Pregnancy AT to the Rescue!

By Aimee Sterk, LMSW, MATP Staff

I’m just about to hit 32 weeks pregnant. With my age (42), and gestational diabetes making for a big baby to carry around, I’m starting to get very tired very fast. I’m also much more awkward and find myself having to grab things to catch my balance. Luckily, I went through this a mere year ago with our first baby we got to hold, so I’m resurrecting this blog from that pregnancy.

From 2016:

I told my husband the thought of showering exhausted me. And, smart man that he is, (and married to someone that works in AT), he immediately suggested a shower chair. It was a relief to even hear him offer. He measured our tub and took off for the nearest Meijer and came home with just what I asked for—one as wide as possible, without a back, with drainage holes and height-adjustable. Paired with our pre-existing handheld showerhead, I had the most relaxing and comfortable shower I have had in months! Yay for AT!

When I posted about the shower chair on a Facebook group I’m part of for pregnant women, so proud of my husband’s brilliant idea, several other women said they already had purchased shower chairs as well and loved them too. One even had a stylish teak one. Her budget is larger than mine the teak ones I found on Amazon were in the $100-$130 range while my plastic bench was $35 at Meijer and $25 on Amazon.

Also newer to me, is difficulty putting on my socks and administering medication for my toe. Again, AT to the rescue. A sock aid and long handled lotion applicator, and I am back in business. My favorite sock aid has fingers that are easy to squish together to load the sock and terry cloth on the outside to better grip the sock. It is called the Carex sock aid or sometimes the sock aide flexible deluxe and is about $9 on Amazon. The lotion applicator I chose has replaceable sponge heads and is about $15 for two applicators and 6 replacement sponges.

Final on my wish list are shoes that can handle edema (without laces). This summer I found sandals to be the perfect option. When my feet were swollen, I just adjusted the Velcro straps larger for more comfort. Then when the swelling went down, I could make them smaller again. Now that winter is here, I’m not finding good options for expansion and contraction so I’m just borrowing my mom’s shoes that are bigger.

What AT do you find useful when fatigue is affecting you? Or edema? Or pregnancy?