Which is no small feat, considering the fact that I am six feet tall and have 35 extra pounds right out front.
(I'm slightly embarrassed to write this post, but I figured anyone who might Google "falling during pregnancy" will need some support and positivity.)
I was taking a nap on the couch while Aidan watched Martha Speaks on PBS. He was snuggled right up next to me, and I think the tv was a bit too loud. One of the characters (I think) was crying on the show, and in my dream land I dreamed that Ethan was locked out of the house and pounding on the door crying, "Mama! Mama!" In my sleep induced haze, I jumped off of the couch, ran to the door as fast as I could, and never caught my balance. I landed on my left side: my knee has a bruise the size of a (big) cookie, my left hip is completely bruised, my left shoulder hurts (a lot), and I hit the left side of my head on the floor. I wasn't even fully awake until after this entire thing happened. And, ironically, the front door was unlocked, and Ethan wasn't due home for two more hours.
I sat back down on the couch and felt the baby move. I called my midwife and explained the situation. And I am doing fine. Very sore, but fine.
Things I learned from this situation:
- remove as many distractions as possible while napping. The noise of the tv definitely affected my pregnancy dreams.
- think about what might be causing me anxiety. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm thinking a lot about making sure my kids feel loved. I think this was an extension of that.
- give extra loves to my son who witnessed this. Aidan seemed okay that day, until he went to bed that night. When Christian went in to check on him, he was crying and he had been replaying the situation over and over in his head. He was afraid the baby and I were not okay. I felt so bad that I caused him trauma without even knowing it!
- pregnant women fall. Both my mom and sister slipped on ice when they were 38 and 37 weeks along, respectively (and I turned out...mostly healthy and okay, right??) I just managed to fall in the middle of spring inside of my house. But the baby is moving normally, and besides walking even more bizarrely now (because I'm so sore), I think everything is just fine. I'm just hoping I will heal enough to be prepared for the mental taxation and the physical requirements of labor.
31 people wanted to leave a comment:
Oh, that is so scary! I am sorry. I hope you're feeling better.
This happened to me several times when I was pregnant with my oldest.
I hope your owies heal quickly!
I love that you've analyzed why this happened!
I fell when I was about 30 weeks along. I was walking in traction-less hooker boots at my in-laws. I was actually running through the house trying to catch someone before they left. There was some water on the laminate flooring that I slipped on. I started going down and flailed, trying not to land on my belly. I ended up running into the TV and shelves, but didn't land on my belly.
It really shook me up, though. I caught the person leaving, but broke down into tears trying to talk to them.
I'm glad you're okay. Poor Aiden. Sweet that he's worried about his momma and baby sister.
Wow, girl! Take it easy! I hope you feel better quickly...and little Aidan too!
Yikes-glad to hear you're mostly okay. Hope the soreness goes away!
OUCH! I'm glad you're ok! I've never fallen like that while pregnant. How scary! When are you having that baby girl? I can't wait to see some pictures!
All that progesterone coursing through your body makes your joints really loose during pregnancy, and so you fall more easily. I had a hard time holding things, and broke so many dishes and glasses when I was pregnant! I just couldn't grip as tightly. When I was pregnant with Emily I tried to sit down while I was talking with someone at the drs office, and I missed the chair completely, and fell backwards all over myself. SO DANG EMBARRASSING!!! Glad you're okay. :)
Oh my gosh! I'm glad you are okay. That is scary!
I fell when I was about 38 weeks right flat on my stomach (think of Bambi on the ice-yep that was me). I think I was more embarassed than anything-it was right in front of the hospital where I was going to deliver and a Dr. saw me. Baby turned out fine-but the whole hospital heard about it (it was Franklin County Medical Center). Fun times.
Awww, that's horrible... but so sweet your little one was worried about you! Hope you're feeling better soon :-)
Glad to know that everything is okay. When my sis was preggers, her knee suddenly went out of its socket (don't ask me to explain, I don't get it--I guess from the extra weight) and the pain was so bad, she passed out and hit her eye on the bathroom sink. At least that's what she SAYS happened . . .anyway, the baby was fine but she had quite the shiner.
Awww! Poor you! That must have been a major fall to hurt all those places! And poor little Aidan, what a sweetheart. I hope he gets over it quick. (he told me today that his sister will be born "in 3 weeks or 2 weeks or 1 week." He's so cute!)
Yikes! Glad you and the baby are fine...And I hope the soreness and stiffness heal up quick!
