This is a bizarre question, but I hope someone can help!?

Question

So I have had this pain on my rib or in the muscle just under my rib cage since I've been pregnant. Research that I've done says that its pretty common in pregnant women, but there is no real cure (its supposed to be an inflamation of the rib linning where it meets the sternum) -- anyway... one website suggested using thermacare heat pad thingies on the site to help relax the muscle. So the two nights that I have done this, I have woken up with terrible acid reflux (I know that heartburn and stuff is common with pregnancy...) -- the kind where you wake up choking on your own vomit or bile or whatever gross thing it could be... know what I'm talking about?

So - do you think that it could be the head pads relaxing that syphincter muscle to a point where it is allowing my stomach acids to escape? I wear the pad in the late afternoon into evening beause that's when the pain is worse.

Thoughts? Anything will be helpful -- its just so gross and I'm losing sleep! Thanks!!

I realize there is an anal syphincter. There is also one at the top of the stomach seperating your stomach from your esophagus (sp?) -- this is what keeps your stomach acid in.

I have visited with my doctor about the rib pain, no diagnosis. Just chalked up to pregnancy! : <

The diaphram helps you breath - it has nothing to do with your stomach. Thanks though.

No worries - I'm not sleeping with the pad on... I do follow the directions. I'm not following website medical advice - it was just other pregnant women. I have seen a doctor. Thank you for the general concern, but I assure you that I am very medically conscientious and consult with my md as well as take homeopathic routes.

Thanks prairie dog. very helpful. try reading the details.

Answer 1

I love when people who have no knowledge of what the person asking the question is actually talking about feel the need to make smart@$$ remarks.

Yes, there IS a sphincter in your stomach. As well as exiting your lungs and many many other places.

sphincter defined:
A ringlike muscle that normally maintains constriction of a body passage or orifice and that relaxes as required by normal physiological functioning.

As far as your question. You should point out this pain to your doctor, just to be on the safe side and makes sure the pain you are feeling is really what you think it's from. I had this pain starting at about 6 months, and it last until the day i delivered , sometimes leaning over would ease it, but nothing ever really made it go away.

Therma care pads do NOT get hot enough to harm your baby.(though you should check to be sure they don't contain a chemical the can be absorbed through the skin and harm the baby) neither will taking a warm bath . That is an outdated wives tale. Think about it , if it was THAT easy to warm a fetus, all of us who live in Florida , in the summer,would be in serious trouble , now wouldn't we. The baby is submersed in fluid, which helps protect him/her from becoming too hot or too cold.

It's hard to say whether or not the pads could be related to the reflux, that depends highly on your own body's sensitivity. If you notice it becoming worse with the pads, try not using one , and if it gets better I'd avoid them. If it doesn't, be sure to mention this to your doctor, while heart burn is common during pregnancy, I'm not sure if reflux that severe is. Try elevating your pillow when you sleep. That may help. Avoid spicy foods if they seem to set it off, or anything else that does for that matter.

Answer 2

I don't think the thermacare pads are related to the reflux. Maybe if you were putting them right on top of where your esophagus and stomach meet, but you are putting them on your ribs. You might try a dose of Mylanta or something similar before bed (my doctor says Mylanta and Maalox are OK) and sleeping with your head elevated. Also, you might consider eating a smaller dinner earlier in the evening. I have the rib pain on my right side, and really the only thing that is helping me is resting on my left side or applying slight pressure to the ache.

Answer 3

unfortunately acid reflux will happen with or without the heat pads. I had a pain under my ribs for about two weeks but it was my baby bruising me when he kicked ... I smeared some icy hot on it before bed and eventually it went away.

But no i dont think that muscle is relaxing because of the heat pads. First off that muscle is deep inside your body ... secondly its not like a regular muscle -- it contracts on its own not because your moving. try popping a few tums or mylanta even before bed. PLUS if that does not work sleep sitting slightly up...that usually helps my acid reflux from spilling out.

Answer 4

I had the same rib pain and kept my hand pressed on it all the time. It even went numb in that spot after awhile. I never really found anything that helped although it was always better after sleeping at night and got progressively worse as I sat at work all day. Just hang in there. You could try a chiropractor to see if they could help.

Answer 5

Sounds like you are dealing with two diffrent problems that may not even be related. Take the pad off and see if the acid reflux goes away.

Answer 6

Never experienced anything like this with 3 pregnancies - just morning sickness for about 3 months. I hope you are under the care of an OB/GYN. This should be checked out. Even if someone here were a doctor, a good examination could not be performed over the net.

Answer 7

Well first I would abandon those heating pad things. Those are really bad for you during pregnancy becuase it raises your body temp and that isn't good. It can hurt the baby. Then I would talk to your doc. You could have something seriously wrong. But it is normal to have all kinds of aches and pains when you are pregnant.

Answer 8

You may be getting a hiatal hernia, as many pregnant women do.

The ring of muscle that clenches around the neck of the stomach may not close properly or close in the wrong stop, allow this reflux.

Talk to your obgyn

Answer 9

I had this exact problem for the last 4 months or so of my pregnancy...it was HORRIBLE! I didn't do anything for the pain...just suffered through. GOod luck!

Answer 10

Maybe you're going through a state of... depression. Go see your school counselor. They can help you ease your mind, and sometimes give you the answers you seek.