The Bean: Week 25

We're in the six month, folks! I can't believe it!

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The Bean is moving and throwing punches quite regularly. The other night the Bean kicked so hard that it woke me from my sleep! Ask Phil or any of my family members... I do not wake easily. Good job, Beansie! You're getting so strong!!

I have been putting lotion on my tummy and drinking copious amounts of water to see if it helps with preventing stretch marks. I realize there is not much you can do to stop them, but I feel like I have to try! So far so good, but I'm pretty sure that I will get them. At the end of the day, it's okay. They will be battle scars!

Earlier I mentioned that I was on a sort of bed rest so I thought I should explain. I had been having intense lower back pain and limited movement in my hips. When I walked or moved my legs they would click and pop at the pelvic joints. It's extremely painful, but I thought that it was just normal pregnancy back pain and decided to try and power through it.
It got worse and I couldn't walk very well. I shuffled sort of like an old lady, so I mentioned it to my midwife and she diagnosed me with having SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction). When you are pregnant your body produces this hormone called 'relaxin' which does exactly what it sounds like. It relaxes the ligaments to prepare your body for birth, which is a good thing! However, in my case it relaxed things too much and I have extra space in my pelvis which is causing everything to grind, and click, and pop together. It hurts. Because of this I am not allowed to do excessive walking or carry heavy things, or even push a shopping cart. I have to sit up straight like a lady and I can't cross my legs.

I've learned a lot about pain management, posture, and proper movements and it has definitely helped! I've seen an improvement in my mobility but I still have to take it easy as it will be a lingering thing throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Phil sent me to go get a pregnancy massage and it was amaaaaaaaazing! It helped so so much and I immediately gained more mobility after that. I also learned a few tricks where to apply pressure to relieve the tension. It was awesome.

So! The good news is that I'm feeling a lot better and I am not shuffling like an old lady! I'm also off pain medication for now. I still waddle like a duck and I'm pretty slow, but things are definitely better! For those of you that I had talked to about this, thank you for your prayers! They are really appreciated.

So, I've started the countdown to meet this little Bean. I can't wait to hold and snuggle the baby. I can't wait to see if it is a boy or a girl! I can't wait to announce the name.

I can't wait to be at the finish line with the prize of a sweet baby.

xoxo
Talia Christine