Pain occurs in and under the ribs as your uterus grows. Later in pregnancy, your abdomen becomes stretched, and your uterus stretches upward as well as outward. Your pelvis and abdomen are becoming full, and your baby is beginning to press up under your ribs and chest. This upward pressure from your baby may also make you feel short of breath.

This pressure on your ribs and diaphragm may also result in shoulder pain, because there are nerves in the diaphragm which can refer pain into the shoulders. This pain can be very sharp! It may also result in indigestion or acid reflux as your baby puts the squeeze on your stomach.

Additionally, as your breast become larger, they also place pressure on your ribs. During pregnancy, your breasts may increase by one full cup size or more. The extra weight pulls your shoulders forward and down, and places strain on the upper back, neck, and often results in pain around the rib cage.

As your body prepares for the delivery of your baby, your hormones are hard at work loosening your muscles and ligaments. This loosening can allow your ribs to shift and move in ways that were not natural before, causing discomfort. Your ribcage is not only loosening, but expanding as well, not only to make room for your baby, but also to help increase your breathing and lung capacity. Even though you may be feeling short of breath, your body is taking in about forty percent more air than it did before you became pregnant.

Rib pain during pregnancy can cause the greatest discomfort when you are in a sitting position. Practicing good posture is especially important. Try to make sure that you sit up straight with your shoulders back. Slouching will compress your abdomen and result in more pain.

Try to wear loose clothing so that you do not add any extra pressure to your belly. Try getting a new bra. It is especially important to have a supportive bra that is not too tight. Under wire bras may put too much extra pressure on your ribs. Now may be a good time to invest in a good nursing bra. They usually offer nice support without being too tight and will be useful once your baby is born.

Holding your arms up over your head can take some pressure off and provide temporary relief from rib pain by lifting the ribs away from the uterus.

Practicing doorway chest stretches can also be helpful because they, too, will help rotate the shoulders up and back, which can also help lift the ribs away from the uterus.

Stretching and prenatal yoga are great for keeping your body long and loose. The less compressed you are, the less your rib cage will hurt. Breathing and relaxation exercises may also be effective. There are a variety of hands on techniques that can help to gently stretch and lift your ribs away from the uterus. Applying these techniques to your breasts, chest and abdomen, can really relieve a lot of pain and pressure from your body, though you will need a friend or partner to help you.

Scheduling a visit to your massage therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist, may also help provide relief from rib pain during pregnancy.

If you are having rib and flank pain that goes through to your back, and or burning or pain with urination, you should contact your health care provider. This could be an indication of a urinary tract infection.

Many women experience swollen feet and ankles during pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters. This swelling of the feet is known as edema.

What Causes Swollen Feet?

Poor circulation and water retention is generally what causes swelling in the feet.  Your lower body is under a tremendous amount of pressure as your baby grows.   You have large arteries and veins that travel through your pelvis down your legs, and the increasing size of your belly puts pressure on them, slowing your circulation and making it more difficult for your body to return blood and fluid up from your legs.

Your center of gravity also changes, shifting your weight differently on your feet, which adds extra tensions and helps trap fluid.

Swollen legs, feet, and ankles, are considered fairly normal during pregnancy.  Many women develop edema during their pregnancy, and this does resolve on its own following child birth.

You may find your feet swelling more quickly during the summer on hot days, later in your pregnancy, and towards the end of the day.

Your feet and ankles may not only swell, they may have a tendency to take on a purplish color.

How Can I Ease My Swollen Feet?

There are a number of things you can do to help minimize the amount of swelling in your feet.  You can decrease edema by remaining active.  Exercise helps move fluids, and can reduce inflamed feet, but be sure to engage in gentler types of exercises.  Walking or swimming are particularly good exercises you can do, and you may find yoga to be helpful as well.  Flexing and rotating your feet and ankles regularly throughout the day, keeping your joints mobile will help the fluid to move.

Be sure to drink plenty of water.  Keeping your body well hydrated will improve your circulation.

Wear comfortable shoes which are supportive, but not tight.  Proper support of your feet will help keep your feet from aching. Avoid wearing shoes with heels or shoes that are tight, and avoid wearing tight socks that could constrict your circulation.

Try to take breaks throughout the day and elevate your feet.  When elevating your feet, it is important to get your feet up higher than your waist.  This will allow gravity to gently help improve your circulation and the blood flow back up your legs.

You may want to try wearing support panty hose.  It is important to wear the type of support hose that goes from the toe all the way up to the belly.  Ankle, calf or thigh high hose will not force the fluids up high enough, and could restrict the circulation rather than help it.

