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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

37 weeks - is it this much of a struggle for everyone?

31 replies

Goldi321 · 14/02/2022 14:51

Thankfully off on mat leave now I don’t know how I would continue working like this. First baby, bump is all in the front so from the side I look and feel enormous. Struggling with shortness of breath due to predicted 90th centile baby sitting with bum just under my diaphragm and a blocked nose that I’ve had through the whole of the 3rd trimester. Struggling to sleep due to peeing constantly and severe hip pain after a few hours of lying on my left. Of course, our bathroom has developed a leak and I’m now having to go to one at the end of the house each time I need to go!
My feet and ankles are so swollen and painful and I’ve got fluid going all the way up my legs. If I kneel down to do anything I feel like my skin is going to explode. lovely DP has been massaging me to try to shift some of the fluid but it doesn’t go anywhere. Midwife says all normal as no protein in urine and BP fine.
On top of all of this as soon as I try to do anything I get kicked under the ribs! Baby is so much more active in the last few weeks.
Please tell me other people have felt this way? I’m trying to do things but standing for too long makes my feet swell like balloons (and no shoes fit!), but equally sitting with my feet up is getting very frustrating and not conducive to running a household.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
bluebird3 · 23/02/2022 02:32

Congratulations! Just found this thread and was coming to say I'm 37w today and so uncomfortable with most of your symptoms and horrible carpal tunnel too
rendering my hands useless. Glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

EarringsandLipstick · 23/02/2022 02:55

Great news OP congratulations! You will start to feel like your body is your own, especially after that amount of swelling, very soon (notwithstanding all the post-labour changes, breasfeeding etc 😊).

Enjoy your lovely baby 👶🏻

Balalarama · 23/02/2022 06:15

Well done op. I'm slightly jealous your baby has come early as I'm still in the achey hips, no sleep, massive bump territory at 39 wks.

As a former third degree tearer, get someone at home to get some sanitary towels covered in water into the freezer ASAP. They will be the greatest relief in a few days time for soothing your nether regions, just pop them in your knickers. I also used a nursing pillow to sit on when I was able to sit upright again. And obviously keep chomping back the painkillers. My sister (GP and very experienced mother) advised me to wash down there after every toilet visit and not look at that area for six weeks (it healed back perfectly and I'm glad I didn't look sooner - although if you're a medic you may be less squeamish).

Congratulations on baby!!!

Ellebee459 · 23/02/2022 08:05

Lovely news, congratulations!! Flowers

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 23/02/2022 22:14

Brilliant news OP! It's sucks about the tear but big congratulations Flowers

My planned C section date is unfortunately only a couple of days before I'm 40 weeks - I'm just hoping I make it that long without going into labour and obviously that baby is okay (I'd be much happier if they did it around 38 weeks as they would do in some trusts because I have lots of risk factors - gestational diabetes, polyhydramnios, big baby, IVF baby, first time Mum aged over 40 etc).

Interesting that your babies movements changed before birth - so have mine (although he is still moving regularly which is I guess all that matters?). A week or so ago it felt like he was having a party in there as there was so much kicking, but now it's lighter and more rolling. Luckily I'm having a scan tomorrow to check everything- I'm fed up of not being able to walk properly and only getting 2-3 hours sleep a night as I'm so uncomfortable and therefore faint and dizzy all the time Sad!

BabyOnBoard90 · 24/02/2022 00:16

Exercise throughout my pregnancy has been very helpful in alleviating negative effects of pregnancy.

My partner pushes to go gym, which is harder now belly is huge but I'm not debilitated as other friends who are currently pregnant.

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