Starting to struggle...

[Princesssss]

Hi all. I’m currently 35 + 1 and starting to struggle a lot. My hips, grown, back and feet are killing me. Im literally tired from the time I wake. How have you guys managed to carry till full term?

[Seb9]

I survived by eating chocolate and hobnobs, lots of whinging, foot rubs, Netflix, some more whinging, napping swimming, online shopping.

I also decided to cloth nappy so spent a lot of time researching which ones to buy and purchasing my nappy stash. Washing them and getting them ready for baby gave me lots of pleasure. However I'm now slightly addicted to them and have to stop buying them on my maternity pay ✋🙈🙈

[Princesssss]

I’m stupidly still working. Plan was finishing off next week. Dunno if I can even manage that 🤷🏽‍♀️. I think I need to rethink this lmao. So I’ll be able to manage ? 🙏🏾 this is the reason why I’m still working, or I’ll be spending all the saved pennies for when I’m off 😂. how far along are you now? Or have you given birth already?

[Seb9 in reply to Princesssss]

My little girl is 6 months old now, so it feels like a long time ago! It was in the summer and it was so hot! My feet looked like elephant feet 🙈 I worked up to 2 weeks before my due date but how good my work was I have no idea, it's all a bit of a blur now. 😂😂 I think my brain melted in the heat as well!

I was lucky I had an office job so lots of sitting down and the people I worked with were all super supportive and lovely.

Take it easy, and get as much rest as you can. Only a few more weeks to go xx

[pinkie93]

I just tried to keep myself as busy as possible. At 39 weeks we had that 38 degree heatwave so I went to Lakeside shopping centre and spent the whole day going around all the shops. That is a bit extreme but I am glad I stayed active all throughout pregnancy. I also ate whatever I wanted, moaned a lot and had a lot of foot rubs

[Cheekymonkey85]

I was like that in my last pregnancy. After bloods being checked at my 36 week appointment the midwife found I had low iron, and iron tablets did make a big difference. I think I was heading the same way this time so I'm in iron tablets again. They really help with the tiredness

[Hidden]

Definitely get your iron levels checked. Gentle exercise, sitting on a birthing ball, do hip circles, rock side to side, pelvic tucks, figure of 8, find a local pregnancy Pilates class for some gentle strength exercises and stretches. Strengthening your glutes and thigh muscles will help with hip and pelvic pain and will help during birth. Keep active, you're nearly there.

[Eme3sh]

I’m feeling your pain! Currently 39+1 in second pregnancy and definitely struggling more than my first. Pelvic pain is so horrid, I can’t sleep for more than an hour and a half at a time so feeling very miserable. Felt like this since your stage but I AM getting through it. Swimming definitely helped me, and tackling a little house job if and when I can (cleaning out a cupboard for example). Hoping little man isn’t too late because I can’t lie, patience is wearing a little thin haha! Sending best wishes xx

[Tiredtiredtiredxo]

38+4 over here and I’d have to say this trimester was by farrrr the most difficult. Never felt so mentally and physically drained in my entireeee life. However, over the last week I’ve decided to just focus solely on self-care. Whether it’s:

- spending an hour of the day soaking my feet in water to reduce swelling

- watching a few episodes of a tv series

- having 2 naps in the day

- buying all the snacks and sweet treats I fancy without worrying too much about weight gain

- spending majority of the day in bed and just giving in to the tired feeling. I’ve had my bloods tested, bp, everything and all always comes back as normal so as long as there’s nothing you’re deficient in, I’d say just hang in there.

[Princesssss]

Thank you all for your recommendations. I was diagnosed with PGP from the get go really. But I think it’s gotten worse as baby has grown more and I don’t think my 12 hour shifts help much. I currently go to Antenatal classes twice a week n I’ve been meaning to buy the pregnancy ball for ages as it does help. Also, planning on going swimming once I’ve finished work 🙏🏾. I had my bloods taken last week n I haven’t heard anything back. Which I guess is good news, right? Lol xx

[QT314 in reply to Princesssss]

Hi, if you have the opportunity of getting a pregnancy massage it might help. For me it was great help. I only had one since they are very expensive but I left feeling already lighter. It was a very nice treat x