Pregnant and Paralyzed: A Restful Race to the Finish
I’ve been paralyzed/dependent on a wheelchair for 17 years. There are still more than a few times my parents or someone close will look at me and say, “…really, Kristin?” when it comes to the way I do things, the things I neglect, or the things I’ve maintained a seemingly unconcerned attitude about. I’ve been paralyzed and have had unique needs for a long time, but I still come to some things like a rookie.
Now that I’m pregnant, though, the stakes are higher; how I take care of myself is reflected in the health of my soon-to-be-son, so I’ve been better about it. I promise I have. I'll admit that the learning curve was a bit longer than it should have been, but we got there. I’m days away from having my baby and he’s still kickin’, so my stubbornness did wear off. It just took a few trimesters to get there.
The first thing is drinking enough water. Has there ever been a time “drink more water” isn’t on the top of the list? Nope, not for me. This is a familiar battle, but my defiance affects more than just myself now. I’ve kept it interesting by adding flavor and drinking it hot (tea), but my doctor went a step further and put me on a low-dose antibiotic to eliminate the risk of urinary infection.
Skin breakdown, decreased circulation, and slower wound healing are also at the top of my mind. I’m no stranger to a pressure wound on my ischium and, now that I weigh more than ever, I recognize that I’m at more of a risk. Since I’ve gotten big, I’ve been diligent about transferring onto the couch or bed throughout the day to give my hinney a break. My feet/legs haven’t swelled much, but my now-slower circulation means getting a wound would be more extensive and potentially nastier than previous. I’m happy to have not tested my theory, and I hope to keep it that way.
I’m giving all credit to my husband, the chef of my house, for keeping my diet and nutrition in check. It’s so important for pregnancy (and postpartum) to eat nutritious, balanced meals. I’m talking about enough protein, calcium, healthy fats, whole grains, vegetables, folate, etc. Thinking about all that exhausts me even when I’m not pregnant is one of the most important components of keeping yourself [and your baby] healthy. Make it a priority, or marry someone who enjoys doing it for you. Ha!
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“Rest” seems like a no-brainer piece of advice, but it has rung true in ways I didn’t expect. At the beginning of my first trimester, I completed 2 marathons, maintained a full social calendar, and lived my life as normal. In hindsight, I pushed myself too hard, and that likely contributed to how I was knocked off my feet soon after; my body was going through everything new, and I wasn’t giving it space to adapt. Lesson learned: take a hiatus from certain activities to give your body room to grow and change. You’re growing a human inside you, so maybe try not throwing any more challenges in its way.
That also goes for postpartum: take it easy. I can’t speak from experience yet, but I’ve heard several accounts of people being stubborn (like me!) and paying the price with bedrest, wounds, abbreviated breastmilk production, etc. Those are three pretty significant disappointments, so I’ll do what I can to not let any happen to me. Even if “doing what I can” means “not doing anything.”
I’m not convinced that my overall more relaxed approach to self-care is all-bad because it also means I’m not one to get stressed out. There is a balance, though, and I’m trying to find my place in the middle of “relaxed” and “anxious.” Caring for a newborn will likely bring some stress to the surface, but only time (and many stinky diapers) will tell.