All things considered, my pregnancy has been smooth ridin' so far. Sure, there was some nausea, food aversions and headaches... but can I really complain? Not until last week. Cause unknown, I found myself with the worst neck pain I have ever experienced. It started out as my regular back pain that I've been living with for the past month or so - but somehow it moved its way up to my neck and out through my shoulders. By Thursday I was barely able to swallow. The pain was so intense, I left work at 11 that day and spent the entire afternoon on the phone with the physical therapy offices my OB referred me to. I knew I needed to get in to see someone right away but of course they were all booked until the following Tuesday (causing "mini" tantrums on my part for Michael to enjoy). Finally, one was able to fit me in on Friday at 9:15AM. After a miserable night sleep that I gave up on at 3:30 in the morning, I was in even more pain and unable to eat because swallowing water alone made me want to cry. Michael came with me to my appointment and got to witness me bawl in reaction to the PT's examination. She determined that I had a bulging disc in the base of my neck that was pushing forward into my throat. She was concerned about how quickly this happened and wanted me to have a MRI and start taking muscle relaxers immediately. Then the conversation basically went as follows: Oh yeah, you're pregnant... so instead, wear this neck brace and use this TENS unit (that will shoot electrical pulses into your neck) and here's a towel tied to a rope that I want you to secure to a door nob and hang your head in for five minutes at a time. Oh, and go ahead and take the occasional small dose of that super effective Tylenol for your pain!
I listened to doctors orders and barely moved the entire weekend. By Sunday I was eating solids again and today I'm back to enjoying only the preexisting back pain that I now have a fond appreciation for (it just seems so polite and mild by comparison). I have a follow up appointment with the PT tomorrow where I intend to give back the neck brace, tens unit and towel noose. I'll ask her for advice on how I should attempt to prevent a recurrence too. I'm not even 1/2 way through my pregnancy... I sooooo don't need a recurrence!
In spite of this experience, I still don't like to complain because I know how fortunate I am to be pregnant. And even though it seems unnecessary for my face to share some of the pregnancy weight I'm gaining, I have a new appreciation for my body that I never could have imagined before. It's truly amazing.
Especially now that baby does the boogie!!
Here I am at 18 weeks:
10 comments:
I'm so glad you're feeling better! I was so worried about you. What a terrible thing to happen while pregnant! Those are times when muscle relaxants are a MUST! I love that she made you hang yourself on a doorknob, of all places, with a "towel noose"!
You look super cute with your baby belly! I have absolutely no suggestions. I wore Target pants, and only had three pair that I alternated with skirts.
hehe... isn't it great being in between clothes, too big for your regular clothes and too smallfor the 6-9 month maternity clothes that you will eventually be filling out. My only suggestion would be the gap (kinda spendy), and or buying a pair or 2 of pants in a larger size, it will buy you a little time at least... I keep thinking too bad we aren't the same size because I could totally give you clothes...
Anyway I am glad you are feeling so much better... now we will have to get together - I will see if pompa will take Luke again and the 4 or 6 or 8 of us could go out :) before baby R arrives.
Oh yeah, about the pants - buying a larger pair isn't such a bad idea because it will, most likely, take you some time to get back to your original size after baby T comes.
I have bought a larger size in casual pants - and you're right, it works great. The problem is, "business clothes" don't seem to work the same (at least not on me). If I buy larger slacks, they're super baggy in the butt and legs. Not very perfessional looking! Grrrr...
I'm really tired of the clothes routine. Despite how great belly bands are, I'm looking forward to not seeing one again for a very long time!
I passed my glucose screening yesterday. No baby diabetes. To celebrate I ordered a banana milkshake, 2 cookies and I've already had a brownie and cake today. Maybe we should go pants this weekend?
I meant, go pants shopping. But if you wanna just go pants, I'm cool wit dat too:)
Hehe! I thought maybe you meant to say "go pantsless this weekend"! That sounds the best... although, it would be weird if we did it together.
Alyssa and I can try to wear the same pants! Didn't we do that once? I remember there was something with pants...
Hailey, I really want you to name this blog, "Dance, Pants and a Pain in the Ass" because it rhymes so well!
The pants memory is one of my favorites, Sarah! I think we were both trying on Hailey's pants. They were Bongos. They ended up ripped...my fault.
And Haigs, going pantless all weekend together might be a little weird. However, I think what I meant when I said that we should go pants this weekend was to run around pulling other people's pants down. Because that wouldn't be weird at all to do together.
Oh Hailey, you made me laugh out loud. I know how much pain you were in and I am so glad it has receded. Maybe I could come in early on Sunday and we could try to find you some pants. My treat! You also might consider more skirts and dresses. However, you will hate the sight of everything by the time the baby comes. I am sure that belts are already a faint yet fond distant memory. I assure you, you will see your feet again. I can still see mine although I have to bend forward a little.
Post a Comment