SO uncomfortable at 33 weeks- I don't think I can make it
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Anonymous
| 33, almost 34 weeks and I have been feeling pretty great up until the last 2 weeks. My back has hurt off and on, but that was it. It's like a switch went off and I am so huge and uncomfortable. My back hurts all the time- it's gotten to the point where even sitting on the couch, it hurts and is hard to get comfortable. My hands are so swollen, my knuckles ache so bad and I wake up at night with my fingertips on fire. I told my dr weeks ago about the tingling in my hands and she prescribed braces for me, which I wear, but I don't know if they do anything, and now my knuckles and fingers are so swollen, that's almost worse than the burning. My feet are really swollen and the skin feels bruised. Sleep is really difficult- I sleep propped up on my side, but at least a couple of times a night I wake up with my hands and fingers burning. Is there anything I can do? My dr is very hands off and just prescribed the braces at last visit but I am so uncomfortable with the hand and back pain I really don't think I can make it to 40 weeks. When people see me in a store or something and ask my due date, they say "you'll never make it"! Part of me is so done with this already, but seeing as we have nothing in the nursery and are still deciding on name, I hope I make it! Are there any tips you experienced preggers can give me? I was so miserable today and the last few days, I really need some relief. |
Anonymous
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I was exactly you with my first pregnancy. All I can say is hang in there, and take lots of long baths. It was pretty much the only time I got relief. My DH literally had to squeeze my fingers every morning to get enough fluid out that I could at least bend my fingers. The other thing that helped was taking unisom or Tylenol PM when the pain was really bad (both are safe). Getting at least a little sleep was helpful. If you can sleep on a recliner, do it, though it will only help a little.
I swore I would never make it, but I did all the way to my due date. So just take care of yourself and do whatever, whenever feels most bearable. |
Anonymous
| OP here- I can't sleep in a recliner because my back pain is so bad- I can't lay or sit flat against anything for very long. I haven't taken a bath bc I've been afraid I'll take too hot of one- I used to take really hot baths and I know I can't do that now but I don't know what the right temp is. Showers do help. I tried Unisom in the past but it didn't do too much. I'll try Tylenol Pm, thank you. |
Anonymous
| What about going swimming? That could give you some temporary relief. |
Anonymous
I don't want to override medical advice, but I don't think hot baths are as much of an issue at your stage (all the major development has already happened). I don't know how hot you take them, but it seems unlikely that you could draw a bath hot enough in a tub to be a concern. You could always get a tub thermometer (you'll need one for the baby anyway). |
Anonymous
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OP I'd see a second doctor if you continue to be really uncomfortable. While all those symptoms sound normal, a second doctor may have a new set of ideas. Also, while I doubt it's the case, you might want to 110% rule out the possibility that there is an actual issue.
Hang in there. As PPs have said, in the third trimester a lot of things are ok that wouldn't have been so great earlier so keep an open mind. I agree with the sleep meds -- Benedryl is safe as are the meds other PPs mentioned that have the same active ingredient. But in the obvious safe category, what about a body pillow that can prop you up? I got this triangle pillow my husband used when he threw his back out and sleep with that which kept my head up about 20 degrees. Don't wear rings and get the comfiest shoes you can find -- I went to the old lady shoe store and was so happy after I left. |
Anonymous
| It might seem crazy in the summer heat but I found relief sitting in my car with lumbar support and heated seat (since it heats lower back). If you have this option or access to car it might help discomfort. |
Anonymous
Swim! Get your poor self to the pool and float around. It will help! If it helps, my DD came at 37 weeks, so maybe you don't have as long as it seems! 
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Anonymous
| OP again- I have the boppy wedge pillow and that plus 6 other pillows is the only way I can sleep- I can't lay flat even on my side because of the carpal tunnel. And yes, the heating pad is my savior!! I use it to get to sleep and it has an auto shut off so I usually wind up detangling it from my pillows and turning it back on in the middle of the night. I guess I could try a bath, too. Thanks all for your kind advice- |
Anonymous
| Ugh I was so miserable too - how is your bp? I assume they are checking you for pre-e? |
Anonymous
| OP here, last visit my BP had gone up a bit but was still fine. I go back to the dr tomorrow. That was my thought, that I had pre-e bc my swelling is so severe, but my BP has been fine so far. |
Anonymous
| No advice just encouragement. You can do it! Keep focusing on meeting your little guy or girl at the end. It's all worth it and will become a distant memory soon enough. |
Anonymous
| No advice, just commiseration, my whole pregnancy has been really miserable and I can't believe I have a good seven weeks to go. Hard to imagine it. |
Anonymous
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Pre-e snuck up on me. I had crazy swollen hands and feet but normal BPs for weeks. Went for my 36 week appointment and had protein in my urine and BP was high. Induced that night. Here was the kicker my BP had been rising steadily but because my BP is normally low 90s/60s when it hit 125/80 it wasn't high but it was high for me. The docs paid attention but not me. They saw it coming and I had now idea. Hadn't even packed the bag yet. All turned out well, baby girl born 36w1day and fine. She didn't have to spend any time in nicu.
Good luck and watch those BPs. |
Anonymous
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I agree on the swimming rec, I think it helped me a lot. But it may be hard to get started if you aren't swimming already and you're that uncomfortable. I remember feeling like you feel around 36 weeks, and then it actually eased up a bit. It was like my body reached a point of being too stretched, and then it adjusted (or I got used to it) toward the end.
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