Fuddfest

Posted by Nikki Montgomery on

8/9/11

fuddfestI am officially in my 3rd trimester and I am moving slower and getting tired more easily again (probably because I'm not sleeping well at night). Last week the heat and the fair took a toll on me, this week at least the weather is cooler, but I'm going to be even more busy with Fuddfest. 

I am not camping at Fuddfest this year because I know that if I can't even sleep in my own bed there's no way I am going to be able to sleep in a camper. So I'll be driving home each night which might be a bit daunting, but hopefully I will be well rested. Besides after the shows there's really not a lot for a pregnant woman to do out there so I won't be missing anything.

Fuddfest is so much fun, but it keeps those of us who work it on our feet most of the time I just hope that the rest of the staff understands my need to take frequent breaks to sit and put my feet up and they don't think I'm just being lazy. 

In the 3rd trimester I'm at a higher risk for developing Preeclampsia which is a very serious condition that can be dangerous to me and the baby. For now it doesn't look like I'm at risk for this condition because my blood pressure is generally on the low side of normal, but things could always change if I don't take care of myself.

If Preeclampsia develops in a severe case it can affect many organs and if this is the case the baby must be delivered early. This is what happened in the case of one of my closest friends. She had such a severe case that by the time she got to the hospital her liver and kidneys were already shutting down so they had to deliver the baby 4 weeks early. Both mom and baby are great now, but it was pretty touch and go for a while for mom. She is always calling and reminding me to rest and put my feet up so the same thing won't happen to me.

Some of the symptoms of Preeclampsia are:

  • Swelling in the face or sudden or excessive swelling in hands, ankles and feet.
  • Severe or persistant headache
  • Vision changes
  • Intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen
  • Nausea or vomiting

So now the question is how to prevent Preeclampsia:

  • Use less salt
  • Drink more water
  • Don't eat fried foods or junk foods
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Exercise regularly
  • Elevate your feet several times throughout the day
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid caffeine
  • If you have high blood pressure before getting pregnant your doctor may prescribe medication be sure to take it.
So my plan for Fuddfest is to bring a cooler full of plenty of water, I'll get my exercise by running around, going home for my best chance at a good night's sleep, putting my feet up every chance I get and of course avoiding alcohol and caffeine which I have been doing without fail since I found out about being pregnant. I don't use salt, I didn't before I was pregnant and there are some good choices for food at Fuddfest so I should be OK with meals. I did pack some convenience foods for snacks which isn't the healthiest, but it's that or nothing and I need to snack. A nurse at Ministry Saint Michael's Hospital thinks that might be what caused my dizzy spell and we certainly don't need that happening again.
Did you or anyone you know get Preeclampsia?

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