I missed a couple of weeks; sorry, I’ve been busy with work, travel, and getting one terrible cold. Man, colds in the winter when they are expected are bad enough, but getting a bad cold in the summer while being pregnant, well that really sucks.
I am the type of person who, when I get sick, I just drug the heck out of myself so I can “sleep away” the illness. Small dilemma when you are pregnant: most of the good drugs, cold medications, and sleeping aids are off limits. This cold was a bad one by my regular standards and then not to be able to take anything for it—all I could do as I lay awake throughout the night coughing was tell myself, “This too shall pass!”
After a week of minimal sleep and hacking up both of my lungs, it did finally pass. Throw on top of that all that I had to do with U.S. Paralympics (some really cool work), helping to train and send them off to compete in Beijing the whole time I was sick. One of my greatest fears, aside from worrying that the baby was as sick and miserable as I was, was that I might infect one of the athletes. At least it passed, and I don’t think I passed my cold on to anyone else.
I just finished my last work travel trip until after the baby comes. I had to give up the offer to attend the Paralympics in Beijing as an Ambassador for the International Paralympic Committee because my doctor didn’t think it would be wise to travel more than 14 hours and then be in China for two weeks in case anything were to go wrong. I must admit, after the short flight last week from Salt Lake City to Colorado Springs, I know I made the right decision. Traveling isn’t easy when you are pregnant, even for short distances.
As I mentioned before, one of the hardest parts of being sick the last week was thinking that my little one inside my belly was as miserable as I was. I talked to several friends and doctors and was informed that wasn’t the case, in fact that getting a cold when I was pregnant (barring getting too high of a temperature) would, in fact, probably strengthen the baby’s immune system. By being exposed in utero, they said, the baby would build stronger defenses. I’m not sure if that is actually the case, but at least I was also informed that the baby wouldn’t get the effects of the cold that I got. That made me feel a lot better, not physically but emotionally.
I’ve proceeded to get bigger; my belly is definitely growing. I think I am finally past the period where I just look fat, and now it’s obvious that I am pregnant, not just letting myself go. I’ve put on more than 15 pounds; I can no longer weigh myself on my little scale here at home. That was quite a sight: I transferred over to the scale on a bench and then balanced on my butt while trying to lift my legs up onto the scale. My belly has gotten too big, and I can’t balance anymore.
So I have to go into the rehabilitation hospital where they have a scale you can roll onto in your chair. It’s pretty cool and at least I have some way of knowing how much weight I’m putting on. Transfers are definitely more difficult with an extra 15+ pounds; I can only imagine the challenge they will be with 25-30+ pounds. Sitting up in bed has proven to be a new sport for me as well. Between my growing belly and my violent spasms, some mornings it takes me several tries to successfully sit up.
So far I haven’t outgrown my wheelchair, but I must admit, sometimes I take off my side guards to let my hips breathe, its getting that tight. I did have a girlfriend who had to get a bigger wheelchair when she was pregnant. I’m really hoping I won’t have to go that far; it would be quite an expense. I suppose I could rent a wider chair for the last few months, but I sure hope it doesn’t come to that.
My mom and two other friends are throwing me a shower this weekend; it should be fun. We registered for all the stuff we think we need, but to be honest, we don’t really have a clue what we need other than the basics: crib, diapers, car seat, onesies, etc. We are truly entering the unknown and from what I can gather, it’s trial by fire. Each baby, kid, has different needs, wants, etc. We’ll just have to figure out what works best for ours on our own. But, I have so appreciated all the advice that my fellow Disaboomers have shared with me through their comments. Please keep them coming.
The baby is really active now. I can see and feel (occasionally) it moving around frequently. I think our child is going to be a night owl, like me, because there’s more activity around midnight, probably because I am still up and going as well. It is still amazing to sit and watch my belly move around—kind of freaky, but really cool. It makes it all real, that is for sure.
I have to say, I am really very lucky. So far this pregnancy has been pretty easy. I didn’t have any morning sickness to speak of and only some heartburn occasionally. Other than fatigue, which I seem to have all the time, it’s been basically normal.
What scares me is that because it’s been pretty easy this time, I’ll be tricked into getting pregnant again and the next time will be just the opposite! Oh well, I do think we will want a second child, but we aren’t committing to anything just yet. I would go through this even if it was more difficult, because the end result is so wonderful and amazing. Isn’t that what women say about childbirth? I guess I should wait to commit to anything until after the labor and delivery!
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Check out Muffy's previous pregnancy blog: Disability and Pregnancy, Part 7 — Week 21 or follow up on Muffy and her baby shower in Disability and Pregnancy, Part 9 - Week 28.
For more information on Muffy, visit Muffy's Disaboom member profile.
Need help searching for the right toys for your child who has a disability? See Choosing the Best Toys for Your Child with Special Needs.
