Monday, March 10, 2008

"My legs feel like they have Mexican jumping beans implanted in them."

This is how my friend Sarah describes how her legs feel right now in late pregnancy, and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree. Leg issues are one of my biggest issues right now. When I try to sleep I wake up with the uncontrollable urge to move them. So for the past several nights I've gotten up between 1 and 4 at least twice and gone on a 1/2 hour walk looping my kitchen island and table, then done the stairs as many times as I can manage, and then done what stretches I can figure out to make the unbearable sensations go away before attempting to go back to bed again.

JL has a theory about this. He thinks that my restless legs, and continual walking are sending a message to the baby saying "don't come out yet--we haven't reached safety." I think my body is doing this to get my body read for the restless nights that come with a newborn. Either way, I'm tired of having my legs feel like they belong to someone else and hope the feeling goes away after delivery.

Speaking of delivery, there are no signs that anything is happening. At my last ultrasound, when the tech was measuring the fluid levels, she commented that there was plenty of fluid for the baby to stay inside another month! This is exactly what I don't want to hear! Usually your fluid levels drop as your body prepares to deliver, but mine are slowly rising, and creating a La-Z-Boy environment for our little guy. Maybe if it were less comfortable in there he'd consider coming out! At my next appointment in 3 days, when I'll be 41 weeks, we'll talk induction, but I doubt it would happen sooner than next week since my appointment is on a Thursday, and they won't want to rush it, or do it on the weekend. Here's hoping things happen naturally before then.

5 comments:

Melanie said...

When I reached the end of my first two, I put a package of my favorite cookies in my hospital bags. Each morning when I woke up STILL pregnant, I ate one. It gave me something to look forward to at least!

Sarah said...

I'm sorry you're having this problem too- it is so horrible! I had it with Ethan too, though not quite as bad, and I remember it disappearing pretty quickly after he was born. Or maybe I was just too delirious to notice.

I like Melanie's cookie idea. I just may have to try that.

Loralee Choate said...

Oh, that is the WORST.
I hope that you deliver soon. I know you are miserable.

It was so good talking to you today.
Miss your guts.

Tamee said...

I like JL idea, it kindof makes me think of you as a pioneer. So hold on Amy until we reach the great valley.
Also I agree with Melanie. It can't hurt and who wouldn't want a cookie each morning.
Have you tried having JL massage your legs? Can hurt, and it maybe the only time in your marriage when you can guilt him into it. I always sucker Keith into stuff when I'm pregnant. It's only 9-10 months. Live it up!!

Hang in there. I bet your Dr. induces on Friday. We had a next day induction with Taryn.Can't wait to see him.

Claudia said...

The cookie idea is awesome - I wish I had heard that a few months ago! I had major edema and varicose veins in my legs, and honestly, 6 weeks later, I can't remember why it bothered me so much - maybe the sleep deprivation is good for something...
Hope you can stay well, and we wish you much luck for the delivery.