The third trimester has hit me like a ton of bricks. All the extra energy that I gained during my second trimester has depleted, and everyday tasks feel almost impossible to complete. I officially finished all of my face-to-face work commitments at 32 1/2 weeks, and I seriously do not know if I could have continued any longer. Knowing me, though, I would have pushed through whatever was necessary if required, which I am not so sure is a good attribute when you’re heavily pregnant with twins. I remember, at the 30-week mark, I took my two dogs Shanti and Shiva for their morning walk, and my little (now big) body, said “enough”. I only managed to waddle one-third of the way around the park before collapsing on the couch for the rest of the day. At 33 weeks, both of my babies were over 4 pounds each, and smack-bang at average size for a singleton for their gestation. I think, because I have two placentas and have been consuming mountains of, that they are getting all the nutrients and goodness that they need.
I’ve been very lucky, as I haven’t developed any stretch marks on my belly, which I think is a combination of both genetics and my daily application of pure rosehip oil on the necessary areas. I have gained more than 50% of my original body weight and my pubic bone has started to give me some grief. This initially happened when I unexpectedly had to cover a dynamic Vinyasa Yoga class on my last week of work and I was more focused on my students than I was on myself. However, since being able to put my feet up and simply roll between the bed and the couch, the pain has gone away. My back has been great and I haven’t had any issues in that department, which has also been very lucky and might have something to do with my many years of teaching and practicing Pilates.
This trimester, I booked myself in for an amazing home consultation with Rebecca Lackie from Gold Coast Physio for Women. She specializes in pregnancy and postnatal pain, incontinence, prolapse and pelvic floor concerns, as well as lymphedema and returning to exercise after childbirth. I have always wanted to have a consult with a specialized physiotherapist that can accurately test the strength and activation of my pelvic floor, and now seemed like a great excuse to finally indulge. Rebecca came over to my house with her cool little ultrasound device and I had my bladder full of water ready to go. We literally watched my pelvic floor activate, lifting my bladder on command, which I thought that was pretty cool! I obviously have an unusual interest in these types of things There is also an internal test, which we are going to do after the twins are delivered, as, even though I’m having a cesarean (both of my babies are breached and in a dangerous position for natural birth), my pelvic floor can still be damaged in the final stages of pregnancy. The great news is, that my pelvic floor is still strong and without issues, however, my linear alba the fibrous structure, that runs down the midline of your abdominals, has split 4 finger-widths apart. This is to be expected considering how big my babies are and how small I was to start with. Rebecca said that, from her ten years experience working in women’s’ health, she has noticed that the women who have the strongest abdominals tend to split the most, but return the fastest. So, in other words, there is no need to worry, and she is confident that I’ll get my abs back. It was great connecting with Rebecca, as not only did she have lots of great information on women’s health, she also has twins herself and had lots of great advice for me in that department.
Towards the end of your third trimester, mine being only 37 weeks, you obviously need to pack your nappy bag and hospital bag so that you are ready to go when either your waters break or you have your first contraction. Most twins decide that they want to be born at around 35 weeks, and therefore I was ready to be rushed to the hospital from that point. However, my little babies are both breached, and therefore not putting any pressure on my pelvis that would encourage an early delivery. Thus, I am scheduled for a c-section, and lucky enough to have one of my longest and best friends, Bridget, as the assistant surgeon. My obstetrician, Tina Fleming, actually had the idea, as she has worked with Bridget in the past, and suggested having Bridget there. Without any hesitation, I agreed. It will be a blessing to share this experience with her, and to have her support during the birth.
Speaking of support, I had to buy myself some new maternity underwear this trimester, as my undies were digging into the front of my tummy. The funniest thing was going to Big W and upgrading from a size 8 undies to a size 18! They had sold out of all the other sizes in maternity wear, but my main priority was comfort and they tick that box. The only problem was, that after a couple of washes, they didn’t fit me very well anymore. The next solution was to venture to Harbor Town outlet stores, after my consultation with Tina from Grace Obstetrics at Gold Coast Private Hospital, and buy myself some more fitting night wear and underwear to wear in the hospital during my stay (as what I had been wearing at home certainly wasn’t fit for public view)!
With everything ready to go for the big arrival, this will be my last blog post until the babies are earth bound, which is expected to be Monday June 13th (can you believe it Gemini Twins!!!). If pregnancy has taught me anything, it is how to truly ‘surrender’ and, it has made me realize that I am not 100% in control, as I had previously thought I was. I’ve really had to learn to work with the unexpected, and be prepared for the worst, yet hope for the best, at all times. Running a business, these teachings come up all the time and I am pretty good at managing all sorts of intense situations work-wise, but never has my health been out of my control. This has been a huge awakening experience for me. My pregnancy has been far from a smooth sailing experience, having had three traumatic hospital experiences, forcing me to be on anti-vomit medication the entire pregnancy and with 1/3 of my face breaking out in a painful rash, which in the end had to be medicated after trying every holistic alternative option available. I have developed a richer level of self-awareness through my morning meditations and daily contemplations, whilst processing all these changes that are out of my control. I have peeled away layers of vanity, ego and attachment, cultivating a less attached, deeper and wiser person from this journey. Like my beloved friend Fred DeVito would say “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.’
Thank you for all the lessons, learning’s and letting goes pregnancy; I’ll see you in motherhood.