I have an ouchie...drop baby drop!

...a HUGE smile on my face. That's how I woke up this morning. I slept all night and life is great. Well, kind of. I did sleep all night but Dave is upset about my last blog starting with me waking up with tears so I started this blog just for him even though this blog is really for Vaughn when he gets older :). Gotta keep the daddy happy.

So what this post is really about - a few weeks ago at yoga, I felt a little snapping or popping under my right rib. Since then it's developed into a constant pain if I'm not fully stretched out. It almost feels like my rib is bruised. In addition to breathing being difficult, having sore ribs is the cherry on top.

I just got to say that the internet is a wonderful tool. I typed in "rib pain" and got a bunch of responses. (SIDE NOTE: Dave thought I said I was looking up rogaine in which he got a really sad look on his face. He thought I thought he needed to grow hair, but that's not the case at all. I love his hair!) I go to the doctor tomorrow so I'll ask him, but this is what I think I have:

Rib pain can range from mild to extremely sore and tender ribs and is usually felt on the right side, just below the breasts. Mainly occurring in the third trimester, it can be more painful when sitting. Rib pain is caused from the uterus pressing into the abdomen, squashing your ribs, as well as baby kicking or punching the area. The only real ways to help here are to make yourself as comfortable as possible by wearing lose fitting clothes and supporting yourself with cushions when lying down. The pain will likely subside when baby drops (into your pelvic cavity) in preparation for birth.

Here is a really effective exercise for temporary relief. Stand facing a wall. With your feet 40cms from the wall, cross your arms in front of your face. Then lean your crossed arms on the wall sliding them up the wall above your head and stretching yourself up as far as possible. Hold the position for as long as comfortable. This lifts the diaphragm and rib cage up off the uterus and really provides huge temporary relief, especially if the pain is caused by a breech baby’s hard little head wedged under your ribs.

I'm ready for the baby to drop. I hope this rib thing doesn't deter me from yoga. I did go yesterday and had some challenges. Today has been the worse pain though. We'll see how my week progresses.