Relaxing

[amybelle1990]

Hello MN,

I am 36+4 today and I'm running out of ideas. After HG until week 29 and horrible back/pelvic pains I've gone from being a really active and motivated person to living on the sofa. I'm focused on having baby so that I can get back up to my normal level and feel like a human being again.

Combine this with problems at work (looking for a new job with limited success and complaining to my current workplace due to discrimination), I'm really struggling to relax. I feel like I've watched every film and read every book (I haven't but those options are near exhausted). I'm struggling to get out of the bath and it's getting more painful to get in the bath. Housework is a total impossibility (believe it or not I do find housework relaxing normally).

I was wondering if anybody else was fed up and what you're doing to combat the boredom. Any tips on relaxing now that baths are really hard?

Well I've just posted a thread today about my Natal Hypnotherapy CD sending me off to sleep, so that might be worth a try? And how about a pregnancy massage? I've had a couple, they're good for mentally de-stressing and straightening out aches and pains too.

I like to lose myself in some trashy TV as well; could you invest in a boxset of something compelling but not too taxing?

I totally sympathise. In my first pregnancy I was cycling, walking and cleaning like a demon all the way through. Pre-pregnancy I was super sporty and active and rarely sat down. Suited me just fine.

This time, I am coming apart at the hips and can hardly do a thing - it is like the real me is missing and has been replaced by someone who looks like me! I am going slowly insane through frustration!

Sorry, no advice as in same predicament - but oodles and oodles of sympathy!

Whatever I do to relax, it has to be as cheap as possible. Work have truly screwed me over (don't want to give away to many details online) and my DH works PT minimum wage (and doesn't seem to be concerned enough about the financial situation to get a better job despite his degree... rant rant rant).

I'm sure I could find a cheap hypotherapy CD online though.

I've watched just about everything I'd care to online I've even resorted to playing games on facebook and playing yatzee

My dad always used to say that boredom was man made and I'm just so used to working hard doing useful things

I'm in the same boat as you and can barely move, it's so infuriating. Might I suggest a ball of wool and knitting needles/crochet hook? They're really cheap and I learnt to crochet little squares using online videos, which are free.
It may sound a bit dull but it does eat up the hours and I've nearly made a little blanket, it's a bit wonky but I guess bubs won't mind.

That sounds lovely Purple I'll have to see if I can find a shop nearby

What about doing some pregnancy yoga or Pilates? I think there are a lot of videos on YouTube etc., so you can do it for free and it should be relaxing and pass some time.
Could you do a baby project? Maybe make some bunting for the nursery or something - not too technically difficult but time consuming.
Hope all your troubles get sorted soon!

I would also recommend crafts - drawing, painting, sewing, that kind of thing. Strangely relaxing and therapeutic, and you could actually make something useful too. I'm not on leave yet but am planning to make cushion covers out of old bits of material/clothes and little lavender drawer scent things as we have a load of lavender in the garden. These can also be Xmas presents so saving money that way too.

Swimming? I did quite a bit when pg with dd1 and I was more uncomfortable than this pregnancy. It dies temporarily return your mobility and the exercise will help you sleep.

Amybelle - I totally geddit!

I had a massive meltdown two nights ago, like you I find housework theraputic and when the house is in turmoil so is my head.All of a sudden I find it really difficult to do anything and I really don't like asking for help or not being on top of stuff. I have a really busy job (I spend the day with 50 three and four year olds) so I come home and rest, then depending on how I feel (really uncomfortable - I am 32 +1 and am sure I have sciatica) I aim to spend about twenty minutes throughout the evening 'getting something done'. Mostly because I cannot blitz the house at the weekend anymore because I am too tired and not fit enough. But thinking carefully on what I most want to achieve and dedicating two lots of ten minutes to it really spurs me on. I feel much more capable and in control. And relaxed and peaceful.

Apart from that, just the ususal swimming, magazines or planning out a batch cook-in, ordering supermarket internet shops. The more organised I am the easier I find it to relax.

Good luck!