I'm so glad you and baby are okay! My OBGYN told me about the birth of his youngest child. His wife slipped on a spot of oily asphalt at 35 weeks and instantly went into labor. He helped his wife deliver what they thought was a healthy, albeit tiny and early, baby girl. But one hour after her birth they had to place her on life support. Her lungs weren't developed enough. Today she's a happy, healthy 12-year-old. So, in the end at least, it all worked out for them. But, again, I'm glad you are okay.
When I was pregnant with ellie, I slipped coming down the stairs with a box of plastic dishes. I slid and landed hard on my hip and dishes went flying. Lydia wasn't even quite 2, but for a long time she asked me to be careful on the stairs. I was surprised that it scared her, but I guess kids don't expect to see their moms fall - ever! My mom fell while pregnant with me, too. And I'm fairly sure that none of my quirks go back to that. I'm so glad that you are okay and that your baby is happy, too!
Erin, that is terrible! I'm glad you and baby are "ok", but as if there aren't enough discomforts already!
I remember Lara took a very bad fall on the ice when she was pregnant. She totally blocked falling on her stomach & skinned her legs & arms badly. I remember thinking about what a good Mom she was to think of the baby in a split second like that.
Ack--what a nightmare!
Glad you're OK. I think I did some things like this when I was pregnant. Definately hurts a bit more!!
I remember being that pregnant and falling asleep everywhere and every time I sat down. It was a running joke.
Sorry for your fall. I hope you feel better soon... like as soon as that baby comes!!! Names??
Ouch! I'm sorry that you fell. I have totally done that. Gotten startled awake and tried to move whilst half asleep and not when I was pregnant. I can't imagine how hard it would be to stay upright in that situation. I'm glad that both you and the babe are doing okay.
Ack! I am so sorry you fell! I hope you feel better soon. I'm glad you two are okay,
Whoooo. That's a bad one! I'm glad you are okay and hope the soreness is not as bad tomorrow! So I guess falling at the end of your pregnancy runs in your family? It's a genetic thing? Funny (not really in a laughy sort of way. . .)
So glad you're okay! My balance was so off when I was pregnant, I managed to step off the side of a 5' wide sidewalk and twist my ankle.
Yikes! Glad you are doing well and I bet you will heal just in time for labor. I was always so off balance in my last months of pregnancy thanks to a big belly and loose joints. Take it easy for a few days:)
love this post, the raw honesty of your love and emotion. i have always read and thought you are a great mother, and mother-to-be. Keep resting as much as you can, enjoy pregnancy, and you are in many prayers as you continue this journey.
i always think of you, wishing for a mom's moment to blog...had surgery last week and am taking the time finally. if you give a mom a moment...
thanks for writing.
I fell down the stairs during my third trimester and hurt my tailbone BAD. It was lame. I still think that maybe I broke it because it hurt for MONTHS. I hope you feel healed soon and that the heart palpitations will pass. :)
Ohhhhh, I'm sooooooooooooo sorry you're hurt! Poor thing! Glad the baby is okay! It's scary to fall! Your description of the whole thing was pretty funny to imagine though, I would TOTALLY have done that in a sleepy haze! Are you really 6 feet tall!?!?! That is AWESOME!
I fell while prego with Milla. Not like your fall, which sounded very painful, but I stepped on a toy and couldn't keep my balance and down I went. I did catch myself with my knees and hands. I couldn't stop laughing and crying because I just had this picture of my big pregnant self slow motion falling with the sound that comes with it going ungracefully to the ground. Anyway,
I am glad you are okay and think of the story you now have to share with her.
I fell when I was about 33 weeks along with Sophia. I was making dinner in my kitchen and I fell because I slipped on some spilt water. I was making my husband's birthday dinner, and I couldn't finish, because I couldn't get up off the floor without help, and I had pulled my groin so badly that I couldn't even walk. The rest of my pregnancy was so painful from that one incident. But, the baby was fine.
Gah. What we go through bringing little people into this world! And I'm not only talking about physical issues for the moms. Look at you being so concerned about your other children and how they deal with the new baby. You're awesome. I hope that your bruises heal quickly!
Oh, my gosh! So glad you're okay!
I've been thinking a lot about you and your fall since I fell on Friday. I'm so glad you are alright. (and after reading Emily boy broke his leg I'm wondering if this runs in the family?) Good luck on getting that baby here! And enjoyed the Applebees comment. Thanks.
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