To ask how am I supposed to get comfortable at 36 weeks

[penelopesolivegarden]

36 weeks pregnant, first baby. Bump showed early and has been measuring big all pregnancy. Bump has definitely got a lot bigger in the last few days but still hasn't dropped. Standing is uncomfortable because I feel like it's pulling me forwards and I have to hold it up, but if I sit down it still doesn't feel like it reaches my lap and it 'hangs' uncomfortably. If I sit and lean forward I can get it to drop a bit and get some relief, but I can't sit like that for long or it starts pulling on my back. No sign of baby going anywhere yet.

I feel grotesquely big and want to cry tbh.

Oh poor you, the last month is hard and tiring.
Just try side lying with cushions for support. You can even get support for when upright, google bump support band. Good luck!

Have you got a bump support band?

I think it might have to be side lying with cushions up to the end tbh. I've tried a bump support band but found it either didn't feel like it was doing anything or felt like it was too tight and creating more pressure. Bump is too big for the one I have now.

Do you have a bean bag or an exercise ball? Genuinely I found that more comfortable than a regular chair.

Lying on your side helps avoid piles too!

Aw, I remember this feeling. My son was August born and I remember feeling huge and so uncomfortable. I had a long body pillow which I used to support my bump when lying on my side and it was my saviour. But it's hard work come the last few weeks. Just keep thinking of the little person you'll meet soon!

The last 4-5 weeks is always very very uncomfortable I find. Daytime and nighttime.
i found swimming helped a bit because everything felt a bit lighter temporarily.

I am sorry it sucks, OP. The end of pregnancy is just so rough. The heat doesn't help. I've only been heavily pregnant during the summer 1/3 times and I'll do anything to avoid it again. If you do struggle to stay cool, I found those gel cooling pads that you freeze and then sit on to be absolutely invaluable.

Do you have a pregnancy/birth ball? Make sure you buy the right size for your height and inflate it to the right size though (there are guides). Sitting on mine was the only time my lower back/hips got any relief.

Then side lying with cushions behind back, under bump and between knees and ankles. Pregnancy pillow can be good if you have one, but I found mine too hot during my summer pregnancy.

Don't talk yourself out of buying something (bigger support band, preg pillow, birth ball) because you're already 36 weeks; I did that in my first pregnancy and ended up going to 42w2d and was utterly miserable - please don't hesitate to buy what might help if you can afford to do so.

Are you still working OP?

I swear that it's so miserable to make life with a new born feel like a relief and improvement! You don't get anymore sleep, but at least you're no longer 10ft wide. Men don't get the miserable preparation so it hits them like a truck

Sounds pretty accurate for 36 weeks.

I know some superwomen are still lifting weights, doing pilates 2x day, and work 50 hour weeks at this stage, but most of us average women struggle a lot at this point.

You don't have long to go. Start your mat leave if you haven't already.

I can get comfortable when I lie down, it's just sitting and standing that are awful. I'm working up to my due date unfortunately, so can't avoid sitting and standing as much as I want to. I do have a pregnancy ball but haven't found that's helped massively tbh.

I am 5'3 and naturally quite slim, but baby's dad was a massive baby at 10lbs 5 oz and bump and baby have always measured big. I think there's just no space for it all to go anywhere else. I think it's definitely still going to get bigger but don't know how I'm going to be mobile any bigger.

I used to watch telly on all 4s! And spent a lot of time in the heated children's swimming pool ( almost every day if I could). I was much more comfortable in water. But really, my body rebelled, I was so uncomfortable, and DC1 was born at 36 week plus a few days. DC2 & 3 were similar, I think my body knew I wasn't coping and the babies were better out than in.
You'll have everyone's sympathy, OP, it sucks to be pregnant in this heat.

Maybe a kneeling chair might help take the pressure off your back?

I would love to not make past 36 weeks but I don't think it's going to happen unfortunately. Bump is still sitting really high and baby feels like she's right up the top. She does not want to come out lol.

I love the idea of the kneeling chair but don't think I would be able to get myself up and down off it.

Thats A shame the ball hasn’t helped - I found sitting circling my hips on it soothing, if you’ve tried that? I sat on it at the dinner table, everywhere really.