Hi all,

I’m 26 weeks pregnant, but have been experiencing this right side rib pain for the better part of the past 6 weeks. It started out mild, more like cramping and didn’t occur every day. Now it’s constant unless I’m deep into sleep. It radiates around my ribs to my back. It’s sharp and makes it difficult to do anything. It’s worse when I sit “properly” such as when I’m driving or whenever I’m standing. Now it’s constant even while lounging. The ONLY thing that ever helps in the slightest is stretching my right arm up over my head. It gives me relief for only a minute or two, if at all.

I try not to take medications while pregnant, but Tylenol doesn’t make a dent. Nor Tums.

A few weeks ago, my doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones, but it came back negative. I asked her to do blood work on my liver as well to test for bile acids/salts. That also came back within normal ranges. She prescribed me medication for acid reflux just to see if it worked, but it didn’t do anything.

I have a smaller frame. 5’2” and 120 pounds (now 135 at this stage of pregnancy).

Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I have no idea if it’s musculoskeletal, nerve-related, organ-related, etc. I’m hopeful that it isn’t dangerous for baby or me, but I would LOVE answers or effective pain management strategies.

Pregnancy is such an adventure 🤪