25 Weeks Pregnant Chalkboard + Pelvic Pressure During Pregnancy
By Kate Horney
How far along? 25 Weeks, 5 Days
Maternity clothes? I’m a huge fan of making what I already have in my closet work. Lots of great options when it’s summer- rompers, maxi skirts, summer dresses and of course the usual workout gear of yoga pants and a tank. So far, no wardrobe issues.
Best moment this week: We had the BEST time on our family vacation this week! It was so much fun to spend some quality time with Jackson (and crazy to think that before too long, we’ll be a family of FOUR!) Also on this week’s highlights, I’m pretty sure we’ve decided on a name…. We’ve got to sit on it for a few weeks just to make sure, but it’s fun calling baby H #2 by his NAME rather than just “him” or “little brother.”
Miss Anything? I’m starting to notice some more pelvic pressure, and it seems to be worse after single leg exercises (ie: split squats, single leg deadlifts, etc) so while it’s nothing awful yet, I am starting to miss the full range of motion that comes from NOT having a bunch of extra pressure pressing down on that pelvis.
Movement: Lots of kicks and punches. I love feeling the big movements and letting Patrick and Jackson feel my belly move as well.
Food cravings: When it comes to berries, I just can’t get enough! We also enjoyed lots of good food on a family getaway this weekend, and it was fun to switch up the usuals for some great crab and fresh seafood. (Yes, yes, I know about to watch the mercury content).
Looking forward to: I can’t believe that we’ll get to hold this little boy in less than 100 days. WOW. Trying to enjoy every moment & just soak it all in…. I am so grateful for the little family the Lord has blessed me with. I love them so much.
Biggest struggle this week: Pelvic Pressure!
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) is fairly common during pregnancy. If you’re feeling pain in the pelvic area, you may be experiencing SPD, caused by relaxed and stretchy ligaments that normally keep your pelvic joint (the symphysis pubis) aligned.
Your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens your ligaments in order to help your baby pass through your pelvis. (YAY!) SPD is thought to be caused by a combination of these hormones as well as the way your body moves.
If one side of your pelvis moves more than the other when you walk or move around, the area around the symphysis pubis becomes tender. (Hence why I notice this more after single leg exercises).
Solution: The main solution for pelvic pain during pregnancy is to stay on top of your Kegel exercises and pelvic tilts, which will strengthen the muscles in that region, and if pain is severe, ask your practitioner for a referral to a physical therapist.
Here are some things that I focus on…
3 Tips to reduce Pelvic Pain during Pregnancy:
1. Strengthen the core + pelvic muscles. Exercises, especially focused on your core and pelvic floor muscles. These will improve the stability of your Do pelvic floor and tummy exercises. For example, get down onto your hands and knees and level your back so that it is roughly flat. Breathe in and then as you breathe out, squeeze in your pelvic floor muscles and pull your belly button in and up. Hold this contraction for between five and 10 seconds, breathing through it. Relax your muscles slowly at the end of the exercise.
2. Keep your legs together. It sounds silly, but if your experiencing pelvic pain during pregnancy, try not to move your legs apart when your back is slumped or when you are lying down. If you are lying down, pull your knees up as far as you can to stop your pelvis from moving and make it easier to part your legs. If you are sitting, try arching your back and sticking your chest out before parting or moving your legs.
3. Use wisdom & rest when you need to. Don’t push through your pain. If something hurts, stop doing it. If the pain is allowed to flare up, it can take a long time to settle down again.
[hr] P.S. Are you a fellow pregnant mama?
Healthy babies come from healthy moms!
Your baby is a REASON to make a healthy choices priority… not an excuse for why you can’t!
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