Well, while according to the calendar I bypassed 34 weeks, according to my last visit, I am showing to be at 36 weeks. This is not surprising given how my little one seemed to undertake a rapid growth in a matter of days. One day I felt fine. The next, my hips, butt and the insides of my thighs were screaming in agony. And I could no longer walk normal no matter how hard I tried.
Well, perhaps the word “agony” is a slight exaggeration – but only slight. Today is the first day in 3 weeks where, while I’m still waddling, I haven’t felt sharp, very bothersome pains in my butt and hips.
As of today, cooking is becoming very difficult. I have to stand a good distance away from the sink. Bending down to put dishes in the dishwasher is uncomfortable. My sense of balance as well as my sense of picking up and holding onto things is temporarily out the window. I am forever dropping things. At this stage, I either call for the dog (if it’s a food item) or my spouse (if it’s anything else) and have them pick it up. Sometimes I cry over this. I mean, how difficult is it to hold onto a carrot or a sock?
I’ve also lost sight of my brain. Tonight my husband asked me if there was anything he could get me. “Yes,” I responded, “please go locate my mind and reinsert it.”
I wasn’t joking.
Today, while talking with my friend/neighbor, I forgot the word I was looking for. That wouldn’t be such a tragedy if it were just a random event. However, in the course of our 10 minute conversation, I blanked out numerous times. At one point, I realized I was simply staring at a tree, about ready to give birth to beautiful white blossoms, sort of like what I’m gearing up to do and suddenly, I realized I was someplace else and ok now it’s time to return to the present moment and looking at my friend/neighbor, WHAT is your name again (I’ve only known her for FOUR YEARS) and what were we talking about?
Oh yes, and do you happen to have any chocolate on hand?
Sigh…
One little interesting side effect of this pregnancy thing that seems to be quite noticable are my fingernails. I can practically see them grow. I cut them all off one week ago (I normally keep them very short and I mean short as in no whites showing). Today they are long. And strong. And none are broken. The hair on my head, which until recently, seemed to actually be growing unusually slow, seems to be growing overnight. But as far as the hair growth on my legs, that has remained almost non-existant. I can still go a week without shaving.
I ain’t complaining about that!
I’m noticing some slight swelling in my ankles and feet. I thought I was going to go the entire pregnancy without that symptom.
I was wrong.
I’m also burping throughout the hour. That increases when I lie down. Farting has also increased. And sadly, for my husband, who has to sleep in the same bed as I, that also increases when I lie down.
Adding to the idea of dropping socks and carrots, I’m also forever spilling food on myself when I eat. Again, how hard is it really to bring a spoonful of applesauce to your mouth or a bite of toast?
I guess you could say in a nutshell I’ve become a waddling, bloated, spacey, clutzy, forgetful, food-dropping, burping creature who can out-fart any young male.
But now and then, a gentle little movement from my little one reminds me there’s a reason behind all of these experiences.
A very wonderful, beautiful reason.
