Waddle, Waddle
Throughout this pregnancy, I was determined not to waddle like a pregnant woman. I’ve caught myself many, many times and slowed down in order to walk “normal” (whatever normal is.) This is getting more difficult as time goes on. Lately, I’ve been waking up every morning with a lot of pain in my hips and legs and when I first get up I have to support myself by leaning against furniture. I should just get a walker or a cane.
Anyways, this morning I was feeling particularly motivated to get some things done. I woke up and made a mental checklist of the things I needed to do. I gave myself a pep talk and then got out of bed. My body didn’t like that idea and before I knew it I was crumpled on the floor. I got back up and slowed myself down. After making myself some breakfast I sat down to check my email. I get a daily email from What To Expect. Here’s what today’s email said:
Week 36: Walk the Walk of a Penguin — or a Pregnant Woman
Welcome to your last month of pregnancy! By now, you’re definitely looking the part of a nearly full-term pregnant women (wide load, coming through), but are you walking the part? Do you have that telltale stride, the penguin waddle that many third-trimester moms-to-be seem to affect? The pregnant waddle is not in your imagination, it’s in your connective tissue. Those persistent pregnancy hormones (when will they leave you alone?) cause the connective tissue in your body to soften and loosen. And that’s particularly important now that you’re nearing D-day (delivery day). Your baby - who’s grown quite large by this point - needs to squeeze through your pelvic bones, so it’s a good thing that they’re more flexible now.
The downside to all this joint flexibility (besides the resemblance you now bear to your feathered friends up north) is discomfort in your pelvis and hip. Add the pressure from your baby’s head (burrowing deeper and deeper into your pelvis now) and your heavier uterus weighing you down, and it’s no wonder it’s a pain to walk around these days. To relieve the pain, relax with your hips elevated, do some pelvic exercises, take warm baths, apply warm compresses, get a massage, or try some complementary and alternative therapies. A belly sling may be helpful, too.
No more denial for me. I’ve decided I’m just going to give in and waddle. I’m going to hold my head up high and do the best penguin impersonation I can think of.
Speaking of pregnancy, we were thrown a baby shower yesterday afternoon. It was very nice. I may have mentioned it earlier. Anyways, it was an open house style couples shower. It was fun to receive baby stuff. After all these months of talking and thinking about having a baby, it seems a little more real now that there are baby clothes hanging in the closet and diapers waiting to be used in the corner. I really appreciate the generosity of those who gave…especially by those whom I barely know.
I can’t wait to meet my baby girl!