Reducing salt intake can be helpful.  You should not eliminate all salt from your diet, some salt does help balance your fluids, just be sure you are not eating salt in excess.

Soaking your feet in cool water may provide some temporary relief.

When lying down, be sure to lay on your left side with a pillow placed between your knees.  This will help encourage better circulation.

If possible, try to avoid standing for prolonged periods of time.  Edema can become notably worse in the evenings, after a long day of being on your feet.  If you must sit at a desk for work, try to take more frequent breaks to stand and stretch and wiggle your toes, and avoid crossing your legs as it causes reduced circulation.

While some swelling during pregnancy is considered normal, if you have swelling that comes on very suddenly or excessively, swelling that is only in one leg, or swelling of the face, be sure to call your doctor right away.  That could be a sign of  a more severe problem.

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Sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy can cause a great deal of discomfort.  The sciatic nerve travels out from the spine, through the buttocks and down the legs all the way to the foot.

Because it runs under the uterus, sciatic pain, also called sciatica,  may be caused by your growing baby putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.

What Does Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy Feel Like?

Sciatic nerve pain can vary in intensity.  You may feel pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensations.  Because the sciatic nerve spans all the way to the foot, you may feel pain, numbness, tingling or discomfort along the leg and possibly into your feet and toes.

What Treatment is there for Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy

You may be able to alleviate some discomfort by trying some of the following suggestions:

• Avoid prolonged sitting if possible
• Lie down on your side opposite the pain to take pressure off the nerve
• Try taking frequent short walks
• Moist heat or cold compresses may help alleviate discomfort.
• Ask your physician about taking an over the counter pain reliever.

If your sciatica pain becomes constant or severe, you should seek the help of  your healthcare provider.

Because sciatic pain in pregnancy is generally caused by pressure from your baby, you may also find relief from manual stretches that gently help alleviate the pressure of your baby on your pelvis.  To learn how to do these stretches, please visit PregnancyPainRelief.com

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Causes of Headaches During Pregnancy

• Hormones- hormonal changes during pregnancy can trigger headaches and migraines.
• Lower blood pressure in first trimester- During the first trimester you blood pressure may be diminished, causing headaches due to decreased blood flow.
• Preeclampsia- Preeclampsia a complication of pregnancy that occurs after the 20th week, but more frequently in the last month. It can cause swelling, visual disturbances, high blood pressure, severe headaches, and protein in the urine. If it is late in your pregnancy and you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms contact your doctor.
• Stress- physical and emotional upheaval and stress can cause tension headaches.
• Sinusitis- sinus pain, colds, and allergies can cause headaches during pregnancy. Frequently, allergy sufferers report that their allergies intensify during pregnancy.
• Fatigue- experienced often during pregnancy can cause a headache to develop.
• Anemia- iron is important during pregnancy. Symptoms of anemia (low iron) include feeling tired, having headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and indigestion.
• Migraine- Migraine different than a headache, a migraine is more severe. It causes debilitating, throbbing headaches and can cause nausea, vision changes such as blurring and flashing lights, sensitivity to light and noise and intense pain.
• Caffeine withdrawal- If you have eliminated or cut down your caffeine intake since discovering you are pregnant, this can result in withdrawal headaches for several days.
• Blood Sugar changes- pregnancy can cause changes to your blood sugar and metabolism. Be sure to eat right and snack every few hours and consume adequate amounts of protein.

Preventing Headaches During Pregnancy

• Be sure to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can frequently cause headaches.
• Exercise regularly.
• Practice stress relieving techniques.
• If you are planning to decrease caffeine intake, do so slowly to prevent withdrawal reactions.
• Sinus headaches can be aided by application of warm compresses on the front and sides of the face and around the nose, eyes and temples.
• Tension headaches can be aided with cold compresses on the back of the neck and forehead.
• Get plenty of rest to prevent fatigue.
• Eat frequent small meals to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

When to Call Your Doctor

• Your headaches are severe or accompanied by visual disturbances or swelling.
• Your headaches is accompanied by fever.
• You are having spotting or bleeding.

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Back pain is extremely common during pregnancy. As a matter of fact, 50-70% of pregnant women experience back pain at some point during their pregnancy. Although it can occur at any point between conception and childbirth, it is most frequently troublesome late in a pregnancy. There are things that can be done to help manage back pain.

Causes of Back Pain During Pregnancy

• Implantation- Many women experience low back pain during early pregnancy when the newly formed embryo implants into your uterus. This can cause aching pain and cramping in your back.
• Hormonal Changes- When you are expecting, your body produces a wide variety of hormones, one of which is called relaxin. Relaxin’s job is to relax and loosen the tissues of your body in order to help prepare for childbirth. This causes shifting of the joints and laxity in the muscles and ligaments that normally support your body and your spine, resulting in discomfort.
  
