By this point in your pregnancy, you may be tired of the whole business. You're tired and achey, and it seems like every day a new part of your body hurts. When you're pregnant, pains are a fact of life, but you don't have to let them get you down! Here's what you can do to deal with the aches, pains, and various discomforts that come with pregnancy.
1. Pelvic Girdle Pain
Many women feel pain in their pelvic joints during the later stages of pregnancy. This is called pelvic girdle pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction, and it can interfere with all kinds of activities including walking, climbing the stairs, or even just rolling over in your bed at night.
If you're dealing with this, speak with your doctor or midwife right away. They may refer you to a physical therapist, who can relieve the pain through manual techniques. The quicker you get started on this, the sooner you will recover from pelvic girdle pain after your baby is born.
2. Changes in Your Breasts
Your breasts may not be painful, but there's a good chance that they're pretty uncomfortable by now. They are already getting ready to make milk for your baby, and your nipples may be leaking colostrum. This creamy, honey-colored fluid is full of antibodies and essential nutrients for your baby.
A well-fitting bra is essential for your comfort. Look for one that has wide straps and no underwire for maximum comfort. You may also need to pick up some breast pads to protect against the occasional leak.
3. Pregnancy Back Pain
When you're pregnant, back pain may be a way of life. During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin, which loosens your tendons and ligaments to prepare for childbirth. This hormone, combined with the extra weight you're carrying in front, can put quite a strain on your back.
It's important to be gentle with your back. Try some gentle stretching throughout the day, avoid any heavy lifting, and try to roll out of bed in the morning rather than leaping right up. You can also try a prenatal yoga class to keep your back happy.
4. Skin Blemishes
Not all of us are lucky enough to keep that "glow" throughout the whole pregnancy. Some of us end up with dry patches, blemishes, and rashes. You may even end up with darker skin on your face known as melasma. This will gradually fade after you have your baby.
Most of this is harmless, but if you notice any changes in the moles on your body, check with your doctor to make sure it's not skin cancer.
5. Clumsiness
Maybe you were perfectly graceful before you got pregnant, but now you are constantly bumping into things and tripping over your own feet. This is perfectly normal and can be chalked up to all of the constant changes going on in your body. Not only are you larger than usual, but your joints are loosening as well. So just remember to be extra careful when you're walking down the stairs or navigating slippery surfaces.
If you do happen to fall, try not to worry! Your baby is well protected inside your body. However, you may want to check with your doctor or midwife just in case.
6. Forgetfulness
"Pregnancy brain" is actually a real thing! It's very common to find yourself constantly forgetting where you put your car keys, why you've just gone upstairs, or what in the world has happened to the remote control.
To minimize this absent-mindedness, try carrying a small notebook with you to jot down reminders of important things, and put small items like your keys in the same place every time you walk in the door. And don't worry, you'll eventually get your memory back!
7. Fatigue
It's normal to feel exhausted in late pregnancy. After all, you are hard at work growing a baby! Try to pace yourself and conserve your energy as much as possible. Pay close attention to your body; if you're getting worn out, it's time to stop what you're doing and take a rest. Make sure you're getting enough calories to keep your energy up as much as possible. And above all, go easy on yourself! If something doesn't get done because you're just too tired, that is perfectly okay. You have more important things to worry about right now.
When you're pregnant and in pain, sometimes it's easy to forget why exactly you're putting yourself through all this. But it will all be worth it in the end!