It’s happened…I’ve hit the “wall”. I thought I could push through it. I thought it would subside. I even thought maybe it wouldn’t happen to me. But, it did. With one month to go, I can honestly say I’ve hit that point in prengnacy where you wonder how in the world you are going to make it to your due date.
I remember reading where another mommy said 35 weeks was her hardest week mentally because she always thinks, “I can’t do 5 more weeks of this.” Well, when I hit week 35 and still felt as though I could stay pregnant forever, I thought (rather haughtily, I might add) that I was quite possibly going to escape from the end-of-pregnancy-blahs. Pride cometh before a fall…
So here I sit…and sit…and sit…because to be quite honest, getting up really does not appeal to me at this point! I tell myself a million times a day a quote from my dh’s friend Dan, “I was having a bad day…until I lowered my expectations.” Yet, this little condemning voice inside my head says, “It’s the holidays! You have too much to prepare to just sit there!”…”Don’t you know your house is a mess? Wouldn’t be surprised if you find a mouse in that kitchen nibbling away at all the crumbs!”…”When was the last time you changed the 2 year old’s shirt? You mean he slept in it? Two nights in a row???”
Yes, it is the holidays. And I will push through the best I can, but I really feel as though I need a plan…a way to make this house behave, a way to make the children behave, a way to make things run as smoothly as possible this last month. I’m just not sure how. You see, I’ve gone from a Snail’s Pace to a If-I-Take-One-More-Step-This-Baby-Will-Fall-Out-Or-I’ll-Fall-Down Pace.
One more month, huh? Will the holidays be ruined if I celebrate from the couch? Can a house really implode in a mere month? If I don’t change the toddler’s shirt for 2 days will it really pose a health risk?
If only I weren’t such a visual person who needs a clutter-free environment to truly feel peaceful. *sigh* I guess all I can do is lower my expectations, try to enjoy the 4 weeks I have left, and keep pushing on the wall little by little until this precious little one is in my arms!
And please, feel free to leave all your best end-of-pregnancy tips in the comments box!
Brandi says
((hugs)) Amy, this too shall pass-all too quickly [looking back], although I know that right now it feels like an eternity. It is alright to take it easy. No one will remeber 10 years from now if your house wasn’t spotless, of if the toddler wasn’t wearing a clean/fresh shirt.I do understand how you feel. Wish I were closer, I’d come over to doula you through the holiday! 🙂
mommyx12 says
My 12th baby will be 3 Dec. 15th. Been there where I was up against the wall. And that little one of mine was due on Nov. 30. 15 days over. This too shall pass and before you know that little one WILL be snuggled in your arms. And you may be spending the holidays on the couch but you are home with your little ones and they don’t mind mama sitting around. Because you are there. And that’s what counts. Oh, did you ask your 2 year old if he minds sleeping in his shirt. Chances are he’ll look at you cross-eyed and let you know how it doesn’t even matter. I pray you will be blessed to have comfort and joy. Happy Thanksgiving
Beth says
I feel your pain. My third baby was a Christmas baby… she will be 2 on Dec. 19. I believe that year, I did well to just get a Christmas tree up. I left many decorations boxed. Oh, but what a sweet Christmas having a newborn to cuddle! It made for a very cozy, memorable holiday. Maybe the season will be a good distraction from your discomfort? Christmas carols, yummy aromas, and pretty lights… and if all else fails, think about Mary traveling 9 months pregnant only to give birth in a stable. 🙂Happy Thanksgiving! And may your aches be minimal and your joy be abundant!
Mrs. and Mama K says
Have you been doing the exercise where you get on all fours and pivot your hips? It helps get the baby off your bladder and is great before bed time. *;o)
Sandy says
For Heaven’s sake woman! Eat some chocolate and relax! That’s my end of pregnancy tip. Yeah. Of course, at the end of my last pregnancy, we moved 300o miles when I was 37 weeks, and our things didn’t arrive until the baby was 2 weeks old (gotta love military moves…) Chocolate was the only thing that kept me sane while at the laundromat with 3 small children in august for the 3 time in a week…Chocolate makes it all better…yeah…
Lynnette Kraft says
Hang in there, your day is coming! 🙂 I have tons of sympathy for you – the end of my last pregnancy was downright painful and I couldn’t wait to have Harrison OUT of my belly!I’m so excited to meet your little guy and I’m getting anxious too, but not in the same way I know. ha!Love ya.
