Today officially marks the beginning of summer, and I for one couldn’t be happier. Despite the fact that I’ve swelled up like a water balloon and people keep pitying me for having to be pregnant all through the hot hot Valley summer (seriously, it’s 10 degrees hotter here…that’s not just a cute tagline) I welcome the opportunity to wear minimal clothes and float around in the pool, where it doesn’t matter how much water weight you’re packin’ (or baby weight for that matter) because everyone is weightless. And damn, that feels good.
I hadn’t really experienced swelling in pregnancy until a few weeks ago when I noticed that my ankle bones had disappeared. I’d been warned of this phenomenon by other pregnant women, so naturally I chalked it up to the fact that I’m (most likely psychosomatically) experiencing every text book pregnancy symptom ever recorded, put on my support hose, and hopped on a plane to NY. By the time we landed in the big apple, the swelling had engulfed my knees. Now, I’m swollen just about everywhere. My arms. My face. My thighs. And I can forget about wearing my wedding rings until I’ve popped this sucker out. (I know, you’re probably all thinking “keep telling yourself that’s swelling, honey” but my Doctor confirmed it. And she’s a Doctor. So there.)
Anyway – after a mini-scare that all the swelling might be related to the terrifying pregnancy condition preeclampsia, the Doc’s determined that my blood pressure remains low, my little one remains happy and healthy in the womb where she belongs, and it appears that for whatever reason, I’m just retaining a bit more water than your average pregnant girl. The prescription? Having an awesome summer. That’s right. I’m supposed to relax, put my feet up whenever possible, eat as much fruit and protein as I can muster (BBQ anyone?) and swim to my heart’s content (to take the pressure off my joints and allow some of this water to find it’s way to my bladder and the hell out of me.) Sure, I’ve got to avoid carbs and salt – which totally blows – but I’m focusing on the positive here.
So this morning, after the horrifying endeavor of trying to squeeze my big white pregnant butt into a swimsuit, I sprayed on the sunscreen (leaving the above pictured imprint of my foot grease-stained into our backyard concrete) and went for a dip. And let me tell you – I have never felt such sweet relief. I think I’ll do it again tomorrow.