Extremely uncomfortable and frustrated- 31 weeks pregnant. Need some encouragement, advice, tips and tricks please!

[Motherof1and2dogs]

I just had a bit of a melt down, cried, got a bit of anxiety, feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted. I am really struggling with this pregnancy, it’s been hell from day one but now the aches, pains and tightness are becoming so uncomfortable to the point I just cannot sit or lay still.
I have very very bad lower back pain and sciatica, and although I am doing hydro therapy, once a week isn’t much. Exercise seems to make it a lot worse, even a 15 minute walk becomes problematic, I’ve even had to get a cleaner because I just cannot manage daily tasks anymore. I’ve had 2 weeks off work, I do work from home but even the thought of being on a laptop 7/8 hours a day is stressing me out.
Also having a toddler when pregnant is tough (2.5 year old boy), I think that is why I am so bad this time round. I just feel stuck, frustrated, I feel a bit trapped, I got this awful urge a moment ago that I just wanted to rip the baby out because of how uncomfortable I am, this then triggered my anxiety because I know there is literally nothing I can do about it. Also the fact the weather is getting hotter makes it even more unbearable, I am due mid July so I am expecting it to get hotter as I still grow and things get worse.
I have 9 weeks to go still if everything goes to plan, but this feels like a lifetime when your pregnant, I just need some encouragement from other mums who are pregnant or have been in this situation before, any ways I can relax and be more comfortable and any advice please give me everything you have! Thank you in advance x

You need to go and see an osteopath or chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy. Mine was a life safer, I get a bad back when not pregnant so pregnancy can get very painful. Do you sleep with a pillow between your legs? This helps straighten your spine and keep your pelvis aligned. By 6 months I was also sleeping with a pillow under my tummy and one behind my back as support.
Can you get to any pregnancy relaxation classes? Maybe leave the yoga until you’ve seen an osteopath, but meditation? Sound bath? Massage? Reflexology? Also a bath…I know you can’t have it hot but even a warm bath with some lavender oil helps you relax. Any of these options should help you cope mentally.

Sorry I have no useful advice to give but just wanted to reply in solidarity as I’m in the same boat. I’m knackered from working full time, back is killing me constantly, restless legs in the evening and having awful nights sleep because of needing to get up for a wee 300 times and also getting random cramps in my leg several times throughout the night!

Hey! Just wanted to say hang in there. I'm in the same boat - 31weeks today with a 3yo toddler who keeps me on my toes. Lower backache has been particularly bad this pregnancy, especially from the end of second tri. We went on our babymoon 2 weeks ago to gran canaria and I found being in the pool most of the day really helped with the aches and pains. Of course I can't that anymore being back at work now, but I'm planning to go swimming 2-3 times a week to see if that will help. I also do yoga/full body stretch every morning because I wake up really stiff and struggle to even walk sometimes. I've found that to ease some of discomfort . Sleep is still a complete nightmare ! I keep tossing and turning all night and feel like a zombie in the morning when the alarm goes off.
I totally get the frustration though. 9 more weeks feels like a lifetime away, especially when you're in so much discomfort. Try not to think about it. I have the next few weekends filled up with catchup with friends, lunch date with husband, a facial, massage etc ..just things to keep my mind off this 9wk countdown.
All the best, and I hope everything goes well with you ! :)

Hi OP, also in the same situation, 32 weeks pregnant with a 2 year old toddler. I took my daughter out for a few hours yesterday and my hips and back were in agony. Have you seen a physio? Xx

It’s so hard the last few weeks. Take all the help you can get, get your shopping delivered, simple meals etc.
Are work sympathetic? Sounds like you could do with being signed off sick until maternity leave, or have you got any holidays saved up you could take so you can take a day or two off a week? I used holiday to go down to 4 days a week for the last month with my first, then 2 full weeks off to take me to maternity leave starting at 38 weeks.

Sympathies, it’s so hard. And everyone saying infuriating things like “oh get lots of rest now” makes it harder. Things that helped me

• sleep under a damp towel when it’s hot (quick dry towel under cold tap, wring it out and use it like a duvet)
• moisturiser on the bump - really helps with tightness.
• magnesium moisturiser for restless legs
• osteopath for helping loosen everything up. I saw one because baby was breach and she did some really gentle work to open up my pelvis which helped so much
• Pregnancy bolster cushion behind me in bed to keep me on my side, with one end pulled through the gap between my knees, and then a soft squishy cushion wedged under my bump on the other side.

@RollMeOverInTheClover I do have a pregnancy pillow but it’s one that only really allows you to stay in one position and you can’t turn unless you turn the pillow which is annoying so I stopped using it, but I didn’t even think to just use a normal pillow which I will try tonight and going forward. I think massage will help massively but finding someone local to me that does pregnancy massage isn’t common, I found one place and it’s £99 for 50 minutes! It’s a spa though so I imagine the experience to be amazing! I do think I need to see a chiropractor though, I think this would be the most beneficial, going to have a look for one now. Thank you.

@Rosesonroses omg yes the cramps! I get them in my toes and feet on the regular. Third trimester really does suck!

Owww the cramps, I remember those, so painful, especially when they wake you up. Magnesium supplements really help with the cramps and the restless legs…take the highest dose you’re allowed

Oh sorry op. I remember being in exactly the same situation, this time last year. I took a lot of baths to feel weightless which helped, and pregnancy yoga helped with the sciatica. But it is so uncomfortable I know

No practical advice but wanted to chime in as I am in the same boat.

I am FTM so no toddler to look after and I been off sick for a month, but I can barely walk to the toilet and sitting down to pee and standing up takes about an hour. I went to the tesco and from the car park to the entrance I had to stop 3 times. Like you, my pain is also worse with excursive and belts, ball, stretches nothing has helped so far.

I have GDM and take almost 100 units of insulin daily and high BP so overall a very high pregnancy and I cant wait for the baby to arrive! I am hoping this will be over for us all soon!

I went to physio privately very regularly during pregnancy, on her advice wore a belt (backwards to support) when needed, a proper pillow between my legs to get the proper alignment of my hips and cuddled a soft pillow at the top, exercises and all super helpful but I would say you do need that physio support if you are able to book in with someone good and go regularly (as much as needed)

Sympathy. I’m 33 weeks and completely get it. Everything aches, sleep is a distant memory, and I cry over the simplest of things. The baby is apparently the size of a pineapple, which feels accurate given the constant internal pain. Honestly, I’m running purely on adrenaline at this point. Whoever called this the “home stretch” clearly never waddled through it. We’re nearly there. Hang in there. 💛

Oh yes I forgot about the belt! I also wore a Serola belt, that literally held my pelvis together. I’m hyper flexible, and that combined with all the relaxin you produce during pregnancy contributed to my lower back pain, I just did a search and there seem to be all sorts of back support pregnancy bands out there, but do seek advice from an expert, ie your OB, physio or chiropractor as to which one to use, as you have to wear them fairly tight.

Hyper mobility is my problem here too- my ligaments were literally pulling off my pelvis 😬. 100% a physio for all these things so you get the proper support, advice and treatment.