When I'm pregnant, I tend to have a lot of questions, most of them starting with "is it normal...?" I've become an expert at phrasing questions to my bff (google) so that I get exactly what I'm looking for.
As I've mentioned before, people make a lot of comments on my prego body. Why? I don't know. They're probably jealous. Today I was told I haven't grown at all in the last month (by a dear friend, who I love, but honestly if that were true, why can't I even button up the shirt I wore a month ago?) One comment on a fb pic mentioned that it looked like my kid is going to fall out any time. Hmmmm. Thanks?
So yes, I'm carrying lower. I also love that Google supplies suggestions that often pinpoint exactly what I'm looking for. I began typing "2nd pregnancy carrying lower," but after "2nd pregnancy" one suggestion was "differences." I thought that would be a productive search!
GOLDEN! This is what I found:
You carry your baby lower. Your abdominal muscles get stretched so much by the first pregnancy that they're weaker. (add in the fact that I didn't really take time to tone up in the 10 months between pregnancies!) As a result, they can't support a baby as well as they did before, so the fetus drops lower in your abdomen. The upside to carrying lower is that you'll probably breathe more easily and eat more comfortably than in your first pregnancy. The downside? You may find that the urge to urinate frequently starts earlier and you may have increased pelvic discomfort from the additional pressure on your bladder and pelvic area. (AHA!) You can relieve some of the discomfort with Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Carrying lower may also result in added strain on your lower back.(Hence the terrible pains a few weeks ago when I wasn't as careful about lifting the toddler with my legs) Ask your physician or childbirth educator about abdominal strengthening exercises that can reduce back pain. Also take the following precautions during your daily activities:
Avoid heavy lifting or arching your back. (Is a 21 lb toddler considered heavy?)
When standing, keep the muscles in your lower back relaxed by bending your knees.
When resting, lie on your side with a pillow between your legs or one or both knees bent.
If you'll be sitting for a while, relieve some of the pressure on your lower spine by resting your feet on a low stool.
Friends are great aren't they? Always providing reassurance, sometimes just telling you how it is. Thanks "G"!
5 comments:
So funny. Helpful too. A lot of it was true as I looked back with Fox. I wonder how the 3rd pregnancy will be!! You do look great though. I need to get to know your bff better.
Good to know what to expect the second time around when that time draws near...
I gave blood last week and they told me "no heavy lifting for the next 4-5 hours" and I, too, wondered if my 20 pound boy counted as heavy lifting (not quite the same as being pregnant, though!)
I've relied on google for entirely too many things... especially when it came to pregnancy! Now it's my "mommy helper" too! Isn't the Internet such a great invention?! Seriously. OH and I have a maternal fitness book that I LOVE that targets core strength for having a good pregnancy, birth, and healing after birth! You are welcome to borrow it, since I still have your nursing book ;) Let me know!
Congrats on the pregnancy, and don't you just love google. i did the same thing when i was pregnant.
Indeed, I love our friend, google. What did I do before I met him/her?!
Good luck with the last month... You're almost there!
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