UNDER LEFT BREAST

I’m 25 weeks pregnant, and just after going into the second trimester, I started feeling pain under my left breast that hasn’t gone away. It usually starts when I stand for a long time or when I sleep on my side. It only goes away when I sleep on my back. Now I’m worried, because I heard that pregnant women shouldn’t lie/sleep on their backs from the second trimester, but that’s the only position I’m comfortable with. The pain is so uncomfortable. I no longer enjoy lying down. Is there anything I can do or take to alleviate it?

This is a very common complaint of pregnancy and involves the ribs and muscles of your ribcage. In the second or third trimester you may experience sore or painful ribs on your left, right or both sides – which can range from mild discomfort to extreme pain.

It’s caused by pressure from the top of your growing uterus, as well as baby kicking or punching the area. Sore ribs are usually on the side of the baby’s position and can be felt just below the breasts. Usually this pain is worse when sitting and leaning forward. Once your baby drops (usually between 36 and 38 weeks), things will improve. Here are some suggestions to ease your discomfort until your baby moves lower.

Make yourself as comfortable as possible by wearing loose-fitting clothes. Support yourself with cushions when lying down. Sit up straight, and don’t hunch over – bad posture is a cause of this discomfort. Avoid sitting for too long; get up and take regular stretch breaks or short walks. Use heat packs or cold packs, and do exercises that help you stretch out and support your body. Try sitting in a cross-legged position and place your hands on your ribcage. Inhale as deeply as you can, and expand your ribcage, and then breathe out slowly. Do this at least eight times during the day to relieve the heaviness that you feel. Also try the following stretch: stand facing a wall, with your feet 40cm from the wall, and cross your arms in front of your face. Then lean your crossed arms on the wall, slide them up the wall above your head, and stretch yourself up as far as possible. Hold the position for as long as comfortable. This lifts the diaphragm and ribcage up off the uterus and provides huge temporary relief. Lying on your back is not as dangerous as it is made out to be, as you move a lot during sleep.

I suggest you place a flattish pillow under the right side of your back, so that you are slightly tipped to one side. This will alleviate pressure on the major blood vessels that run behind your uterus.