Surviving as a third trimester bridesmaid

[specialk]

In a few weeks, I will be MOH in my cousin's wedding. I'll be 35 weeks, and am already really big. I bought the dress pre-pregnancy, so won't be able to avoid looking like a stuffed sausage, but at least I can wear flats.

Hair and makeup starts at 8 and wedding is at 4:30, so it will be a long day. The day after, I'm a guest at another wedding. Any tips for getting through the day?

[McGavin]

Try and put your feet up whenever you can. You're gonna be so swollen.

[thatgirl2478]

Can you talk to the bride about making sure you have a place to sit down during the ceremony if needed? I know one of the biggest problems I've had during this pregnancy is feeling light headed/nauseous.

Other than that, no real first hand advice.

[orangeglow]

A wheel chair so you can sit whenever you need and don't have to walk.

Seriously though - Drink as much water as you can to stay hydrated and don't be afraid to need a few minutes to sit and catch your breath!  I'd wear a pantyliner or something in case you can't make it to the bathroom as easily as needed.  No shame.

[sjh722]

I would put your feet up as much as you can during the day - that helped me to be (a little) less swollen.

My midwife said drinking a lot of water, eating asparagus, and avoiding sugar and simple carbs would help with water retention. Also epsom salt baths. I gained like 15 lbs in the last 2 weeks, and think she was full of shit, but maybe it will help someone else.

[CajunShrimp]

Drink lots of water and avoid salt. Sit down as much as you can.

[mandymay]

Lots and lots of water. Also, don't forget to have snacks around you because it can get busy and it's easy to forget to snack until you realize you're dizzy/not feeling well. Also, put your feet up when you can and try not to stay up too late at the reception.

I did all these things when I was 32 weeks pregnant at my friend's wedding and my feet were still crazy swollen, but I still had fun. Good luck!

[specialk]

thatgirl2478 - Supposedly it will be a very short ceremony, but you're right. Not a bad idea to ask.

orangeglow -ugh, was just thinking about that today. I pee like every ten minutes. That's not conducive to hours of photography, which would be the only reason that I would guess that she would have us doing hair and makeup at 8am for a 4:30 ceremony when only two bridesmaids are getting it done. There better be lunch.

sjh722 - Interesting, I never knew that about asparagus. I'll have to give that a try.

ste- Dress is long, so could potentially wear compression hose. Have never tried that so I will order some and bring it to my next fitting to see how that would work out. Are they really uncomfortable, though?

[sjh722]

specialk, supposedly it's a diuretic. I hope it works better for you than it did for me.

[specialk]

Thanks for the recommendation. I haven't had too bad of a time with swelling yet, but just a few days ago noticed that my fingers were a bit too swollen to comfortably wear my wedding rings and my feet were hurting more and more, so who knows where I will be in a few weeks. I have an appointment on Monday so can ask them about a rx then.

[orangeglow]

specialk - I have no shame so here.


www.alwaysdiscreet.com/incontinence-pads/productdetail/ultimate-long

I've used them.  My local grocery store carries them.

[daisybuchannan]

I was recently a bridesmaid at 33 weeks. The wedding day was crazy hot/humid, which made it uncomfortable. My friend (also bridesmaid) was 32 weeks. I've been lucky and haven't had any swelling or major discomfort (I did last time though lol).

Our timeline was almost exactly like yours, but hair/makeup started at 8:30. I do think the bride (one of my bffs) should have given the pregnant ladies the later time slots for hair and makeup to give us more time off our feet. Pictures were a loooong process and mostly outside (did I mention the heat??). If this was my last pregnancy with the swelling, I would've been miserable early on.

Stay off your feet whenever possible, drink tons of water, and don't feel bad if you're sitting a lot at the reception, you'll be exhausted by then!

[noodleskooze]

I was in my dad's wedding at 38 weeks. In June. In Texas.

Drink water, but not so much that you have to pee all the time. Put your feet up as often as you can or at least take off your shoes when you are able.