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Effects Of Costochondritis On Pregnancy
Im a 30 yr old female, and I was told I had costocondritis over a year ago. It used to get worse when I work out. I am 7 months pregnant, and it still hurts pretty bad, and I can t take anything. Does the losening od joints that come with pregnancy make this condition worse? How long do people normaly have this?
Mon, 21 Sep 2015
Hello, and I hope I can answer your question today.
Being pregnant stretches the attachment of your abdominal muscles to your ribs, so it is not unusual for it to get worse when you are pregnant.
It is true that antiinflammatory pain relievers are not recommended during pregnancy, but Acetominophen (Tylenol) or paracetamol can be safely taken at the normal adult dosage for any type of pain during pregnancy.
If you cannot get relief from oral medications, or for additonal comfort, it is safe to use either cold (an ice pack) or moist heat, whichever you find works better, on your upper abdomen. The baby is well insulated and will not be harmed. 20 minutes on and twenty minutes off is the recommend way to use a hot or cold pack.
The good news is that this should improve once the baby is born. Using a girdle or back support may make your belly hang less and also reduce pulling on your rib cage.
I hope this advice was helpful and that you feel better.
Best wishes for the rest of the pregnancy, Dr. Brown
Being pregnant stretches the attachment of your abdominal muscles to your ribs, so it is not unusual for it to get worse when you are pregnant.
It is true that antiinflammatory pain relievers are not recommended during pregnancy, but Acetominophen (Tylenol) or paracetamol can be safely taken at the normal adult dosage for any type of pain during pregnancy.
If you cannot get relief from oral medications, or for additonal comfort, it is safe to use either cold (an ice pack) or moist heat, whichever you find works better, on your upper abdomen. The baby is well insulated and will not be harmed. 20 minutes on and twenty minutes off is the recommend way to use a hot or cold pack.
The good news is that this should improve once the baby is born. Using a girdle or back support may make your belly hang less and also reduce pulling on your rib cage.
I hope this advice was helpful and that you feel better.
Best wishes for the rest of the pregnancy, Dr. Brown
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