As I'm devouring chocolate-covered almonds (vegan, organic and paleo) on my new awesome round yoga mat (curtesy of Pat and Laurie), I figured I'll document the tougher parts of this pregnancy.
In efforts to keep it short and sweet I'll name them first and then briefly share my thoughts on some.
- gain weight (read posture changes, harder yoga practice, slower walking pace, need for new cloths)
- limited sleeping positions
- leg cramps
- occasional headaches
- random hunger and thirst outbreaks
- slower digestion
- brain fogs
- limited mobility of the core
- downscaling the range of activities
- cutting out cognac (hehe)
This has been a very educational journey so far and many things that my friends have experienced finally make sense. I mean, you think, so what, you can only sleep on the side, big deal, right? Well, at this point I'm so tired of it that I've gotten creative and have a giant stack of pillows to get myself at an angle so I can lay on my back sometimes. Doesn't if feel like it was in a different life time to relax belly down... Then come the cramps. The first time I've been woken up by one, it took me back to my teenage years doing heavy swim training. The spasm that shoots from behind the knee down to the ankle is no joke. It was helpful to stand down on the floor immediately. Magnesium has also been a great gift as well as strong hands of Josh who breaks down tight muscles.
When headaches visit, usually due to increased thirst and dehydration, there are no quick fixes as taking ibuprofen is not safe for the baby. The solutions that I found the most helpful have been - a) water b) head and shoulder massage c) taking a short nap d) pulling on hair (trust me, just try it) e) massaging the inside of the cheeks - releases the muscles of the face.
Now we've gotten to the real monster. Nothing. I mean nothing can stand between me and the fridge when the hunger strikes unexpectedly. I do my best to go for healthier snacks like today I had reddish with some butter, or a fruit but if I had a choice - it would be chocolate. ALL. DAY. LONG. It's really hard to control myself. Which brings me to the next point of slower digestion. For me it shows up in feeling bloated to the point where I think my diaphragm is going to jump out of my throat. Not particularly comfortable.
Embarrassingly, I have already put an empty can in the fridge while leaving the food out, and occasionally I just don't remember what time it is even though I looked at the clock a minute ago. The first time it happened, I was truly shocked but I've accepted it now.
I know it's not a long list and I feel very lucky to go through this experience with a village of love and support. Of course, being the active person that I am the moment I felt like a turtle rolling back from a squat or not being able to go mountain skiing this year - - it was tough. I try to remind myself to stay in the moment. To enjoy it to the best of my ability. And that this too shall pass.
Mamas and knowledgeable folks out there, share your challenges through pregnancies and solutions that helped you.
Namaste.
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