Just Need a Big Third Trimester Hug

Hugs. Glad you are well. Not much more to go. If feeling Anxious, I like to go for a stiff March, beat a punching bag, or start cleaning house.

Hug :)
Can you go for a walk? That's my top anxiety reducer.
Or do deep breathing? That works like a charm.
Lay down (or if you can't at this point just sit comfortably). Hand on your belly. Deep breath in through your nose for 4 counts, your hand should go up if you're breathing correctly. It's through diaphragm not chest. Then hold for 2. Then out your mouth for 6. Or whatever feels comfortable and you're not straining at this point.
Do that several times a day. We carry a lot of our anxiety in our bodies. Deep breathing helps relieve that tension.
Another thing I like is a good book. I find I get carried away and forget my woes for a while. Nice mini vacation :)

Just think along these lines:
I've had my quota of bad luck/ill health and I am SO DONE with it!
Now I need to rest up best as I can, and chicken soup all around for the whole family till spring.

Take a float in the bath tub as often as you can (it can take so much pressure off your back).
This won't last forever - and by summer things will be peachy!

you poor sweetheart, this pregnancy has just hammered you! you're a trooper.
just keep plugging away at all the usual solutions, just as you've plugged away at building this baby and keeping the rest of your family afloat throughout this miserable phase.
walk when you can. meditate a little when you can clear some quiet time. have a nice cup of herbal tea. put your feet up. float in a tubbie. read an old favorite book. snuggle with the littles and watch an old favorite movie. take a nap whenever you can. pay attention to your breathing. talk to a tree.
here's your hug. {{{{{}}}}}}
not much longer now!
khairete
S.

What Suz, Diane B., and Margie said :)

Sending you good wishes for perspective, the ability to just focus on one minute at a time, lots of opportunities for deep breathing, getting out of the house, and reading/watching something which nurtures YOU.

Your poor thing - you have had such a rough time of it.

Your immune system is down and that's why you keep getting stuff on top of the whooping cough. I know you can't rest or sleep much - and hand washing only goes so far. When you say you are conscientious about hygiene, do you mean that you are just using regular soap? If you are using antibacterial soap, STOP! Aside from the fact that the chemicals are harmful (the FDA is looking at banning them), they are killing of bacteria only, including good bacteria. This situation allows certain viruses to just flourish because there are no bacteria to keep them in check. Sort of like killing off all the predators and then finding the deer population just explodes, you know?

Most winter germs just really flourish in the warm enclosed house, so DO get out if you can and get some real fresh air. Even short walks when you feel lousy can help.

Anxiety is a problem for you anyway, but it's not helped by the natural desire to have a healthy baby and to be in good shape for the delivery. I'm guessing you are still doing too much or worrying that you aren't doing enough. Am I right? Can you just let some stuff go, like stop making beds and washing floors? A little dirt never hurt anyone, really.

Go down to the public library and see what they have for meditation or relaxation CDs or DVDs. Get the kids out of the house - with Dad, to school, to a sitter or a friend on the street, anything. Do not think for one second about what chores you should be doing, what meals you should be cooking or anything else. Everyone can have cereal, scrambled eggs or turkey sandwiches for dinner once a week - it's really okay. Just put on the disc and zone out, let your thoughts go (which is an effort, so force yourself!), and DO NOTHING for 30 minutes. Breathe. Again. Empty your thoughts completely. Stretch, get comfortable, imagine a beach or a forest stream, and decide that nothing is more important right then than YOU.

Sending hugs. Take 2 today and call me in the morning if you need more!

big hugs for you! Acceptance is the key to curbing the anxiety. You have to learn to accept the things you cannot change or control. Once you have learned acceptance, you will find that you are in a much more serene place. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Repeat numerous times daily! Then let it go and Let God!!!

Spend as much time as you can outside, that always calms me down...every time. I'd also pick a nice day and get your home "aired out". Hang in there Mama, the worst is over...

I am in a similar spot - HUGE hugs!!! Pregnancy can be very un-fun, especially when combined with health issues. I had a nasty cold for several weeks, couldn't shake it. Then I damaged tissue in my ribs from the coughing that wouldn't quit. I am FINALLY feeling better - and now I'm almost done! It's a blessing and a curse when you come out of that sickness-induced fog and realize you missed most of your third trimester...

I really hope you feel better soon.....I am 1 week from a scheduled C-section and am to the "losing my mind" stage. Today I am moody and hormonal and want to rip everyone's head off - including the guy at work that I've known (and had a teensy crush on) for ten years who took one look at me this morning and went WOA!!! (Baby has dropped big time, and I am looking more pregnant than ever...) I couldn't decide whether to punch him in his stupid face or burst into tears. Because I was at work I did neither.

Hang in there mama! Before you know it you'll have earned your bragging rights and it will all be a distant memory. Promise!!! Sending good thoughts your way!

Here's a big hug for you. Do what you need to do to get by until baby is born. Basically the minimums in housekeeping and meals. Let the cleaning go or get someone in to do it for you. Have a local kid come in and watch the older two while you take a nap without interruptions or a long bath or meditation. Do make it all about you right now. The world won't fall apart.

Find some old fashioned bar soap without the antibacterial in it like Ivory to use. Or get a bar or two of the Fels Napa for washing hands and body. Get some cloth towels or paper towels to dry the hands and call it good for a bit.

Just a few more weeks and you will be able to meet your newest family member. It will be just a memory after your meet of all the struggle that went on before.

the other S.

This too shall pass! Sending you hugs! Hang in there!

Here's a big 3rd trimester hug coming your way. Tough enough to be pregnant when you already have kids because you can't just kick back and take care of yourself the way you should. But being so sick on top of it is just too much.

Its all worth it when you end up with that little baby in your arms.

this is a hard time of year to be pregnant!

Hang in there! It will all be over soon. Meanwhile, let the kid watch lots of movies! Take a nap every afternoon (or lay in bed watching something on your ipad.) And don't forget to meditate and do deep breathing throughout the day.

Please do make this all about you! Order out food. have hubby rub your feet and back every night. Get the kids to do more around the house! Enlist all the help you can.