the Perseid meteor showers in the eastern sky. it ended up being cloudy but we had a great time anyway staying at the St Francis / McMenamins. They have a lovely turkish soaking pool,mmmmmm -loved it~ felt like we were on honeymoon!

Now back to an attempt ar sleep!

[nabigus]

Yikes, what a horrible thing to be facing in the home stretch! Major healing and sympathy vibes heading your way from this neck of the woods. Take it super easy, and I hope the pain passes soon.

[Mama Coltrane]

Oh no! Intercostal pain is so annoying. I got in a car accident while pregnant with my first and pulled those muscles. Gosh, take care and take it easy. Tylenol probably won't touch it, but maybe it will help a little?
Maybe you will have some time and not go into labor for a few days yet.
Oh, I hope you feel better. Keep us posted.
_ Kerri
- Hope DH recovers quickly after root canal.

[Yummymummy74]

Uck.. I have this pain often I commiserate with you! feels like my ribs are broken and my chest will explode open.. I am not a big person and I dont carry a large "bump" people think I look about 5-6 mos pregnant.. however I have these 9 pound babies so they really squish in there.

Hope it gets better

[Maggi315]

Hi,
I can sympathize, I am the one who fell down the steps and have a broken rib and bruised tailbone (and a nasty pubic separation, that hurts more than rib right now!) I find that water has been wonderful. Can you go to a pool? I soak in the bathtub too and set up our birthing tub the other night. The tub isn't as good as a pool or something where you can submerse your whole body.

also, what about ibuprofen? Or aleve? both with help with the pain and the inflammation. Also, arnica gel or arnica pellets help with the inflammation.

Good luck, hopefully none of us have that much longer!

[mtnsunshinemama]

Thanks ladies for your sympathies. I am actually feeling quite a bit better this morning and just slept for a couple hours laying down-hooray! I put lots of Arnica on yesterday and took it orally as well, and alternating hot/cold really helped. I am so out of the habit of taking any meds, I didn't even think of tylenol. No, I focused on not being able to take the painkillers we picked up for DH. I was really feeling sorry for myself, but the world is a brighter place again this morning and I'm sure I'll heal quickly and I really have no room to complain, I've had a relatively easy pg the whole time. I have things in perspective better today (so sorry for your tumble, Maggi) and the wallowing is over.
I know part of my funk was this huge fear I've had from the start that DH wouldn't be available somehow during labor, and it felt like it was coming true. Whether it's true or not, I'll have lots of support and I am a strong woman that can handle it by myself - right?? Right. Thanks again ladies!