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Now in the 18th week of pregnancy I am starting to look properly pregnant. (Have you seen my recently updated haggard looking pregnant Twitter picture?)
At 18 weeks pregnancy, according to Babycentre:
Sticky Bean is …
about 12cm long from crown to rump and weighs about 190g. The chest moves up and down to mimic breathing. Blood vessels are visible through thin skin, and ears are now in their final position, although they’re still standing out from the head a bit.
The foetus is covered in Vernix Caseosa, a thick, white, waxy substance that protects the skin from becoming chapped or scratched.
The permanent teeth buds are also forming behind the already formed milk teeth buds.
My Android app “I’m Expecting” tells me Sticky Bean might be starting to sleep this week and find a favourite position, even dreaming when reaching the REM stage of sleep. …I hope it’s a skill that is mastered well by this little Bean!
About two weeks ago I felt the first flutters of movement. On the morning of New Years Days, after a long day of using support for my tummy and pelvis, when I took it off I could feel Sticky Bean stretching out, as if saying “finally you are giving your womb and me space Mum!”
Now the pregnancy niggles are really starting to kick in:
Although the nausea has disappeared, dizziness has taken it’s place acting as a reminder to keep up with eating little and often. I just wish these little and often bites didn’t fall into the junk food category so often. They are too often the easy and handy choice.
This week I have had a fair few headaches, which are a normal side effect of pregnancy. They can be an indicator of pre-eclampsia, so I am keeping an eye on other sign- oedema, high blood pressure. (Although the NHS site says it usually comes after mid point, my best friend suffered severely from it from 1st trimester, which makes me more aware of the condition.) Luckily none of these symptoms are consistently rearing their head for me. I try to drink often to combat the headaches, hoping they are from not keeping up my levels of hydration rather than anything else.
The other bain of my life is PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain or otherwise known as SPD )! Having had Pelvic Girdle Pain in previous two pregnancies I was expecting it. It started off in the sacro-iliac joint (lower back) and has moved to the synthesis pubis and lower groin area.
Ouch!
Currently, I have to limit walking and especially going up and down stairs, no jumping, running for me either. The crutches were dusted off and placed in the ready, when my hips gave way last week in the house. I think, the body’s reaction to pain and strain is to just disengage the muscles. Not very helpful when walking. Luckily, I had the kitchen counter to grab onto. I am hoping that as the foetus grows it wedges in and stabilises my pelvis (as it happened in my second pregnancy) and I will become more mobile again.
Our local hospital offers group sessions initially to educate those suffering with PGP in pregnancy and help manage the condition. As I have a history of Pelvic Girdle Pain from both previous pregnancies, I have been referred directly to an individual physiotherapist in this pregnancy who I’m seeing next week. I look forward to the appointment. Although I know it will not be a miracle cure, but we will, hopefully, work out a specific plan to manage the condition so I can avoid crutches for as long as possible.
In my own attempt to help with PGP, I have started some aquanatal classes, which helped even after one session.
Did you suffer or are you suffering from SPD or PGP? Any tips on what worked to improve the condition and your mobility?
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As you say , spd -ouchy! I suffered with both my pregnancies. The few tips I have for you are take the pain meds if you are offered them, get yourself a “grabber ” to help you get your socks/knickers on and get stuff off the floor, if you have a shower over the bath that you use-get a bath seat and get a slippery nightie to help you turn over in bed.
I had SPD in both my pregnancies, it effing sucks, doesn’t it!?
I found that sleeping with a pillow between my legs helped, taking it very easy when possible. I was referred to a physio which helped loads, and did a lot of bouncing on a yoga ball.
Your bump is lovely! x
Physio helped me a lot, but made me wear a horribly tight girdle that kept my hips in place but prevented me from falling asleep… As I woke up every time I rolled into a new position anyway, I decided sleep was more important… and avoided all staircases for 5 months…
The pillow trick Steph recommends is definitely worth trying.
Good luck Monika.
Hi, I had also had it in all 3 of my pregnancies. My amazing “cure” was seeing a mctimony chiropractor who specialises in babies and pregnancy. Saw her in desperation towards the end of my 2nd pregnancy and in 1 session it pretty much disappeared. Did the physio thing,belt, painkillers etc etc and nothing else gave much relief. Definitely try get in contact with a chiro in your area, by don’t tell the NHS physio or they won’t be able to treat you!
I don’t know what it is, so chances are I am not suffering from it! I am sorry that you are, but it sounds like you are finding ways to make yourself even just a little bit more comfortable. Read your post on the aquanatal classes, and those sound really cool!