Thank goodness I have more energy! I went swimming for the first time in months this week and it felt so good to be doing some exercise. I haven’t been able to do much before now mainly down to feeling so awful but I plan on going at least once a week now to help keep me fit during pregnancy.
I’ve also signed up to an antenatal Yoga class. I suffer from a slipped disc and I’m hoping that these sessions will help keep me supple and more flexible for when I have the baby.Â
Swimming is particularly good as it takes the extra weight off and as you get bigger this can be a blissful experience! There’s also less danger of injury and it uses both arm and leg muscle groups so it’s great for keeping toned.
Due to both my aunties suffering from varicose veins I’m fairly keen to avoid them at all costs. According to mum (she doesn’t have any) the reason she doesn’t have any is that she sat with her feet up for pretty much the whole time. Now whilst I would love the opportunity to do that, my job and actually living doesn’t allow for it!
Simple tips as advised by the babycentre:
1. Exercise daily — even just a brisk walk around the block can help.
2. Elevate your feet and legs whenever possible: Keep a stool or box under your desk, and try to lie down on your left side with your feet elevated on a pillow when at home. Since the inferior vena cava is on the right side, left-sided rest relieves it of the weight of the uterus; thus decreasing venous pressure in the lower extremities.
3. Try sleeping on your left side with your feet on a pillow. Wedge a pillow behind your back to keep yourself tilted to the left side.
4. Before getting out of bed in the morning, put on special support tights. By putting them on before standing, you’ll prevent excess blood from gathering in your legs. Keep a clean pair of knickers and your tights under the pillow so you can easily put them on before getting out of bed. If you have a major problem with varicose veins your doctor can prescribe heavy duty tights but they are rather thick and can be uncomfortable in hot weather.
5. Don’t stand on your feet for long periods of time.
6. Don’t cross your legs when sitting down.
7. Be aware that excessive weight gain can contribute to the problem.
If you are pregnant and haven’t signed up to the babycentre’s weekly emails already, I recommend you do now. If its your first pregnancy then it adds to the excitement of knowing what is happening and how your baby is developing, it also has loads of tips and advice on topics ranging from how to choose the perfect buggy, to how to cope with morning sickness (it’s also a good way of getting your partner involved if they’re refusing to read any books on the subject).
A sampler of the email is below.
Your baby is about 12.1cm long from crown to rump and she weighs about 190g. Her chest moves up and down to mimic breathing but she’s not taking in air, only amniotic fluid, which she’s immersed in to protect her as she grows inside the amniotic sac.
Your baby is twice as big as he was last month but he still weighs only about 190g (6.7oz). Meanwhile, most of the weight you’ve gained is from amniotic fluid, placenta, and water retention. Although things may seem calm on the surface, your little one is kicking, flexing, reaching, rolling, and even sucking his thumb now. If you haven’t felt him move yet, you will in the next few weeks. His hearing is now functioning and he will be listening to your heartbeat.
Its amazing to think that this is all happening inside me. I felt the baby’s first movement the other day, its more like a gentle fluttering than anything you would expect so it’s all become more real as the weeks go by.
I’m now at the half way mark so only another 17 weeks to go eek!
