33 weeks and so uncomfortable and depressed

[sarah00001]

Hi, I will be 33 weeks next Tuesday. I feel really awful at the moment and so uncomfortable. My baby is very high up in my abdomen, still in the breech position and my stomach is huge and weighs a ton. My stomach and lungs are squashed and I find it hard to breathe. I get so tired, I can't walk far and just climbing the stairs is exhausting. All I want to do is lie down and sleep. I live alone as I split up from the baby's father, but I'd give anything for some help with the housework, shopping etc. I have so much to do before the baby arrives as the house needs a lot of sorting and I still need to buy most of the baby's things.

I can't stop crying. I worry so much that the baby will arrive and the house will still be in a mess and I won't have all the things ready for her. I don't have a support network, I don't have many friends in my area and those I do have are too busy with their own children and I don't have any family close by.

I know I just need to get on with it and I know that there are a lot of women a lot worse off than me, I just wish I didn't feel so tired and uncomfortable.

Will it get more comfortable, maybe when the baby turns upside down? How will I get through this and ensure I get everything ready in time for when the baby arrives? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Sarah

Hi Sarah I really do feel for you it must be very hard. I do hope it gets better maybe try getting out a little being in the house isn't good for anyone. Have you been going to any classes it's good to go you can also make friends there too. You will feel more comfortable when the baby moves it won't be so much pressure on your chest. If you start getting out & buying little things you'll start getting more excited ;-) x

You can totally do this!

Try to "potter" around the house. Picking up and completing small jobs is much more rewarding and less daunting. Plus as you get each little thing done you will see progress.

It is very uncomfortable, I know. Just do a little and put your feet up a little. Don't set yourself impossible tasks and standards.

You poor thing. I'm 36 weeks and am pretty pissed off, tired and uncomfortable too.

Make a list of the things you really need to do and buy beforehand, and work through it bit by bit. Forget the rest - cut yourself some slack and have an early night!

I feel for you. I'm 32 weeks and feel knackered, but have a partner to fill in the gaps. Are you still working? If so, consider maternity leave starting soon.

Try and cut some corners - get a shopping delivery rather than going out to shop. Do a little housework here and there - lower your standards a bit.

Have you gone to any groups yet? There should be a breastfeeding group nearby and the antenatal class. You can casually drop in that you haven't got a few things yet and someone might have extras/know someone who has some stuff they can give you.

Have you got any family nearby?

Thank you everyone for your advice and support. I'm going to take your advice and break down the jobs into manageable chunks and do a bit here and there. Ordering my shopping online is also a great suggestion. I'll also try to get out more and start buying bits for the baby. I already have the big things - the pram, moses basket, cot bed, car seat and changing table/chest of drawers. The cot bed and changing table are assembled but I haven't yet opened the boxes for the pram, moses basket and car seat. I'll work on these next week. I also need to get my car interior cleaned as its covered in dog hairs. I think I'll just do it myself using a vacuum at a garage.

In terms of groups, I did go to the antenatal classes. I'll try to find out about a breastfeeding group too.

The only family I have nearby is my nan who is in a care home and sadly is quite poorly at the moment. I also have an aunt who I don't see very often as she has young kids and is really busy. My plan is to move up north to live near my sister as soon as I possibly can. I know that both her and her husband will be very supportive and I can hopefully help them out too once I'm settled. As soon as I can, I'll start applying for jobs up there. I also want to get away from my ex-partner. He is very bitter about our break up and very hostile towards me. I'm scared what he'll be like when the baby's here as he has a very bad temper and I know I won't feel safe at home. He's changed so much since I became pregnant. Instead of being more protective and caring towards me, he's been cold, uncaring, unsympathetic and downright nasty. I think I know the reason - his ex wife left him and took his son away when he was about 3 years old. He's accused me of plotting to do the same since I became pregnant and his paranoia has lead to our relationship ending and me planning to move away, so he's basically made his worst nightmare come true. He blames me entirely for the relationship ending.

I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everything better. My lovely mum passed away 15 years ago but what I wouldn't give for her to be here now.

Sarah