Definition
The ribs are curved bones, arranged in pairs, which reach from the spine to the front of the sternum. In humans there are a total of 12 pairs of ribs. (see anatomy of the ribs) Pain in the ribs can arise and occur in different ways.
Painful ribs are typical, for example during pregnancy. As a rule, these are harmless complaints. In rare cases, however, it can also be a complication of pregnancy, which requires extensive medical therapy and observation. Usually, the complaints are caused by overloading the muscles and other structures and organs that are in close proximity to the ribs. Due to the growth of the embryo during pregnancy, pain occurs especially from the second half of the pregnancy onwards, which is due to a lack of space.
Causes
The causes for the occurrence of painful ribs during pregnancy can be very different. Often the embryo, which takes up more and more space, is indirectly responsible for the pain. This leads to a stretching of the rib cage and thus to an overstraining of the abdominal muscles.
Since these muscles are directly attached to the ribs, this strain can lead to painful ribs during pregnancy. It is also possible that the ever-increasing size of the uterus puts pressure on certain organs in the body and thus causes the discomfort. For example, if it presses on the liver and the gall bladder, this can lead to very severe pain in the area of the right upper abdomen and the ribs.
Even if the child moves, organs can be affected for a short time and cause pain. In about 0.3-0.8% of all pregnancies the so-called HELLP syndrome can occur. For reasons not yet clarified, this syndrome leads to changes in various blood parameters and, as a consequence, to liver damage. One symptom of this syndrome is usually severe pain in the area of the right ribs. Since this syndrome can be very dangerous, especially for the child, immediate delivery is usually indicated.
