I am 35 weeks pregnant, and I am pretty sure I cracked a rib during a severe coughing spell. I tried to get into the doctor today, but she didn't have an openings. From what I've read on the internet, however, it doesn't sound like a doctor would do much for it besides tell me to take tylenol, which I am already doing.
I have two questions: 1) Is there any point in me going to see a doctor? I'll see my OB-GYN in one week, so I'll definitely talk to her about it then, but I'm already missing a lot of work between my doctors appointments and sick kids, so I'd prefer not to go in, if they can't help me. I am in a lot of pain, but at this stage in the pregnancy, I'm not sure I can take anything stronger than Tylenol.
2) How bad will it be to have a cracked rib during labor and delivery? I know women sometimes get cracked ribs from their babies, but moving at all hurts so much right now that I'm a little worried about what it would be like during delivery. I do plan on getting an epidural, so hopefully that will help a lot. Any words of experience would be appreciated!
Thanks!
I ended up going in to see the doctor ... everytime I coughed, the ribs would grind together, then I'd get muscle spasms throughout my side and back. Anyway, it is fractured, and the doctor gave me some asthma medicine (which I should have already been taking, but I'm foolishly stubborn about), some cough syrup, and tylenol with codeine. The tylenol with codeine is category C which I usually try to avoid, so I'll try to either avoid using it or use it just if I'm desperate. I definitely feel better having gone in. Thanks for your advice!
So sorry - late pregnancy is so hard sometimes!
I do think that it would be the right thing to do to talk to your doctor. It could cause you problems during delivery and the doctor will need to know why you have pain.
Maybe MORE important, if this ISN'T what is wrong, then the doctor needs to know that too.
There's no point in NOT telling your doctor. He or she is here to help you.
Dawn
I haven't had that experience personally, but I do recommend following up on this. The majority of cracked ribs heal on their own, but a smaller percentage can be linked to lung damage or can trigger a significant infection, and obviously you don't want to go there.
You could also have a secondary problem associated with this cracked rib during labor, but the epidural would mask it until later -- again, really not what you want.
The greatest likelihood is that everything is fine, but there's enough of a risk of complications that honestly, you really should be seen. Doesn't have to be today, but ask them to squeeze you in this week.
I know several people who have cracked ribs due to coughing, however they weren't pregnant at the time.
I tend to be fragile and broke my 4th rib (in my chest) just getting up off the couch. My son heard the crack all the way on the other end of the couch. I felt like I'd been shot and I couldn't breathe.
Cracked or broken ribs are extremely painful. Fortunately for me, I worked at the hospital so radiologoy just called my extension when they had an opening so I didn't have to wait.
My doctor wrapped me, but I took it off because it only added to the feeling that I couldn't breathe. He gave me some vicodin so I could try to sleep at night. Other than that, the only thing that gave me any relief was a heating pad on my chest.
Definitely call your doctor to let them know you suspect you cracked a rib. They should be able to call you back with further feedback prior to your appointment.
Best wishes.
Oh my I know your pain. I've had a broken rib and a cracked rib but not while pregnant.
Per my experiences, there's not much the Dr can do and I would certainly check with the Dr if you need stringer meds.
The last time for me was a cracked rib in Juky thanks to the mammogram not properly done. Ouch. It took a solid 6 weeks before I felt better and about 10 weeks before I moved comfortably.
If I were you, I'd probably call the Dr so he had a heads up on your situation.
I've done hot baths and heating pads but I can't recommend that if you are pregnant. Ask Dr about any treatments. Best wishes.
I had the same thing happen but I had a little more time to heal. I would say just wait until OB appointment. You are correct, I was told the same thing, just rest and Tylenol. But I feel for you! I slept in a reclining chair for a couple weeks and then back into bed because I needed some better sleep. I would ask the OB about the epidural but rest it as much as possible right now. I think the epidural is more waist down but may still help.
I got bronchitis when I was about 34 weeks pregnant and I feel sure I cracked a rib during a coughing fit. No way to know for sure since they weren't going to x-ray me, but I talked to my obgyn and he said it was quite possible, but that there's wasn't anything you could do (even if you're not pg there's not anything you can do other than pain meds). I just had to suck it up. Fortunately they heal in a few weeks, so if you go to full term, you probably won't have any pain when you deliver. But the epidural can sure take care of any residual pain! Good luck!
