I suppose I would call the gestational diabetes a bigger “problem.” But for the most part, my pregnancy experience has been characterized much more by an ever-growing number of minor inconveniences.
For example, I itch.
It’s from PUPPPs which is not a problem or dangerous (one website specifically noted that its mortality rates were zero 
), just really annoying. My rash seems to have jumped from the belly to my ankle, knee and wrist, too. But only on my right side. So now I’m swelling on the left and itching on the right (and doing both right in the middle!). And, come to think of it, I guess that means I can blame Little Miss for the swelling and Little Man for the itching. I’ll have to write that in their baby books! 
As for treating the itch, the best solution is NOT TOUCHING. It’s the kind of itch that only gets worse with scratching, instead of better. It’s hard to retrain yourself not to touch your own belly in certain spots. And I spend a lot of time with my belly hanging out, just so my shirt doesn’t cause more itching! (No there will not be pics 
) Not that this strategy always works, mind you, because I keep bumping into things with the belly…right where the rash is. Voila! More itching!
Which leads to a second minor inconvenience…the distance I must stand/sit away from things.
Now keep in mind that I’m five feet tall and have short arms. With the belly getting bigger all the time, doing very normal things requires feats of acrobatic daring or contortionist-level skill.
- Washing my hands. (We so need to invest in those movable sink faucets!)
- Brushing my teeth (trying to spit accurately into the sink from this distance can be quite amusing)!
- Hugging Eric.
- Putting away dishes on the second shelf of the cupboards (and forget the third shelf entirely!).
- Cooking. Last night, both hot water and hot oil splattered the belly a bit while I was making dinner. Ouch!
- And eating. I cannot avoid spilling my food down the front of myself. And (ask my family) my ability to drop food onto my shirts was already legendary before there was a belly. Now it’s just plain ridiculous!
There are other inconveniences, of course. The swelling. The difficulty getting up from a chair (or out of my car). The carpal tunnel in my hands. The aerobic activity that walking up stairs has become.
But, then again, in just over 30 days (at the latest), there will be babies, and (as I’ve been told) they make it all worth it. We can’t wait!
But I also hear that the babies’ arrival coincides with whatever lovely hormone helps women forget how much of a pain pregnancy can be. Ahhh…hormonal memory blocks…I look forward to your arrival…even so, come quickly…
(DISCLAIMER: The preceding was intended to be humorous. Hopefully, it didn’t sound too whiny! )
Oh yes, the babies are definitely worth it!!! I was sick every meal for the last three months with Tina and then had a 24 hour labor that was not very enjoyable. The moment I saw her, all the other stuff was a faint memory!
@Nixter77 – Eric still thinks I should let him rig up his unicycle to help support my belly. He’s not funny either….
SP suggested I tie a sponge to my belly so I can clean the bath and the cars.
He better have been joking
so funny, Shannah. Those little ones will be here before you know it! Trust me: despite those annoyance…they’re a lot easier to take care of while they’re on the inside. hahaha
May God grant you grace and peace and rest in these final days!
@shannahhogue – They were born at 35 weeks, 5 days. I had to stop driving in the 31 week range, I think. Man, could that have been almost 7 years ago????
@ch1pch0p – LOL.
And I’m with @Airdee26 – Having one 26-week baby in my belly, I simply can’t imagine having TWO 33-week babies in there. You’re a trooper!! Given that you’ll probably forget all this with the hormonal memory block, it’s a good thing you’re blogging about it, so you can look back on it *fondly* someday.
awe…love the humor. I can’t imagine having a belly with two babies in it!
Yes, the babies do cause memory blocks. They made me forget about all my problems in my first pregnancy so quickly that I went and asked for more fertility meds to get pregnant with my second only 6 months later…only to have the same problems with that one too. Crazy! Won’t be doing that one again for a few more years 🙂
Every time I see PUPPS, I think you’re getting twin dogs.
Do you shake your leg when you scratch your belly?
This was truly funny! I hope you continue to look at your “situation” in this manner for the rest of your pregnancy! I think you’ll just keep “growing” for a little while longer!!
@shannahhogue – Just look at it as making mealtime more convenient.
@filledeparis – Is that the slightly grown-up version of a bib?
@bethelaine – Oh, and for most women, itching isn’t a side effect of pregnancy (lucky them!). So don’t worry! Sadly, most of the topical stuff I’ve tried isn’t really working much (though they worked great for my sister). Hopefully, I’ll come up with something that works miraculously very soon!
@bethelaine – I could SO be that woman right now!!
@gsowell – Thankfully, I can still drive. Not sure how much longer that will last though…the seat is as far back as possible! How far along were you when you couldn’t drive anymore? (and how far when they were born? You told me once, but I’ve forgotten…)
have you found any lotions or cocoa butter or oils that help with the itching? i seriously had no idea that itching was a side effect of pregnancy!
do you remember that laundry detergent commercial (i think it was Tide) from a year or so ago which featured a pregnant woman who had to wear / wash the same shirt every day because it was the only shirt that still fit her and she spilled stuff on her belly at every meal? that’s how i’m picturing you.
Can you still drive? I got so big that I couldn’t reach the pedals with my seat scooted back as far as I needed it to be to accommodate those babies. Thus ended my pregnant driving.
Oh Shannah, hope you don’t have much longer! Prayed that your itching
will subside soon. You could always put a hand towel on your tummy
while eating.