Fruitful Harvest says
Hi there Amy~I finally got myself in gear and posted my “Leaving Old Baggage Behind”. I hope you can find the time to come over ant read it? There are some helpful tips out lined from the Birthing From With in book.Hang in there girl…..you are almost to the finish line! Make sure to move around every few hours though…as painful as it might be. I almost dyed from a pulmonary embolim after my 5th baby. They think the clot formed in my leg due to inactivity…then broke loose after the birth. It almost killed me.On to a more positive note you are almost done..except help from friends….write down what you need done. That way if a person calls to say how can I help? you are not tempted to say “Nothing”. I’m good.Hire a highschool girl from church?To do housework or to play with the kiddos while you nap.Sit in chairs that are higher up or sit on a stack of pillows…it makes getting up not so painful.Peace in Christ,Georgiann
Sarah says
Oh no, so you’re telling me it gets harder than this?! I was thinking….wow…things are getting so hard for me and I’m only 29 weeks. I hope this last 4 weeks goes quickly for you. It really is OK to let things go….it won’t stay like that forever!
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Sandy,I’m lol…chocolate has been the order of the day around here!
Anonymous says
As I sit here nursing my 2 1/2 week old, I too remember those last few weeks. I changed from not wanting to be induced to asking for induction. Just remember this too shall past and it’s all worth it!!!!!!!!!!Belinda aka luvs2bemom
Sandy says
that’s 3000 miles..not 300 with a o. Dude. I am dumb today LOL
guinever says
Reading birth stories at the end of my pregnancies has helped me in the past to get in the right mindset for birth…I’ve linked to my grieving blog before and my homeschool one, but did you know that I have a birthing one as well? I’m a birth doula and childbirth educator. I have a great video on my blog of a woman singing Psalm 23 during her labor. She is amazing! And I especially like the advice that Sandy left to eat chocolate and relax!~~many blessings to you and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Soon you will have that new babe in your arms.
deleted blog says
So sorry the end has been difficult for you. The end with my twins was the most tiring & achey I’ve had; tough to sleep too. I was really blessed going it alone the Lord provided me the strength to get what needed to get done, done. Everything else just had to wait (& some things are still waiting!).I sent a link to your blog to a hs’ing mom looking for help for a mom she knows who is grieving the recent loss of her baby, at 7m preg. They were looking for help in helping her, & perhaps the Molly Piper series you have up will bless them. Thank you for having that here.Praying for you!
Daisyblend says
Ha! This is funny. This is my first visit to your blog and I’m 35.5 weeks pregnant with #6. I’m getting huge, feel like a beached whale most of the time, but I was doing really good mentally, looking forward to holding that baby in my arms instead of focusing on the birth itself… Then I picked up my midwife book (Heart & Hands) yesterday and began to really prepare. Oh yeah… now I remember! Pain hurts! Birthing a baby is hard work! I put the book down, nearly in tears with fear, thinking, “There has got to be another way out of this.” (sigh) But I sure do love that very moment when the baby’s born and wouldn’t trade it for the world. (FYI, my births have all been non-medicated, 4 at home and 4 really intense and fast.) So, our walls may be different colors, but I understand. Won’t it be great to be looking back on the birth instead of forward? In Christ we can do this thing!~K~homesteadblogger.com/awaitinghiskingdom
Kristy says
The only thing I would remind myself at the end of my pregnancy’s to help me through it was all the more work there would be if the baby was already there. Of course we all want to see our babies, and have the birth behind us though! The other thing I always thought of was how much I really would miss having them inside of me.
Anonymous says
I think if I were you (I say, “I think” because I’m of course not), but I would have the older children do as much as possible, reminding them that it’s not forever, and how much you appreciate them. They can certainly find a clean shirt and put it on the two-year-old, if nothing else. And it sounds like your older two are level-headed enough to handle it all. It will also warm them up to help once the baby is born. Also, it’s amazing to me how fast the youngest ones transform into big boys and big girls as soon as they’re not the baby anymore and they have important jobs to do. Take it easy. I’ll pray you can constantly rest in Him.