Low rider syndrome
April 20, 2010 by Shannon
Ah ha. Now I get what people mean when they say “every pregnancy is different.” I am only 26 weeks pregnant, and this baby feels like she is going to fall right out. In fact, sometimes I think she might be considering poking an arm out to check the weather. (Don’t bother, sweetie. There’s rain in the forecast. AGAIN.)
I’ve called my nurse at the OB office twice now, because not only is the baby low, but there’s a little pain and pressure going on too. And because I’m terrified about the possibility that my stress levels might bring on an early birth (uh…can you say nightmare scenario?) I just had to run it by her. Her solution to this constant Low Rider Syndrome? The Mom-Ez maternity support belt. It’s strapped around my abdomen right now, as I type.
I can’t decide if this thing is a blessing or a curse. It’s definitely nice on the lower back. But the baby feels like she’s waging a battle against the belt. She seems determined to retain her cushy position on my bladder and bowels. And now, in addition to the pressure she’s putting on my insides, I’ve got pressure from the belt. Who will win this epic battle?
Come on, kid. May I point out that my yoga instructor now knows the ins and outs of the pain you’re putting me through? I have hung upside down in yoga class four times now. Did you hear me? UPSIDE DOWN, FOUR TIMES. All in an effort to send you up into my lung cavity. Listen, I would gladly give up some of my breathing capacity if you would stop using my lower intestines as a punching bag. Your brother never hung out so low. Not even at the end. (No wonder I had to be induced into labor.)
In other news, why is the woman in that Mom-Ez photo standing like that? It’s like she’s trying to cover up the “girls.” Hey lady, relax. You’re wearing a leotard. Not the most flattering look while pregnant, but a leotard nonetheless.
Comments (4)
My second pregnancy was like that too! I walked around holding up the bottom of my belly because I was so sure the kid was going to fall right out, and I ended up at the hospital in tears one day because I was so sure something was wrong. (It wasn’t; the nurse thought I was a nutcase.) Best of luck being as comfortable as possible!
Ah…round ligament pain. My nemesis. Hang in there…or should I say hang on tight and keep wearing that belt. You’ll be glad you did in the end, though I know what you mean about that battle against the pressure. I can actually remember that feeling so vividly at this moment.
I remember that pain well. My girls were both low riders, too, and I often felt like they were going to break my pelvic bone. Like Tami, I often waddled around holding my belly up. Sitting on a giant yoga ball or one of those desk balls really helped. And what the Sam Hill is that lady in the photo doing wearing a leotard? Not practical for quick access to the toilet pregnancy necessitates.
This post made me laugh out loud! Ugh…those belts. They are a blessing and a curse. All I can say is the only thing that REALLY helped me was laying on my left side and watching Oprah.
I love the lady in the leotard!