Normal Third Pregnancy?

Don't worry but DO take care of yourself. I had much more Braxton-Hicks with my second and after one of my major worries got taken care of (my husband got a job and the accompanying health insurance), they eased off almost entirely. I totally think my anxiety about him getting laid off and not being covered had a whole lot to do with the Braxton-Hicks. You have a hard job esp. for a pregnant woman, caring for the little ones and standing as a cashier are both extremely physically demanding. You need to ask for help. Ask your manager if there is some position a little less on your feet at Wal-Mart you could try a while, or if they could allow you a sitting stool for the rest of your pregnancy. Standing is impacting the health of your pregnancy.

Network with some other moms, friends or family to try and block out some rest time or no-kid time every few days (or every day!). If you go to church or have another community group tie-in, now is the time to plead "Overwhelmed" and let your needs be known. Many people get a lot of joy out of knowing that they could really help out in a tough time for someone. Don't think of it as being weak, think of it as being in a web of love and support. That web is one that you probably participate in quite a bit to the benefit of others. Take your turn in receiving, treat yourself right.

3rd was my hardest pg. No more after that! I also had perineal pain which was so bad, every time I took a step. You're not crazy, but if you get pg again, you are!

Kristen
I have 3 children myself. Let me tell you I don't know how "normal" what your feeling is, but I had the same things happen to me. I had had 2 very easy pregnancies and births and I was the same age you are when I had my 3rd little girl. She is just as healthy and happy as her sisters. I think the hardest part for me was the "off" feeling. It is so hard to describe something that even you can't put a finger on. Just know that you are not alone in this. Unless you feel certain that something has changed and gone from off to wrong, I wouldn't worry about it. Hope that helps.

Congrats! You know that baby will be here before you know it. During my second pregnancy I experienced a ton of braxton hicks contractions, back aches and more exhaustion. My OB told me that is perfectly normal... not comfortable, but normal. He said that 2nd & more pregnancies are more difficult because the body has already be losened before w/ hormones and previous stress. This is also the reason why delievery will be easier. Hang in there!!

I'm currently 39 weeks pregnant with my third too, actually having her on Friday, and I've had the same things happen to me. I started having braxton-hicks a lot earlier (around 15 weeks) and started having real contractions around 34 weeks and was already starting to dilate. I was told to take it easy, at least as much as possible with 2 other kids at home and working full-time. I was 3 cm by 36 weeks, but I'm still here waiting (hoping!) for her to make her appearance. I just found out this morning that I'm over 4 cm and although I have contractions all day long every day, it's not active labor so I still have to wait until Friday unless she decides to come out sooner on her own. I've had many of the off days too. I have no idea what it is, but luckily my husband is there to pick up my slack so I can rest. Good luck and just know that you are not alone!

Hi Kristen ~ I am a 39yr old 3rd time mom & I had my last one in Dec'08 (after turning 39). It was the best pregnancy for me (although my first two were just fine; healthy,smart,thriving kids). My (almost 8 month old) son is very healthy, smart, very aware & wise. I hardly gained any weight, worked full-time (sitting) & was on the go with my 9 yr old son plus all the other motherly, wifey things. Just try to relax as much as possible (do breathing exercises & sit down when something in your heart/spirit tells you to just sit down - don't 2nd guess yourself). Think happy, positive thoughts at all times & October will be here before you know it. By standing at work, you may want to take off approximately 1 month early; just to relax your body. Remember our bodies changes as we get older. If you can, wear some supportive maternity pantyhose. This may also help to stop the BH contractions which are probably due to the standing on your job.

Take care & God Bless you & your family!

My third came at 37 weeks. A little early. Just keep going to the doctor and have them check for a heart beat. If you feel something aint right request that you be seen that day. Good luck. Babies are a true blessing.

