The people that comment that you’ve been pregnant forever never seem to consider that it may feel like a lifetime to you.
Here are some of the many crazy things people often say to pregnant women so you don’t feel alone.
For me, this final lap was the hardest. In my first trimester I was scared, excited and just plain blown away that I was growing a person – it was just so surreal. The second trimester had me getting ready whether it was buying maternity clothes or baby stuff. By the third trimester I was too big to move around comfortably, I had all the stuff and all that was left to do was wait and wonder.
When will I see my feet again? When will I be able to put on pants without getting winded? Should I tend to the lady garden even though I can’t see it or reach it?
Don’t get me wrong, I was still excited but I was ready to get this party started and I still had around nine or 10 weeks to go.
Best of all, your baby is between 16 – 18 inches long now and dreams while he or she sleeps. Awww. Its legs and arms are proportionate to their head – they’re just beefing up now and all five senses are firing." -Pregnant Chicken
Size/Info: According to my photo app, she is the size of a head of cabbage... umm, okay? I feel like her head is that big! Other sites say she's the size of a large jar of Nutella, a broccoli stalk (also seems small), Romaine Lettuce, a Foam Finger or a small clawed otter. She is getting pretty close to her birth height but she sill has 3-5 lbs to gain before she is born. She is more flexible in the neck than before - I guess in preparation for birth. Her immune system is nearly ready to fight and prevent illness on its on. Her brain and nerves are still developing under that soft head of hers as her skull bones won't fully fuse until around 18-24 months old.
What's new this week? So after going to L&D a few weeks ago for decreased movement... I ended up there this past week for excess movement. I know, I sound like a crazy person but she was moving SO MUCH. Like she didn't stop moving all day. Co-workers commented on how they could see my belly move during our staff meeting. I was scheduled for another Non-stress-test with my midwife on Wednesday but I called her on Tuesday asking about the excess fetal movement and she suggested I just go to L&D and do the test that afternoon - so I did. She was fine... I just can't help but worry. The closer we get the more worried I get.
31 weeks exactly fell on Thanksgiving this year and Jason and I spent our day in Montrose with almost all of his immediate family as well as 2 cousins and their family and children. I think the final count was 13 adults and 10 children. It was so fun and so crazy all at the same time. I managed to eat a TON of food even though I am really running out of room (I didn't feel that great after stuffing my face but it was delicious!)
Symptoms: The usual suspects: Braxton Hicks, back pain, acid reflux and constant peeing. I got an app for tracking my water intake and I think that I am drinking more water now (about 100oz a day) so the Braxton hicks are lessening but are still there! My back has been hurting a bit more and I have become obsessed with taking baths. Pretty much everyday I take a bath. It feels so wonderful. I am definitely short of breath - this baby is living up in my ribs (and I've even gotten a direct kick to the ribs a few times). In general my abdomen hurts a bit. I have a small ribcage and midsection so the baby is filling up every inch she can! I am pretty tired these days - part of that may be that it is dark at 5pm but some of it is pregnancy exhaustion.
Food Aversions: Eh, I'll eat anything.
Food Cravings: Chocolate milk, vegetables and yes I want donuts!
Fitness: Maybe I should remove this category... or maybe I'll try swimming again.
Bump: Lots of comments about the bump at work. Most people say how cute my bump is... others ask how I can possibly have 2 more months to go. I purchased some balck yoga pants from Motherhood Maternity and they have been a lifesaver! I went back and got another pair because that is all I am wearing. They look nice enough with a nice top for work and I dare anyone to tell me I need to wear dress pants (see below). Still no stretch marks but I do have a very faint Linea Nigra. As far as I can tell it is only above my belly button (I can't really see the bottom side of my bump!)
Medications:
7:30am: 4mg prednisone (down one more mg), 40mg Lovonox injection in the belly
9am: 1 Prenatal and 2 DHA
7:30pm: 40mg Lovonox injection in the belly
Baby Preparations: We didn't do much in the nursery the weekend before Thanksgiving as we spent time down in Montrose with Jason's brother and two children who were here from Bend, OR. I did manage to sew the majority of the back cushion for the glider but I think I need to hand stitch the bottom... So we many never have a chair to sit in... Our first pre-natal appointment with the doula went well! I really like her and I am looking forward to starting the actual birth classes with her! I am SO ready. I am planning to make an appointment with my GP to discuss a plan for post-partum depression and anxiety as I am prone to both depression and anxiety. She will also be the baby's doctor so I want to chat with her about that as well.
