Pregnancy is the state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside a woman's body. The duration is usually 40 weeks which is categorized into three stages; first trimester which starts from week 1 to week 12, second trimester from week 13 to 28, and third trimester is from 29th week to 40. In each stage, the female human body goes into different changes and struggles the woman feels and faces due to hormones and because of the growing fetus inside.
As for me, I was nearly 26 weeks and still considered on the second trimester. However, I am now feeling uncomfortable and every movement is already a struggle. It is not only physically exhausting but also emotionally. As if you wanted to turn the clock's hands and make it to your due date and meet that new bundle of love. It is because of the pain all over your body, the discomfort when you tried to move.
I am just thankful that my husband helps me with laundry and sometimes he cooks because I feel extremely tired after washing the dishes and having to assist our youngest the whole day whenever he uses the comfort room. One thing that's adding to my exhaustion was my insomnia that's why I feel really lethargic during the day. Sometimes I take a nap whenever my youngest who is turning two is sleeping but most of the time I can't sleep. And when my eyes started to droop, I suddenly feel the urge to pee or my boy already woke up. With that, my feeling of sleepiness would fade away leaving me more sluggish.
Most third trimester struggles include:
1. Backache and hip pain. This is caused by pregnancy hormones that is preparing yourself for childbirth. The growing baby inside adds with the pressure.
2. Abdominal pain. As for me, the pain is constant on my upper right just below my ribcage which the ob-gyne said was due to the growing baby who is pushing up on the liver and other organs. Abdominal pain also is associated with Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor) which I usually feel when doing house chores that's why I no longer do laundry on my own.
3. Sleep. I had to propped up two or three pillows before I can get comfortable and sleep. But sometimes I just can't because of restlessness, it makes me annoyed from turning from one side to the other. Pillow in between legs, pillow under the belly and under feet makes it comfortable sometimes. Me and our youngest were the ones sleeping on the bed so that I can find myself a comfortable position. After being able to find a comfortable position and was trying to get some sleep when you feel the urge to pee even if you just peed some 5 minutes ago. Sometimes the baby doing its gymnastics at the middle of a good night's sleep will awaken you and make you stay awake for long hours (insomnia at its worst).
4. Wardrobe issues. Because of weight gain and probably belly growing and bulging that you can't find clothes to fit in. It is preferably recommended to use loose clothes. Wearing clothes, pants, socks, tying shoe laces is a challenge. Even cutting toe nails is hard to accomplish.
5. Shortness of breath. Lungs are compressed that makes it hard to breath normally. Practicing good posture can ease it.
6. Walking. It is a struggle to walk and start that waddle walk instead. For my current pregnancy and the last one, it felt like the baby's gonna fall out after some two-minute walk. Even standing from a chair or from bed makes it hard because the pressure feels like the baby's just gonna go swoosh.
7. Incontinence and constipation. It's going through a lot of underwear changing, panty liners and pads because sometimes you can't hold your pee for a second. Constipation is also not an excuse but can be relieved by staying hydrated and eating fibrous diet.
8. Fatigue. Because of the growing baby that you have to carry for nine months makes a pregnant woman feel more fatigued. Every single move is a struggle.
9. Itchy stomach and stretch marks. This is due to the stretching of the skin to accommodate the growing baby so be sure to always cut your nails short and avoid scratching it, gently rub it a little because lotions and oils won't do any better.
10. Eating and diet. For me, I just can't help myself from eating even if I just finish my meal but I don't really like to eat processed foods like hotdog and canned goods. Others also are barely hungry and forced themselves to eat a spoonful. Still some cravings come during this stage.
11. Spider veins, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Increase blood circulation causes purplish red veins to appear on face, neck, and arms which will disappear after delivery. Swollen veins are also a possibility, exercise and elevate legs to ease symptoms. Painful and itchy swollen rectal veins may occur during this period, thus, you can soak on a warm bath tub.
12. Growing belly is always on the way. True, sometimes my youngest would cry at night because he can't hug me properly while sleeping which he was used to. In every move you make, the belly obstructs the movement.
Closing thoughts
Pregnancy is a challenging stage between partners and the support of the male partner is very much needed. It may be challenging but very much rewarding at the end.
After all, pregnancy is a glamorous journey.
05-17-21
z_graeden
Ay truth! I told myself I don't want to get pregnant after sa first, then boom! May second baby na. Hehe! Puro CS pa.