This is your third pregnancy and your uterus has been stretched and you work on your feet at Walmart. Those floors aren't good for working on. Make sure that you drink @ least 8 glasses of water and are able to go to the rest room when needed. If these symptoms persist tell your health care provider. That is what they are there for. Go to March of dimes website and look up preterm labor symptoms just to be on the safe side. Stress can cause contractions, dehydration can cause contraction also. Good Luck, boy or girl?
J.

Try to make sure you're eating, drinking (WATER, not booze! LOL), and resting well (enough of the right things and at the right times) as much as is possible. Just a simple extra bottle/glass of water and a fresh fruit a day can someimes make a difference in how you feel. You may want to eat fresh fruit as a snack as someone who's very 'into' healthy eating sent me an email recently that said you should eat fruit -- fresh, as much as possible -- on an empty stomach as it helps with digestion, vitamin absorption, etc.

Also, the more you're doing in life, the easier it is to neglect yourself, so make sure you 'look out for #1'!

Hope this helps a little. If there's really something 'wrong' with you, hopefully it'll present itself a little more clearly so that you (and Dr.) can detect, diagnose, and remedy it!

God bless!

I'm due at the end of oct. With #2. I've had similar problems to you. I am a bit anemic this time around so I take supplements and try to eat an iron rich diet. I can tell a big difference if I don't because I can't keep up very well. I thought might be from weight gain, but my dr. said it's more likely from keeping up with my other child. As far as the Braxton hicks, I'm not sure what is normal. I can say I've noticed them more too. I ask your dr about it just in case.

Hi! I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents :) I had #3 about 2 years ago. I had a harder time with that pregnancy..gestational diabetes, anemia, and pre-term labor. I don't want to scare you here, but I thought mine were just really strong braxton hicks contractions, also but when I went to the doc they determined that I was having actual contractions. I had to cut back and work and stay off of my feet more but I did just fine...as a matter of fact she came 1 day ahead of her due date!! So, we made it to term. On the plus side....it was the best labor and delivery I had. It was a breeze. I guess by #3 your body kind of knows what to do. Good luck!

Hi K.,

Congrats on the upcoming event! In the meantime, try to get more rest. I had preterm labor with my first and I had no idea how bad I felt until I had to go to bed full-time at 24 weeks. It's amazing how we women can just keep going until we just can't anymore. So do yourself the favor of slowing down. It will help with all your symptoms.

Also, please remember to drink 64 ounces of water a day, spaced out all day long, and void your bladder often. When you feel that you have to go, don't hold it. The uterus is a smooth muscle tissue, and if it becomes dehydrated, it will shrink, and that causes contractions. When the bladder gets full, it pushes against the uterus, and causes it to contract. This is an easy way to help prevent preterm labor.

Good luck - 37 weeks is what you are aiming for, though closer to 40 would be better.

All my best,
D.

Hi K. if your insurance allows it have an internal ultrasound done it check to make sure your not funneling or anything else I'm not trying to alarm you just as an extra procaution. Pregnancy changes as we get older so please let your doctor know what you are feeling.

They say every pregnancy is different. I just had my third 7 weeks ago. A friend of mine said that by her third, it felt like everything was going to "fall out". I didn't quite feel like that, but certainly felt very pregnant. I never feel quite right being pregnant, though. I would say, spend as much time as you can (like that's going to be easy with two small ones) on your feet and taking it easy. Perhaps the difference is that you have two mobile little ones that are keeping you busier. Are the prenatal vitamins good ones that have iodine and copper in them? My ND (naturopathic physician) advised me to be sure and take good ones that have those two nutrients. Sure enough, the generic ones I had gotten from Sams club years ago did not. The iodine definitely helps me to have more energy (I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis).

Also, I felt not quite right when pregnant with my first one at just about 33 weeks. I was completely exhausted - even my supervisor and her supervisor at work noticed and were both asking when I was going to take my maternity leave (I guess I looked that bad). Turns out I went into labor the next day and had him the following day. So, do listen to your body. I didn't know anything about labor with that one, so it took all day to figure out that I was in labor.