I think I can see my belly grow each day; it’s crazy! Since getting bigger, I have noticed certain things are getting more difficult: transfers, my daily activities. I need to take more breaks and rest more often.
Breathing is definitely more challenging as the baby grows and pushes up on my lungs and diaphragm. I haven’t been able to work out as much lately; my endurance just isn’t what it was. I still have two months left—getting around could be quite interesting by the end of this pregnancy.
I must admit I am very thankful that I wasn’t too big during the hot summer months. I already have hot flashes, thanks I think to the increased blood volume. But to be 25-35 pounds heavier, with a huge belly in the 100+ degree summer heat, that just might kill me.
I had a friend who delivered a healthy baby boy in August; during the last month in the very hot weather, she was absolutely miserable. I figure my hot flashes and increased blood volume will help keep me warm these last couple of months; generally speaking, I am always cold during the winter because of my poor circulation and all.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned that my husband and I decided to do a huge remodel/addition before the baby comes. We started in June and it was supposed to be finished by the end of September. Of course, as any of you who have done remodels know, they never go according to schedule.
Ours is no different; we are at least a month and a half behind, and that is if it all goes according to schedule from here out, fat chance!!! My biggest worry is that I’ll deliver this baby and be living in a half-finished house. Here I am ready to nest and put together the nursery, and most of my house is in complete disarray. It’s really quite frustrating; I don’t know what we were thinking. But it has also been a great learning experience.
If we decide to have another baby after this one, I surely won’t attempt a remodel while I’m pregnant. It will definitely be nice once it’s finished, but the stress and challenges of a remodel while I am going through this hormonal roller coaster have been crazy. I’m sure my husband agrees, as I have definitely not been easy to get along with at times. Is everyone this crazy?
I read that many pregnant couples attempt remodels before the baby comes. What in the world were we all thinking? I guess we just want to make the house the best it can be before the baby. I certainly agree that remodels after the baby comes wouldn’t be recommended either. Oh well, we’re in the final stretch now; let’s just hope this baby doesn’t come too early. We need all the time to get the house back together.
We signed up for our childbirth classes and start in a couple of weeks. We are taking a series that meets once a week for a month. I’m really excited, as this just makes it all even more real. My husband seems to be excited as well, but it’s so hard to tell with men. I haven’t been able to get him to read much on the pregnancy and baby’s development, but I did something ingenious! I checked out a book on CD: The Expectant Father, from the library and believe it or not, he really is listening to it. He listens to it as he drives to and from work and I think he’s really enjoying it. He says that the book has good information and some funny stories, too. I’m glad he’s at least getting some information before this baby comes.
The latest issues and questions we have been talking about have to do with our birth plan: who we want in the labor and delivery room, who we want around during the delivery, who will visit when and for how long. This last topic has been a real issue with my husband and me.
I told him that we can call our parents when I go into labor and they can head out, but that I really, really don’t want a bunch of people hanging around our house before I go into labor. I know I won’t feel good; I’ll be uncomfortable and won’t want a bunch of company in my house.
After much arguing and trying to explain, he has finally agreed. I did have to compromise some, since his family lives in California and we are in Utah. I agreed that if they need to make travel arrangements, being that our due date is Christmas, I would be willing to have them schedule to come out on December 28 and stay for five days. If I haven’t gone into labor by then, I will soon. I’ve already told the doctor that we are having this baby this year—we need the tax deduction!!!
In trying to figure out the holidays and the delivery, I asked my doctor at our last visit if he thinks he will induce me early since I am high risk with my Autonomic Dysreflexia (not to mention we will most likely have a large baby, as neither my husband nor I are small people). He really didn’t want to commit to anything just yet. He is treating me and my pregnancy just as he would any other pregnancy. It’s nice that he really isn’t too worried and will treat me like any of his patients. Of course, as we get closer there will probably be more issues and concerns, but as of now, I’m just like any other pregnant woman. It’s nice to finally be somewhat normal!
The latest thing I’ve been working on has been lifting and carrying the car seat. I don’t know how any of you other mothers in chairs did it; it’s not easy. I loaded up the car seat (with about 8 pounds of flour and sugar), and it’s all I can do to lift it safely to my lap and back to the floor. I tried putting it into the car on the base. That was certainly a sight—not something I want to do with an actual baby in there.
My latest thinking is that I am going to leave the car seat in the car and just transfer the baby into and out of it. I’ll use a sling or snuggly or something that is attached to me to carry the baby around, because it’s just too crazy to try to safely lift and move that car seat around.
Please share any other ideas or thoughts; I’m open to any suggestions, because right now, I have to admit, I’m a little worried about this part of the program. Thankfully I’m most likely not going to want to go out too much by myself in the dead of winter when the baby is still really little. I guess I’ll just end up figuring what works for me; all of us with disabilities know that’s usually how it ends up.
See Related Articles
Check out Muffy's previous pregnancy blog, Disability and Pregnancy, Part 9 - Week 28.
Read Muffy's follow-up pregnancy blog, Disability and Pregnancy, Part 11 - Week 33.
For more information on Muffy, visit Muffy's Disaboom member profile.