• Changes to Your Posture- Your body is growing and changing each day. Your belly is growing and stretching along with the fetus that is inside. This causes the muscles and bones in your body to readjust in new and different ways. Your spine curves backward to compensate for a shift in your center of gravity as your abdomen protrudes. This can cause pressure and tension in your spine.
• Weight gain- As your baby grows your weight increases and your back gets strained from supporting the extra weight.
• Improper Bending- Heavy lifting, twisting, bending, and prolonged sitting can make your back hurt. You can prevent back pain by being aware of how you stand, sit and move.
• Stress- Stress adds tension to the body and can contribute to pain anywhere. With the extra pressure that pregnancy places on your spine, the back is a very common place to experience stress tension. Try out some of our stress relieving tips.

Preventing Back Pain Before it Begins

• The following are things you can do to reduce the amount of back pain you are experiencing. Sometimes it is not possible to eliminate pain completely, but the following tips can help dramatically.
• Practice good posture- Stand with your hips and pelvis tucked in and your shoulders back and head up.
• When sleeping or resting, lie on your side with your knees and hips bent. Try placing a pillow between your knees and one under your belly. This can help take pressure off your low back. There are also some great pregnancy pillows that can help make you more comfortable.
• Wear good shoes. Heels and unsupportive shoes can contribute to spinal discomfort.
• When you sit, elevate your feet slightly. Try to take breaks from sitting at least every half hour. Don’t cross your legs.
• Practice safe lifting and bending. To lower your body, bend at the knees instead of the waist. Use your thigh muscles to push yourself back up without using your back.
• Try a pregnancy support belt.
• If you will be standing for extended periods of time, try to keep one of your feet elevated on a low stool.
• Exercise regularly to support and strengthen your back.
• Pregnancy massage(prenatal massage) is excellent for keeping your body loose and free of pain.
• Get your partner or friend to practice hands on pregnancy pain relief techniques on your body.
• Chiropractic visits can help prevent back pain.
• Acupunture can help keep you balanced and prevent you from aching
• Prenatal Yoga can help keep your body loose and comfortable.
• Be sure you are getting adequate Calcium and Magnesium in your diet
• Drink plenty of fluids

Treatment for Back Pain During Pregnancy

• Use ice or heat.
• Take acetaminophen for pain.
• See a chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist.
• Use a pregnancy belt or support device.
• When lying down use a pregnancy pillow.
• Have your partner help you with hands on techniques such as those in the Pregnancy Pain Relief Book.
• Herbal Medicine.
• Take a warm bath

When You Should Call Your Doctor

• Your back pain is very intense.
• Your back pain is getting increasingly worse or you have sudden stabbing pain.
• You have rhythmic back pain that feels like menstrual cramps.

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Round ligament pain is very common during pregnancy. It causes sharp pain that radiates in the abdominal or hip area and can also refer pain into the groin and legs. The pain may be on one side or both sides and can be intensified by movement. This is not considered a cause for concern.

Causes of Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

The round ligaments help to support the uterus. During pregnancy your uterus expands and places strain on your round ligament. This can produce a great deal of discomfort with sharp twinges between your hip bone and uterus. Movements such as coughing, sneezing or laughing activate these muscles quickly and can cause pain. Generally this pain is brief in duration.

Preventing Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

• Practice prenatal yoga and regular stretching.
• Get rest.



• Use techniques such as those in the Pregnancy Pain Relief book.
• Be sure to drink plenty of water.
• Make sure you are getting adequate calcium and magnesium in your diet.
• If you know you are going to sneeze or cough bend and flex your hips. There will be less strain on the round ligament if you are bent.
• Try bringing your knees up toward your chest.
• Change positions slowly to prevent the ligaments from contracting as much.
• Use a pregnancy pillow at night to help relax your body as much as possible.

Treatment for Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

• See a massage therapist, chiropractor or acupuncturist.
• Take a warm bath.
• Pregnancy Pain relief techniques.
• Try a pregnancy support belt.

When You Should Call Your Doctor

• Your pain lasts for prolonged time periods.
• Your round ligament pain is accompanied by bleeding or spotting.

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Rib pain is common during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. As the baby grows and fills up your abdomen it begins to put pressure on your ribs and chest, causing pain and shortness of breath. Though you may feel short of breath, your body is actually breathing 40-50 percent more air than before you were expecting. Your rib cage is widening as well. As your baby begins to drop preparing for delivery (called lightening), you may find rib pain and shortness of breath will ease.

