talk to me about 34+ weeks

GoMaltby18 · February 2013

Ok, so I am only 26 weeks now, but my mom keeps asking when she should come out for the birth. As of now we are operating with the only date we know (38 weeks) and assuming she should plan for a few days before that. Lately with as miserable as I've been feeling I was wondering if I should plan on having her (or someone else) here a few weeks early just to help me with the boys?

What can I realistically expect to be doing after 32/34 weeks or so (assuming I'm not on bedrest or deliver early or something)? Take DS1 to preschool 3x a week? Grocery shopping? Cooking at all? Or should I just assume that once I reach a certain point everything is going to be too tough to do on my own?

BananaPancake · February 2013

If she can come out a few weeks early, DO have her. 34 weeks was about where things just got downright impossible. My MIL came down at 28 weeks and I really appreciated the entire 3 months she was here. I had no idea the kind of pain I'd be in, and we made several L&D trips that were just so much easier with her in the house. We didn't have to disrupt the other kids, which was great. I think my entire 3rd tri was really difficult compared to my first three pregnancies, and I'm SO glad I took advantage of her very generous offer!

lynn0926 · February 2013

Everything and anything is impossible for me at this point. DH does all the cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. I am good to get a shower in, and if I need to run an errand for like 2 things at Target, I can manage that. Anything other than that, forget it. I would say I really started to feel like this at 31-32 weeks. If I do too much, I have constant contractions, and my body feels like it will break.

tombomb84 · February 2013

It can't hurt to have her come a little early and help. I was very big and uncomfortable at the end (made it to 37 weeks), but I was still able to go to work, go grocery shopping, etc...as long as I had time for a nap! I definitely wouldn't have turned down any help at that point though.

tesselizabeth · February 2013

I can still do most things if I have to, but I have enjoyed and accepted any help offered to me in the last couple weeks. It is very hard for me to bend over, clean things (vacuum, dust transfer laundery), or be on my feet for too long. I can do all of those things but I try not to do them too much (especially if I have someone to help). It has been this way for about a month or so. If someone is offering to help you definitely take it.. you won't be sorry.

zombiemommy · February 2013

I was on "modified bed rest" post 26 weeks which is standard for my doctor. In the last few weeks of my pregnancy I did very very little. I worked from my desk until 35.5 weeks, but after that I really didn't leave the house except to go to the doctor. I'd say driving to preschool would probably be realistic, but I'd take it easy on cooking/shopping. I really tried to stay off my feet as much as possible in the third trimester, and grocery shopping involves a lot of lifting to be doing at 34 weeks.

I say plan for the worst and you'll be happy if it goes better than expected. You just never know with a multiples pregnancy. I spent the whole last trimester thinking it could happen at any moment, and I made it to my 37 week induction.

dgancz · February 2013

I had my twins at 38 weeks and my mom came over when I was 30 weeks, and it was great.I still took my DD to pre-school 4 times a week.But she went grocery shopping and cleaned.I had a few Dr's appointments each week and it helped to know that I had someone to watch my DD and did not have to worry each time.

If you can, try and get the extra help.It will allow yo to rest and be more comfortable.

My DD was a month shy of three when the babies were born.

jcath · February 2013

Everyone is different but I think it's reasonable to plan not to do much after 32 weeks. You will have days you feel better and get stuff done but some days will be really painful. I was never on bedrest and induced at my scheduled 37 weeks but I kind of acted like I was on bedrest. I did work in an office (but sitting at desk) 2 days a week until I delivered but I didn't shop, didn't clean, didn't do anything when I was home.

Best of luck!

GoMaltby18 · February 2013

Thanks, ladies! She can only take so much time off work so I am really hoping not to need her until the babies get here. I may try to convince MH to see if he can take some leave toward the end or maybe do half days or something. And if it gets really rough then I'll throw in the towel and ask her to come early.

Mayan2011 · February 2013

I was placed on progesterone and restrictions due to an irritable uterus around 26 wks, but wasn't put on bedrest. I did all of the things you listed until the day I got the call to go into the hospital to have the babies because of HELLP - 37wk2d.

Ourfamilyof5 · February 2013

I really think this varies from person to person! If you CAN get help, I say DO just because the more rest you can get, the better it is for you and the babies. That being said, my babies were born at 36w4d and I was personally OK all that way up until that point. Sure, I was uncomfortable and wishing for the pregnancy to be over, BUT I still felt pretty functional. I was still grocery shopping at least once a week, still up and down playing with my then 22 month old son (and lifting him as I needed to), still cooking (though the meals were pretty easy) and still going to my weekly scheduled activities. I definitely needed to sit down more often and a nap was always nice when I had the opportunity to take one, but overall, I felt a lot better than I expected to feel by that point.

I do, however, think I felt better than many others do. I had a shower a 32 weeks and felt completely fine...was up mingling almost the entire time and then went to see a movie with a friend a couple of hours later followed by dinner out. I see most everyone on here recommending earlier showers due to feeling so terrible before 32 weeks, but for me, I was fine!

michelleraiche · February 2013

Everyone is different - im 37 weeks now and totally fine doing errands, cleaning and nights out with my SO and friends. There are still plenty of days where i am exhausted and sore but so far no help needed. It really depends - if you start to feel run down then listen to your body and have her come early.

jquirke9881 · February 2013

I was still fully functional, albeit slow until 37.5 weeks. I worked full time and did all of my normal errands. I think I could have gone until the end but I decided to stop working and take a few days to rest before my csection at 38 weeks.

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