What causes severe pain in ribs during 14th week of pregnancy?
Patient: 36 pregnant, 14th week, first child. 6ft 51kg As my hips seemed to have expanded an ribs seemed to have moved, my question is: is it medically possible that a older women who has had her bones set since going though puberty, can experience pain to the extreeme levels from the shifting of ribs. If so what treatment, exercise or medication could assit thw bone in the shifting?. Cheers Doctor: hi,    I understand your concern.  *  In pregnancy the pregnancy hormones cause softening of ligaments .. so pelvic & chest bones tend to expand due to development of fetus, overstretching of abdomen/ pelvis. This causes pain.   - In case of ribs.. the abdominal stretching is excessive due to gasses/ indigestion/ constipation. in 9th month.   - Similarly bony weakness due to calcium & vitamin D deficiency would increase the pain.  *  Though complete relief  from pain will be after delivery of baby, Some of the abdominal distension can be reduced to get some relief by-    - Taking small & multiple food servings,    - taking sufficient fibers in diet,    - drink lot of water ( 10-12 glasses ) in a day.     Continue exercise in form of walk for 20-30 minutes in a day. This will facilitate  food digestion/ excessive gas formation & bowel movements & offer some relief from pain.   - Consult your doctor for need of calcium / vitamin D supplement.   Thanks.