Causes of Rib Pain During Pregnancy

• Pressure from your baby- Your baby is growing and pressing up on your ribcage. It is not uncommon to experience discomfort, heaviness, and feeling short of breath.
• Pressure from your breasts- Your breasts are growing and becoming heavier. As your pregnancy progresses you most likely will grow one or more bra sizes. This extra weight from your breasts pulls on your shoulders and upper back and weighs on your rib cage.
• Hormones- Hormones cause a loosening of all your muscles and ligaments including those in your upper back and ribs.
• Pressure on your diaphragm- As your baby gets bigger in will nest just under your rib cage, putting pressure on your diaphragm making breathing more difficult. There are also several nerves in your diaphragm which can refer pain into your ribs and shoulders.
• Stress- contributes to tension, anxiety, shortness of breath, shoulder pain and other pain.
• Urinary Tract Infection- you may feel pain in your ribs due to a urinary infection. If you are experiencing rib and flank pain with kidney discomfort or difficulty urinating, painful urination or burning with urination contact your doctor.

Preventing Rib Pain During Pregnancy

• Exercise and do regular stretching.
• Practice Yoga.
• Use Pregnancy Pain Relief techniques to loosen your body and take pressure off of your ribs, breasts and abdomen.
• Try a new bra- be sure to get one that is very supportive, but not too tight. Under wire bras may press on your ribs and aggravate pain.
• Wear loose clothing.
• Be aware of your posture- sit up straight with your shoulders back and head up. Slouching will aggravate pain.
• Practice prenatal Yoga.
• Hold your arms over your head to expand your rib cage.
• Do breathing exercises.
• Use a pregnancy pillow for sleeping.
• When resting, try laying on your left side or you can relax with your arms extended above your head.

Treatment for Rib Pain During Pregnancy

• See a massage therapist, chiropractor or acupuncturist
• Practice Stress Relieving Techniques.
• Take acetaminophen for pain.
• Use Pregnancy Pain Relief Techniques

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Early pregnancy can cause cramping or stretching feelings in your pelvis and abdomen. You may feel achy in your lower abdomen. This is generally normal and related to implantation and stretching of the uterus.

Causes of Pelvic Pain and Cramps During Pregnancy

• Implantation- when the fetus implants and begins to grow inside your uterus it is common to experience some cramping similar to menstrual cramps.
• Hormones- As your uterus expands and your body produces hormones to make your muscles, ligaments and tissues more elastic you may experience cramping, pulling, and painful twinges in your abdomen.
• Urinary tract infection- Pelvic pain and cramping can be caused by urinary infections. Be especially aware of any burning sensation while urinating, difficult or frequent urination and pain in the kidney area in your back.
• Orgasm- can cause cramping and contractions in the uterus. This is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern unless the cramping lasts for a prolonged period of time. Orgasms normally cause contractions of the uterus, but while pregnant your uterus is larger and more sensitive and you feel it more.
• Ectopic Pregnancy- ectopic pregnancy is when the embryo implants somewhere outside of the uterus, generally in one of the fallopian tubes. If you are experiencing spotting or bleeding together with your cramping early in your pregnancy, contact your doctor.

Treatment for Pelvic Pain and Cramping During Pregnancy

• Take a warm bath.
• Be sure to exercise.
• Walk around. Movement can be helpful.
• Take acetaminophen for pain.

When You Should Call Your Doctor

• You are having urinary urgency or burning on urination.
• Your pain is severe.
• Your pain is accompanied by spotting or bleeding.

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Many women suffer with pregnancy back pain at night. This type of night back pain in pregnancy is called nocturnal back pain. You may have it on its own, or concurrently with low back or sacroiliac pain.

There are a couple of different theories as to why night back pain develops during pregnancy. One theory is that it is caused by muscle fatigue from being active all day. By the end of the day, your body becomes more fatigued, and thus you feel more discomfort toward the evening hours.

The second theory is that nocturnal back pain is due to water retention. This can lead to edema and an increased volume of blood. This additional water in the body can place pressure on the spinal nerves and muscles, resulting in backaches.

Some women have very severe back pain while sleeping during their pregnancy. The most important thing you can do is to avoid sleeping on your back during pregnancy. Lying on your back, or in the supine position, compresses major arteries and veins, namely the inferior vena cava and the aorta. This decreases circulation and allows fluid pressure to build up in the pelvis, which places pressure on the spinal nerves.

