Well I entered week 30 of this pregnancy last weekend and to mark the milestone (I can usually find an excuse to call each week a milestone if I really want), I thought I'd post a new belly shot...
The main reason it's a milestone is because 30 weeks is when Clara entered the world. Baby #2 is now as old, as developed, as Clara was at birth. She was 3.2 lbs and Baby #2 is roughly that same weight. It's really amazing to think about it, especially because it reminds me what a miracle Clara is.
So I've been dealing with pregnancy aches and pains for a while now, but yesterday it reached new levels. I felt like I was huge and had a hard time getting up off the couch. It was so weird!
My back is also really painful, especially starting in the evenings, and I have newfound respect for people who deal with chronic back pain (like my husband). I don't know how they do it. It messes with my mind and makes me crazy!
I have pretty much figured out that my back pain is due to wearing a bra. In my theory, the bra distributes weight to my upper back, the same part of my back that is currently carrying some of the load of my growing belly. Does that make sense? I know this to be true because when I don't wear one, I don't have pain that evening. But oh, let me tell you, not wearing one is not easy. I'll leave it at that (and of course I wear one when I'm out. That is NOT an option).
Last night I was in so much pain in bed (back pain and side pain as well) that I woke up all night long, switching from side to side (and usually ended up on my back, which makes it harder to breathe). I'm exhausted today. I think it's come to the point where I have no choice but to buy that expensive pregnancy body pillow, the one that looks like a candy cane (a purchase I was hoping to avoid). Has it worked for any of you?
Sorry if it seems like I'm complaining! I still love being pregnant and I love that I'm getting bigger, despite whatever extra discomfort comes with that. I think I just need to voice it because it's amazing to me that it's happening. I don't think it'll ever sink in that I'm pregnant! Well, maybe once labor starts..
Well Clara's napping so that means shower time for me. Better late than never.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
30 weeks
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Looking great K! Congratulations on this milestone! I hope the aches and pains subside so you can really enjoy the rest of this pregnancy! :)
ReplyDeletepraying for you!
ReplyDeleteYou look so great, K! I'm sorry that back is bothering you! Do you think a chiropractor would help?
ReplyDeleteSo stinkin cute! :) Excited and terrified that time is flying by so quickly. I think the pillow may be worth it, the one I have is a body pillow, plus a second body pillow on the other side of me so I can roll over and still be body-pillow covered. Hubs calls it my 'anti-Ken' barrier, but a pregnant lady has to do what a pregnant lady has to do...! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the picture, your belly is so cute. Yeah it didn't hit me until I was on the operating table haha, an after effect of IF I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Sam's Club or Costco for body pillows, my MIL got me one from Sam's and it was only $9, it's perfect, but it only helped me when I was awake. For sleeping, I just piled up regular pillows all around me :)
Thanks guys!
ReplyDeleteTW - I should've said in the post that I already have a regular body pillow and it does nothing for me. It usually ends up falling off the bed! So, in light of that not helping, I'm wondering if the special pregnancy one won't help either?
You look so darn cute!!!!! Love that little belly.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a nursing tank or some sort of tank with a shelf bra in it? I found that SOOOO much more comfortable during pregnancy than my bra! Plus, they doubled as extra tummy coverage under too-short shirts or open button-down tops.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the nursing tanks...life savers! I got mine at Target and use them ALL the time now that I'm nursing. Great coverage for the mid section! You look beautiful! Keep growing that baby!
ReplyDeleteI 3rd the nursing tank! It will give you some coverage while not distributing the weight to your back. Target has them for about $14 I think!
ReplyDeleteAnd you look adorable!!!!
Merry
Looking great, K! And oh little Clara- what a miracle baby!
ReplyDeleteyou look SO beautiful....
ReplyDeleteSO beautiful.
Hi, I don't post on here often but I wanted to share that I have used a pregnancy body pillow with both of my pregnancies and I don't think I would have been able to sleep without it. I ended up with the pregnancy body pillow on one side of me and a regular body pillow shoved up next to my back. I hope you are able to get some relief for your back soon and good luck with the next 10(+or-) weeks!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever thought about going to Physical Therapy? I went when I was pregnant with Madeleine and it helped me so much. She said my hips were all out of balance, so she did some work on me and then gave me some specific strengthening exercises. I was nannying at the time and always holding the baby on the same hip, so that one was lower than the other one. You might have the same problem ;)
ReplyDeleteOh and I just asked my OB for a referral and she referred me to a PT who specializes in pregnant women. And insurance paid for it!
Jenni - Glad to hear it worked! If I can't sleep again tonight I might go get one tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBeth - Great idea! One of my hips has always been higher than the other so I've had issues before.
