It has just flown by, so fast that I completely failed to update my blog between weeks 17 and now!
In short weeks 17-27 were great! I felt amazing and had loads of energy. The only downfall was feeling a bit of a blimp! I just looked like I had been at the biscuit box, which at times was entertaining, especially with some of the looks you get from people who haven’t seen you in a while!
From week 27 onwards its obvious that you are growing a tiny human. At 31 weeks I went to Portugal for a friends Hen Party, it was so much fun. I thought am I crazy for going? Then decided sunshine was just what the doctor ordered! (Although right now at 39 weeks pregnant in this heat wave I disagree!) The best thing about being pregnant on the hen party was I had the best excuse for going home early! I’m not really a party animal anyway and do love my sleep so was able to sneak off a smidge earlier than the 2-3am everyone else rolled in!
Speaking of Sleep…things that change in the third trimester.
SLEEP
This might be the hardest thing I have had to contend with, but then I should be grateful because my body is preperaing me for little sleep once the wee bean arrives. I wake up at least 5 times a night, either because I’m too hot, my feet are too hot (not just weather related, I am definitely running hotter in pregnancy), I need ANOTHER wee, my hips hurt, legs are cramping, or baby has given me a good kicking!
I purchased a pregnancy pillow quite early on, it arrived at about 17 weeks. It was nice then, but been a god send since the third trimester started. The support the pillow offers for my legs and bump are amazing, and yes I still wake up a lot, but at least it keeps me more comfortable than without it. The weight of bump is supported meaning the liagments around my baby bump get a break!
Others things you can do to helps sleep include:
Sticking to a sleep schedule – try to regulate your body clock by going to bed and getting up at the same time everyday. Since I have been on maternity leave I am sleeping in longer, but allowing myself that time means I know I am rested. Instead of being up by 6-30am its now a respectable 8am, but try not to stay in bed longer because it means your body clock will get out of sink.
Plenty of gentle exrecise – this can also help with leg cramps! Swimming, yoga and gentle walking will help and tire you out just enough to promote good sleep at night!
Acknowledge and thus take control of your worries – becoming a new mum means your mind can do overtime! I know I have been worrying about all sorts of funny things, from how will I know what to dress the baby in to are the windows clean enough! Writing lists of things I want to achieve in the day has been helpful and just chatting things through with Ben and my mum have been invaluable!
Try relxation techniques including breathing exercises – Progressive muscle relaxation has been proven to be very effective at helping to bring on sleep. It focuses on tensing, and then relaxing, groups of muscles in your body, alternating between your right and left side. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by tensing and releasing your hand and forearm muscles, first on one side and then on the other.
- Repeat with your upper arms, face and jaw, chest and shoulders, tummy (as best you can!), thighs, and so on until you reach your feet.
These techniques are often used in yoga classes along with deep breathing exercises. Try a pregnancy yoga class in the evening to help.
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