“Every Pregnancy is DIFFERENT”

So annoying and cliche' when people had warned me of this but so true. That reality is only now beginning to hit home for me.

My first pregnancy was pretty symptom free. Very little fatigue, no headaches, no Braxton-Hicks or pre-eclampsia, and blah blah blah. I was glowing and felt gorgeous throughout most of the pregnancy. It was like I wasn't even pregnant. This pregnancy started off the same way and, in fact, had been identical up until just a few days ago. Thanks to my vigilance I've even gained weight at a slower rate so, as far as I was concerned, this pregnancy was even better. But these days I feel so tired all the time… like my body's been taken over by an old lady. No energy or stamina whatsoever, aches and pains where there weren't any before. I'm sure having a toddler to keep up with, run after (yes, literally), and carry around when he gets "in that mood," has played a role. But that's not all.

Since Tuesday I've been experiencing extreme pelvic pressure/pain. Everyone assures me this is normal and that for a lot of women it eases after a week or two – I've heard its the pelvic bones spreading as baby's head travels further down in preparation for child birth. I have to tell you though, it's been very painful, especially when I first stand up. It catches you off guard when you try to take a few steps and discover that you're paralyzed with pain. I feel sharp, stabbing pains if I don't give myself a minute before attempting to move – so strong that I sometimes have to hold on to something lest I fall. Then I slowly limp to wherever I need to go, holding on to things.

I hate that people watch me with that sad look on their face like they wish they could help. I just feel so silly! See, I'm a private, stoic kind of lady, believe it or not, and I loathe that kind of attention. I'm the type who won't ever take medication for pain (unless I have to) and who you'll never hear complain of feeling pain/discomfort, because I hate feeling/looking weak, especially when I know I can handle it.

This morning I was feeling particularly helpless and sad that I don't have the energy to run and play with Chase like he deserves. Derek reminded me that I shouldn't feel guilty about that. We're a team, he said, and wherever I'm weak it's his place to fill in and be my strength. That made me feel so good and I was reminded that, according to the Book of Genesis, I'm his rib. Just feel me on this for a moment, please. Have you ever played sports and fractured a rib? The pain is intense and relentless. As my husband's rib, whenever I feel pain – physical or emotional – he feels it that much worst… because I was taken out of his body. He'll thus make it his personal mission to free us of that pain. He took Chase out this morning to visit his grandmother and run some errands, and I had a chance to rest and just take it easy. When they came back Chase took a good nap, and when he woke up I felt a lot better and we ended up walking across the street to the park where a music festival was going on. Today was a much better day for me… and I hope for the remainder of the pregnancy I continue to have days like this.

Anyhoo… I wonder if the fact that the baby is starting to drop means I'm going into labor naturally this time? As ya'all know, Chase went a week past his due date and I had to be induced. I have a feeling, just from the signs my body is giving me now, that things will go differently this time around! This boy seems eager to come out and join his brother! I saw my OB Thursday for a regular check-up and she said things looked fine. Blood pressure was normal. I go back in three weeks and then those (annoying) weekly appointments will begin shortly thereafter.

Enjoy the weekend!!!