THIRD TRIMESTER: ENDURE BUT ENJOY

You have made it to the final push of your pregnancy! Most of baby’s organ systems are in place and he or she is working on maturing and packing on the pounds for independent survival outside the womb. And as baby’s body and systems continue to come together, mom’s body may feel like its falling more and more apart. You may be feeling all the aches, pains, swelling, fatigue that are interfering with how you once lived your life, but don’t fret. Every day you are getting closer and closer to meeting that little bundle of joy and in the mean time, you simply need to endure and enjoy!

ENDURE

Endure. Now this may not seem like the most positive advice, but hear me out. Endure means to make it through this difficult time that we know will not last forever. Endure means you may have to do things differently than you would normally do for a few months to allow your body to complete this major achievement it is undertaking. Endure means you will have to stay strong when you are feeling that normal discomfort that goes along with sharing your body with a living, growing human being. But endure does NOT mean you need to live in severe pain. Endure does not mean you should not be able to do your work, take care of your family, or take care of yourself. And for these issues, know we are always here to help.

The final push of pregnancy may not go down in your story as the most comfortable time in your life as the weight packs on, those Braxton-Hicks contractions get stronger, and the load continues to weigh on your body and mind, but consulting Life Changes Physical Therapy can help to make this time easier. We can help you identify appropriate modifications to help you get through this final stage. We can help relieve pain with hands on treatments like massage and myofascial release. We can help you prepare your body and mind for the culmination of this journey – labor and delivery. And we can help you enjoy your third trimester of pregnancy.

ENJOY

Enjoy. This may be the most important advice I can give to mommas-to-be. It’s easy to let the aches, discomfort, and stress overwhelm you at this stage in the journey, but remember this will not last forever. And I bet once its gone, you will miss it. Take time to enjoy this moment. Take time to cherish the time that you and baby are spending with one another – already growing together and learning from one another – because all too soon you will have to share your little one with the rest of the world. Take time to enjoy the transformation your body has undergone. This body may not be your ideal one but it sure radiates strength, beauty, and empowerment. Take time to enjoy time with your family and yourself as you are now because once this baby arrives it will undoubtedly change forever. Just take time to enjoy.

If you are having difficulty finding enjoyment in your pregnancy because of your pain, stress, or inability to function, please reach out to Life Changes Physical Therapy today. I would love to discuss how I can improve your pregnancy experience and allow you the enjoyment you and baby deserve!

And stay tuned next week for my final pregnancy stage post: LABOR AND DELIVERY!