As your fetus grows, it also puts more and more pressure on your arteries and veins. The farther along you are in your pregnancy, the more important it is to avoid sleeping on your back. The healthiest sleeping position for you and your baby is on your sides. Resting on your left side will place the least amount of pressure on your spine.

In addition to side sleeping, supporting the uterus can help alleviate night back pain. To properly support your uterus, lay on your side with pillows under your abdomen and between your legs. This will help to support your uterus and keep your spine in a neutral position. There are several wonderful pregnancy pillows that can help to make sleeping much more comfortable.

It is also important to make special efforts during the day to adjust your posture in ways that will help prevent muscle fatigue. Be sure to take frequent breaks from standing or sitting. If you must sit or stand for long periods of time, elevate one foot on a low stool or foot rest. Also, wear good, supportive shoes, and avoid wearing high heeled shoes, which place extra strain on the

It is also possible to manage pregnancy back pain at night by maintaining a regular exercise program. Regular exercise will help strengthen and support the spine, therefore helping to minimize strain and muscle fatigue. Exercise and postural adjustments will help to minimize night time back pain, but may not completely prevent it.

Many women find pain relief in alternative approaches such as acupuncture and massage therapy, though this relief may be only temporary. There are a variety of gentle hands on techniques that can be performed at home, which are also beneficial for relieving pregnancy related back pain.

Unfortunately, anti-inflammatory medications such as motrin, advil, and aspirin are contraindicated during pregnancy. The only pain reliever considered safe during pregnancy is acetaminophen.

Soaking in a hot tub or whirlpool is not recommended during pregnancy. You may however find a warm, not hot, bath can soothe your sore back. Try adding Epsom salt to a warm bath to help relieve pain.

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Low back pain or lumbar is extremely common during pregnancy. As a matter of fact, 50-70% of pregnant women experience back pain at some point during their pregnancy. Although it can occur at any point between conception and childbirth, it is most frequently troublesome late in a pregnancy. There are things that can be done to help manage back pain.

Causes of Back Pain During Pregnancy

• Implantation- Many women experience low back pain during early pregnancy when the newly formed embryo implants into your uterus. This can cause aching pain and cramping in your back.
• Hormonal Changes- When you are expecting, your body produces a wide variety of hormones, one of which is called relaxin. Relaxin’s job is to relax and loosen the tissues of your body in order to help prepare for childbirth. This causes shifting of the joints and laxity in the muscles and ligaments that normally support your body and your spine, resulting in discomfort.
• Changes to Your Posture- Your body is growing and changing each day. Your belly is growing and stretching along with the fetus that is inside. This causes the muscles and bones in your body to readjust in new and different ways. Your spine curves backward to compensate for a shift in your center of gravity as your abdomen protrudes. This can cause pressure and tension in your spine.
• Weight gain- As your baby grows your weight increases and your back gets strained from supporting the extra weight.
• Improper Bending- Heavy lifting, twisting, bending, and prolonged sitting can make your back hurt. You can prevent back pain by being aware of how you stand, sit and move.
• Stress- Stress adds tension to the body and can contribute to pain anywhere. With the extra pressure that pregnancy places on your spine, the back is a very common place to experience stress tension. Try out some of our stress relieving tips.

Preventing Lower Back Pain or Lumbar Pain Before it Begins

• The following are things you can do to reduce the amount of lower back pain you are experiencing. Sometimes it is not possible to eliminate pain completely, but the following tips can help dramatically.
• Practice good posture- Stand with your hips and pelvis tucked in and your shoulders back and head up.
• When sleeping or resting, lie on your side with your knees and hips bent. Try placing a pillow between your knees and one under your belly. This can help take pressure off your low back. There are also some great pregnancy pillows that can help make you more comfortable.
• Wear good shoes. Heels and unsupportive shoes can contribute to spinal discomfort.
• When you sit, elevate your feet slightly. Try to take breaks from sitting at least every half hour. Don’t cross your legs.
• Practice safe lifting and bending. To lower your body, bend at the knees instead of the waist. Use your thigh muscles to push yourself back up without using your back.
• Try a pregnancy support belt.
• If you will be standing for extended periods of time, try to keep one of your feet elevated on a low stool.
• Exercise regularly to support and strengthen your back.
• Pregnancy massage(prenatal massage) is excellent for keeping your body loose and free of pain.
• Get your partner or friend to practice hands on pregnancy pain relief techniques on your body.
• Chiropractic visits can help prevent back pain.
• Acupuncture can help keep you balanced and prevent you from aching
• Prenatal Yoga can help keep your body loose and comfortable.
• Be sure you are getting adequate Calcium and Magnesium in your diet
• Drink plenty of fluids

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