I think I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’m at the point where my pregnancy-related ligament pain has made it virtually impossible to run, do anything that involves shifting all of my weight onto one leg, walk too much, stand for too long, or lift more than about five pounds. Basically, I’ve become a sedentary lump. I’ve had injury-related restrictions in the past (patellar tendinitis! plantar fasciitis!), but this is pretty much the most extreme case yet. And I’m not particularly good at sitting still.
The good news? This morning, I had my first appointment with a physical therapist and she seems fairly confident that she’ll be able to help me manage the pain. And she’s got some exercises that she can give me that will help me to stay active without making me want to cry and curl up in bed with a heating pad. We’re also going to do some upper body work that’s targeted at hauling around a baby without throwing out my back. At first, I was slightly offended at the implication that I would need help with carrying a baby. I mean, I can dead-lift about a hundred pounds! But then I remembered that I haven’t been to the gym in something like a month and I still have another four months to go. And then baby-targeted upper body exercises started to look like a much better idea.
The PT was very careful to clearly state that I will not be running again during my pregnancy. Which I pretty much expected. But I’m glad that I’ll have some more options for ways to stay active. We didn’t get to any of the actual exercises today, but just having a plan in place made me feel about a bazillion times better. I have appointments to see her twice a week for the next month and then we’re going to reassess. Fingers crossed!
On a slightly related note, here’s the latest belly pic. As you can see, this past week was a big one for belly growth:
I’ve got about 17 weeks to go. Time sure is flying on by!
Try and see if they run aqua-aerobics sessions tailored for pregnancy near you (remember to mention the ligament trouble if you give it a go so the person running the class can tell you which exercises to skip). It’s not for everybody but I found there was something really pleasant about being in the water and there’s comfort in being surrounded with other bumps. Even more fun was seeing the same mums later at the postnatal sessions (much more vigorous).
Second the vote for aqua exercise! If you can find a deep water cardio class you won’t be bouncing your feet on the bottom of the pool at all!
Hope, you get ever more adorable with each picture!
You are so cute. I’m glad you found a PT to help you. PT’s are a lifesaver. If only insurance paid for them 100% of the time, just because. Fingers crossed your pain lessens! I have no doubt her stretches and exercises will be helpful.
PS — Love the belly! You are one happy mama.
AH! Soooo cute!!!
What a fantastic idea, thank you! I got the go-ahead from the PT to try aqua aerobics, so I think I’m going to sign up for a Y membership this weekend. At the very least, doggie paddling in the lap pool will probably feel AWESOME.
Thanks! 🙂
I have a $30 copay, which could be worse… but at 2x a week is really adding up. Definitely worth it, but you’d think that they’d WANT to pay for me to stay more active. I’m so much less likely to have a complicated (read: expensive) birth if I stay healthy and fit.
Thanks! Right back atcha!