Remember I wrote somewhere that there were more ailments cropping up in the weeks ahead after the surgery? My 2nd trimester was a roller-coaster ride because I had to go through quite a bit to get to week 30.
After the surgery, upon returning to Singapore, my legs puffed up so bad that I could not stand or sit still for long. I was mostly lying on my sides or on my back with my legs elevated to keep the water retention at bay. I could not move around too much, the only time I got out of bed was to go to the toilet or eat. I seriously had no appetite though, given that the longer I sit at the dining table, the more puffed up my legs were. I could not go out as much as a walk down the stairs = puffed up, red, swollen legs. I had heart palpitations now and then as well, because I was anxious about the babies' development. You really have to be strong-willed after the surgery, and in time, lucky for me, everything above started to subside after nearly 2 weeks.
But the ailments did not just stop there. After the puffiness on my legs and belly were more or less gone, I was visited by hive like rashes on my legs and body. I want to put up a picture here but it is too disgusting and I do not want to scare people off. You can however look up on PUPPS here http://www.pregnancycorner.com/being-pregnant/complications/pupps.html . Watch out for symptoms like small blisters and itchiness all over your belly and stretch marks will suddenly appear, blistering red. These were not mere rashes but will occur over large areas on your body, hands or feet. I had to endure another 2 weeks or so of torture, my legs and belly were itching but I refrained myself from scratching. I went to a local GP to get a diagnosis, apparently pregnancy rash such as PUPPS is common among women carrying multiples. The GP I consulted gave me a hydrocortisone-like cream, recommended me body wash for sensitive skin and a hydrating moisturizing cream for dry, sensitive skin. I also found out that I might be allergic to my own sweat, so I had to stay cool all the time and not sweat too much. Alhamdulillah, the rashes finally subsided after much care although the hot weather and the current haze situation in Singapore might cause the rashes to pop up again. This time round, if the rashes comes back, I am prepared.
Apart from the above, I still feel backache and restless legs, cramps and Braxton Hicks now and then while I sleep. There are times when I will wake up in the middle of the night because I feel very uncomfortable. My legs feel very sore and restless, or my hands will cramp up. The best thing to do when you are faced with insomnia is to recite prayers especially for you own well-being and the babies, or buy lots of wedge-like pillows to prop up against your back and tummy when you sleep at night. I get my daily advice on how to overcome such ailments from here: http://www.babycenter.com.sg/
There are times when I will read online forums but if I needed a thorough explanation, I would either consult Prof B or just recently, Dr Anita. I also bought a couple of pregnancy books to help me understand things that I am unsure of, such as TTTS, SIUGR or PUPPS, all common ailments that women pregnant with multiples faced.
For sharing purposes, I bought the following books to read during my free time at home:
You can get them from Kinokuniya if you reside in Singapore or Amazon.com.
P.S: Cannot wait to see my babies on screen tomorrow, keep us in your prayers always!
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