Me @33 weeks, alhamdulillahAt this stage, I have a few common minor and temporary complaints. Backache and back pain are absolutely unavoidable as it is a problem common for pregnant ladies caused by pregnancy hormones that have a relaxing effect on our joints and ligaments. Supporting the weight of our bum also means there's more strain on the back. This, goes without saying, affects my sleep badly as I now do not enjoy the luxury of a good night sleep due to the pain and my swelling belly. Even with support pillows all around me don't seem to do me justice. Sleeping with the suggested position helps a little. For now, I can only be happy sleeping on my side.
I have started to notice a week back that I always woke up with finger pain and numbness, and also at the wrist. I can't even flex my fingers right. At first I thought I have slept on my fingers since I've been sleeping on my side, but after experiencing it everytime I wake up from sleep, I became worried. A visit to the doctor one day answered my question. This pain and numbness is caused by swelling and weight gain (I must have gained a lot!). My readings confirm that too. So, I have been watching the way I sleep and flexing my wrists and fingers regularly throughout the day. My husband will now and then massage my hands and wrists upwards. Those things help to ease the pain. Besides, I drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy to avoid excessive weight gain.
Next, leg cramps. I experienced my first leg cramp during my 4th month. I was jolted from sleep with this muscle contraction that gave a sharp pain in my legs. It was absolutely nothing like I have ever experienced before. I was crying the whole time. Wailing, was more like it. My husband didn't know what to do so he just massaged the muscle until the cramp subsided. This cramp strikes more now. It hurts real bad that sometimes I am afraid to go to sleep. From my readings, it said that this is caused by the extra weight that I am carrying and the pressure it puts on my leg. Too little calcium and potassium in the diet can be factors too. So, I have been increasing on my milk intake and eating lots and lots of vegie and fruits. I also try to stay as active as possible by walking and I stretch my legs before I go to sleep. So far, alhamdulillah, I have been cramp-free for 3 days now since the last strike.
I have started to notice a week back that I always woke up with finger pain and numbness, and also at the wrist. I can't even flex my fingers right. At first I thought I have slept on my fingers since I've been sleeping on my side, but after experiencing it everytime I wake up from sleep, I became worried. A visit to the doctor one day answered my question. This pain and numbness is caused by swelling and weight gain (I must have gained a lot!). My readings confirm that too. So, I have been watching the way I sleep and flexing my wrists and fingers regularly throughout the day. My husband will now and then massage my hands and wrists upwards. Those things help to ease the pain. Besides, I drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy to avoid excessive weight gain.
Next, leg cramps. I experienced my first leg cramp during my 4th month. I was jolted from sleep with this muscle contraction that gave a sharp pain in my legs. It was absolutely nothing like I have ever experienced before. I was crying the whole time. Wailing, was more like it. My husband didn't know what to do so he just massaged the muscle until the cramp subsided. This cramp strikes more now. It hurts real bad that sometimes I am afraid to go to sleep. From my readings, it said that this is caused by the extra weight that I am carrying and the pressure it puts on my leg. Too little calcium and potassium in the diet can be factors too. So, I have been increasing on my milk intake and eating lots and lots of vegie and fruits. I also try to stay as active as possible by walking and I stretch my legs before I go to sleep. So far, alhamdulillah, I have been cramp-free for 3 days now since the last strike.
Swollen hands and feet (oedema) are common and they are also unavoidable. They are a result of a chain reaction in the body. During pregnancy, we acquire extra blood and the growing uterus puts pressure on our blood vessels that causes our blood to pool. The pressure from the trapped blood forces water down into the tissues of our ankle and feet which then results in the swelling. I notice my first swelling at my nose and then my feet and fingers. I have changed shoes/sandals three times due to the swelling. And I have joined my watch strap twice, I don't think I am doing it anymore. Don't even talk about fitting my rings. I'd like to think that my oedema is normal. For now, I raise my feet whenever possible as it gives me that soothing and relaxing effect. And I walk a lot, too. Plus, I drink a lot of water to avoid hydration.
Besides that, stretch marks is inevitable. It is now noticeable especially at my thighs, stomachs and my calf. They are red spots/stretches caused by weight gain. I try to religiously apply Bio Oil at these areas (I sometimes forget due to fatigue and sleepiness). Hopefully it works. Another thing that's worrying me is the red spots that seem to appear on my skin especially at the stomach. They are not rashes and they don't always itch that bad. It is more like body acne of some kind. The doctor said that this is again due to the hormones and they will disappear gradually but I can't help but worry especially when they resurface more. I am applying the cream that the doctor prescribed and am also using the Aiken medicated talc daily. Will need to update with my O&G this coming check-up.
Besides that, stretch marks is inevitable. It is now noticeable especially at my thighs, stomachs and my calf. They are red spots/stretches caused by weight gain. I try to religiously apply Bio Oil at these areas (I sometimes forget due to fatigue and sleepiness). Hopefully it works. Another thing that's worrying me is the red spots that seem to appear on my skin especially at the stomach. They are not rashes and they don't always itch that bad. It is more like body acne of some kind. The doctor said that this is again due to the hormones and they will disappear gradually but I can't help but worry especially when they resurface more. I am applying the cream that the doctor prescribed and am also using the Aiken medicated talc daily. Will need to update with my O&G this coming check-up.
Despite everything, I am absolutely grateful that I get to experience all of these. To be pregnant itself is the ultimate gift from Allah SWT. This is indeed a great bounty of Allah SWT. The virtues of pregnancy make it all a worthwhile experience after all.
It is narrated from the Prophet of Islam that:
“When the woman becomes pregnant, all angels of heaven would pray for her forgiveness as well as all the creatures of the sea. For everyday Allah would write in her account the reward of one thousand good deeds and forgives one thousand misdeeds.
When the child labor commence, Allah would give her the rewards of those who struggle for the sake of Allah (jihad), the reward of the Martyrs and the pious ones. Her sins would be cleansed like a new born. In addition, Allah would give her the rewards of seventy pilgrimages.
When she nurses her child, for every drop of milk Allah would reward her one good deed and forgives one misdeed. Even the heavenly creatures of Paradise-‘hur al’ien, pray to Allah for her forgiveness"
MashaAllah, how rewarding! How loving Allah is. Let us express our endless gratitude to Him for all that He has bestowed upon us, whether we are pregnant or not.
6 Replies:
Tasha, if u get another leg cramps, suruh rizal push your tapak kaki bhgian depan towards you. He knows, budak2 bola mesti tau mcm mana nk hilangkan cramp. ;)
yes yes! my mom ada suruh buat jugak, although a bit painful it helps. tapi kekadang in the middle of the night dah mamai2 rizal x ingat pun nak buat mcm tu. i have to tell him. thanks anyway! :)
tasha, makan pil calsiumla. el xminum susu pun during pregnant. sempat habes 1 tin je susu tapi pil calsium memang xtinggal.before tu memang cramp setiap malam.huhu
dulu2 masa firt trimester i took calcium pills gak sebab tak boleh minum susu. maybe I could start taking again together dgn susu kan? just nak tambah camcium dalam diet. thanks el!
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I really admire women who carry children in their bodies.
One day, I hope to have one of my own & I will support my wife through all of her difficulty.
=)
No problem Jarod! I am experiencing all of these for the first time and it mmakes me appreciate mothers and especially my mother more. Nevertheless, they are going to be worth it in the end. The experience is something that you can't explain. And yes, I pray that you will be granted children in abundance Jarod! :)
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