And thanks for the info on nursing tanks. Normally I could never get by with anything but the most supportive bra, but at this point anything is better than nothing for around the house.
Yah!!! 30 weeks - what a milestone! I am so happy for you all!
ReplyDeleteThe back pain is more painful than I could have imagined, but thankfully for me it is not consistent. I don't know about you, but sitting too long makes it hurt almost as much as bending over and filing or standing at the stove! I think the weeks ahead are going to fly by, at least I hope so ;)
AL - Yes! Sitting makes it worse for me. Sitting also makes my side pain worse. It's funny because I just said to someone the other day that I'm definitely a sitter. I love sitting and have never uttered the words, "no thanks, I'll just stand". But now, I actually choose to stand! So unlike me, but now so very necessary!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right behind me! I think you're right.. it'll be here before we know it :)
The pic is adorable! I highly suggest sleeping with a body pillow on your left side and throwing your leg over it. Or you can sleep with a pillow under the side of your belly and one between your legs. My physical therapist says this aligns your spine. The baby weight in front tends to make us stick our butts out to compensate, which is hard on our lower backs so it is something to be aware of as well. If it continues, I highly recommend asking your ob for a Physical Therapy referral. It really helped me. The ligaments are going to start getting looser this trimester, which made my hips go all wonky and then the sciatic nerve pain began. PT has been really helpful. Hang in there, you are growing a life-so amazing!
ReplyDeleteOops, just saw the other comments so mine may not have been too helpful-sorry!
ReplyDeleteK, I just wrote you an email offering the use of my prego pillow! Please consider borrowing it for the remainder of your pregnancy!! It is a lifesaver!! I just put the case back on after washing it, so it's ready to go... Just let me know! Blessings and you look great!
ReplyDeleteYou are so cute as a prego!!! And yes, those aches are not fun.... Pillow for sure!!
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful in your pictures, esp. the Christening ones! I have three tips, hopefully something will help...
ReplyDelete1) a lot of my friends had that body pillow but if u cant or don't want to invest in that, a Boppy worked for me. If u sleep on your side with it between your knees. Sometimes the back pain is really hip pain, and this def helps with it. Plus you'll use it when the baby comes.
2) Try to sleep sitting up with a regular pillow wedged behind your lower back. Sounds bizarre but worked for me.
3) Take as many pics as possible, the weeks will fly by! :)
You look fabulous! You are carrying a lot higher than me, and I have always been told that boys are low. It must be fun having a high and up front belly (minus the back pain!), you look much more pregnant than me. I had someone ask for the first time yesterday when I am due! (I am 25 weeks).
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get some relief. When I was pregnant with my son, I remember the last trimester being pretty uncomfy. I am just starting to get crotch soreness again, yuck! With my last pregnancy I used a regular body pillow to hug and put between my knees. Now I just use a lumpy standard pillow to hug, and blankets between my knees. I hope you find something that works for you!
I am usually a lurker on your blog, but I wanted to say congratulations! I will be praying that the remainder of your pregnancy is healthy and pain-free.
ReplyDeleteWow, 30 weeks! Congrats!! But, I have to say...you are scaring me:). I'm afraid of what the next 20 weeks might hold for me! I am reading all the advice others are giving you and just taking it in for now:). And I LOVE your belly - you are the epitome of a gorgeous pregnant woman! I want to be like you - have the cute belly, but don't gain anywhere else. Time will tell:). Take care!
ReplyDeleteYou look great! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou look great! I also had horrible back pain - so much so that I went to a chiropractor and stopped work at 32 weeks. I never got the special pillow but always had about 5 pillows packed in around me when I slept. Mine was more low back pain than in my shoulders.
ReplyDeleteYou are adorable and I so look forward to following your journey when you have two one year apart. It can be done!!
ReplyDeleteFunny story: when I was in my last trimester I ended up taking off my bra in the car one time because it was so uncomfortable. I forgot about it and my husband's co-worker found it days later when they all went out to lunch. How embarrassing! Nursing tanks are great but they didn't fit me until after I delivered. But I loved maternity tanks - they might be a good option while you are at home. Somehow it felt like bras made my ribs hurt.
And I second all the advice on pillows for sleeping. I never used a body pillow or anything, but slept with about 5 pillows all around me and between my legs:)
May the next 10 weeks be filled with many moments of joy and few aches and pains.
CONGRATULATIONS!! My husband and I recently moved and we have not has any internet service so its been along time since I have signed into my blog. When I saw the pic of you pregnant it overjoyed my heart. I am so happy for you and the miracles that have been placed in your life!!!! The Lords timing is always the best timing!!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved my pregnancy pillow! I still find myself sleeping with it....LOL I have a "Snoogle"! I hope you get one and it works, I know that pain all to well....lol (but it's so worth it)
ReplyDelete