Since my baby shower, Travis and I have spent a lot of time getting ready for Christmas. Because my shower was in mid-December, I feel like we were really delayed this year. Last week we got our Christmas tree and decorated it. On Friday, I had my work Christmas party during the day, and I went with Travis to his work party on Friday night. Saturday, we did some shopping, and Sunday we celebrated Christmas with Travis’s mom, brother, and grandparents. I’m spending this week trying to shop during my lunch hour at work.
It seems like since my shower and with everything going on in the last week with Christmas preparations, I’ve really been starting to feel the effects of pregnancy. Here are some examples:
· Getting in and out of the car – I don’t really know how to describe it, but it’s such an effort now when we go somewhere and I have to get in and out of the car. I feel like an old lady, and it just takes me longer than usual. Also, I have to really watch the cars next to me when I open the car door to make sure I don’t hit them, because I have to open it all the way in order to get out.
· I don’t fit in the same small places I was used to – I noticed this at both of the Christmas parties on Friday. Sometimes I try to squeeze into or through places where I used to fit, but now I just don’t. For example, whenever I left the table to go to the restroom, sometimes I thought I could fit between other people’s chairs and the wall. However, most of the people we were dining with would have to get up and move anytime I needed to get up (they couldn’t just move their chair in.) I’m still getting used to my new size.
· I can’t tie my shoes (easily) – Even though I’m really not running anymore, I’m still going to the gym and taking Ranger for walks. However, it’s honestly such a struggle to put on my shoes. First of all, I think my feet are slightly swollen or bigger, not so much that my shoes don’t fit, but enough that I have to take the time to loosen the laces and then bend down to tie them. Also, as I’m tying my shoes, I can’t breathe, and by the time I’m done, I’m out of breath…it’s awesome.
· Brushing my teeth – The actual brushing isn’t so bad, but when I have to lean over the sink I feel like I can’t reach and it’s just awkward.
· Back pains – Basically my upper back has been hurting on and off…which I’m really not used to. I’ve never had back pain before (fortunately) and I am trying to make an effort with my posture whenever I’m sitting, which does seem to help. I’m also doing lots of yoga poses…
· I’m finally warm all the time. Ok – this one is actually not so bad. I feel like I’ve been cold my whole life, and now, I’m not cold anymore!! It started with my hands and feet…they started to get warm a few weeks ago, and now it seems like my whole body is just warmer. I’m not hot though – I’m basically the perfect temperature! This is one side effect that I wish would stay.
One more thing happened yesterday. I had my 30 week doctor appointment. Travis and I arrived at 8:15, and waited until 8:45 to be taken back by a nurse, to get my weight and blood pressure. According to her, I’m up 4 lbs. since my last appointment – but I had French toast for breakfast…so I’m hoping it’s not actually that much. The nurse checked the baby’s heart rate – it was around 125, which was a little slower than normal, but she said it’s normal that as the baby gets bigger, the heart rate slows. She also recommended that I get a “whooping cough” vaccine, which I also did. Then we had to wait for almost another half hour for the doctor to come in (which was pretty unusual.) When she came in, she asked me how I was feeling, and I started to say that I was feeling fine (for the most part) and then all of a sudden, I wasn’t feeling fine. I started to get really dizzy and my ears were ringing. I laid down, and although I didn’t really pass out, I stayed on the table for several minutes. It turns out everything was fine, and she said maybe because I was waiting for so or sitting for so long, or maybe it was a drop in blood sugar, or the baby moved somewhere or something. My doctor and Travis said if it was going to happen, it was great timing that I was in the doctor’s office. After a few minutes I felt fine, but I’m glad Travis was there with me to walk out with me before I had to go to work. Travis joked that I probably passed out because they mentioned I gain 4 lbs. – he’s so funny (haha.) Anyway, I felt much better the rest of the day, and hopefully that won’t happen again!
