38 Weeks!

Hello, pumkpin!

Source: The Bump

Symptoms:

In terms of symptoms, I still have a bit of swelling in my right foot, but I've noticed it's actually not as bad if I walk around outside for a bit or keep my foot elevated while sitting.  I'm also still having that PMS-achy feeling in my abdomen, mostly at night.  The doctor said last week that this might be my version of Braxton Hicks contractions.  I was surprised by this diagnosis because it doesn't actually feel like a tightening or contracting of my uterus though so much as a light ache, but this does make sense given that the body naturally releases more oxytocin at night, and that's when I typically feel it.  Though I'm thankfully down to about 3 potty breaks a night on average these days {from 6, phew!}, I'm still having a bit of difficulty sleeping because I can't get or stay comfortable for long thanks to these lovely aches.  I've been alternating between laying on my side and propping myself up against the wall using a husband pillow, trying my best not to wake hubby too much as I toss and turn around, since he's still got to get up for work every morning!  It helps a lot that I'm able to sleep late in the morning; I find this is when I get most of my sleep so I actually don't feel as exhausted as I was feeling a couple weeks ago.

Shockingly, baby is still very active and moving around a lot, despite the fact that it must be cramped quarters in there!  I'm glad this little one is still having a jolly good time in my belly; I just hope s/he keeps its head down!  I'm really curious to see how squirmy and squigly this baby is outside of the womb, and whether the "real world" activity level will be the same or totally different than in utero!

So far, no signs of labor that I can determine.  We'll see what the doc says tomorrow though!  I'm certainly not in a hurry; practically though I'm not sure how much longer I can walk waddle around carrying this pumpkin before I tip forward!  I'm huge!

Bump Watch Alert!

To-Do List:

In other news, we have made some EXCELLENT progress on our to-do list over the past several days.  Here's where things currently stand:

Baby Prep To-Do List:

• Finish baby shower thank-you notes
• Type out birth preferences sheet & put in hospital bag
• Print out calming photos to use as focal points
• Pack my hospital bag
• Pack Shep's hospital bag
• Install baby's car seat
• Get postpartum supplies for me
• Finish washing and putting away baby's clothes & linens
• Assemble glider & ottoman
• Assemble baby swing
• Assemble baby stroller
• Buy small bookshelf for baby's new library {it still needs to be painted but that can wait!}
• Review childbirth class materials & practice breathing/relaxation techniques {in progress}
• Prepare short list of baby names {in progress}
• Create song play list for delivery room {in progress}

P.S. -- If anyone reading has yet to fill out your hunch about baby's gender and arrival information, time is ticking!  :)

37 Weeks

37 weeks and still in one piece!

Source: The Bump

It's funny how wide of a span each different baby's weight could be at this point.  A 3 pound difference is a HUGE difference for a newborn!  The entire pregnancy, the one thing I've consistently wished for is a healthy baby.  But recently I also added "not too large" to that wish list.  ;)

Symptoms:

• I definitely feel increased pressure in my abdomen.  It doesn't seem there's much room at all left in there for this little one -- I'm pretty sure I feel every stretch, wiggle and turn from baby these days!  Lately I've felt some kicking up near my left rib, especially the past couple days, though I can't imagine there's much room in there for acrobatics at this point!
• I'm still waking up to pee an average of 5-6 times a night, so haven't been getting much sleep {which explains why I look so, as Shep very gently put it last night, "tired and worn out"}.  I just keep telling myself that this is extra good practice for the sleep deprivation I'll be getting over the next several months once this little guy or girl makes an appearance, and practice makes perfect!
• My right foot has been swelling on a daily basis over the past week.  According to my OB, it's common for women to experience swelling more on one side than the other, especially if the uterus is tilted toward that side, which can apparently happen.  I guess that makes sense since the baby's back and butt appear to be on my right side {which are the heavier parts} and the legs/feet appear to be on the left.  But, as long as there is no pain or tenderness in the calf, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
• I've been having a weird pressure feeling in my head when I lay down at night.  It almost feels like the kind of head rush you'd get from being upside down, even though my head is not actually lower than my body in the bed.  According to my OB, as long as I don't have any vision changes or increased blood pressure, it shouldn't be a concern.  Boy, is it a weird and slightly disconcerting feeling though!

This week's check-up was relatively uneventful, which is very good news at this point!  My blood pressure was nice and low, weight gain is good, GBS test was negative {hooray!}, fundal height measurement was "on target", baby's heart beat was a strong 140, and my cervix is still closed {phew!}... all in all a positive report!  After my appointment I treated myself to a manicure to celebrate.  ;)

Bump watch alert!

36 Weeks

Helllloooooooooo Honeydew!  {Picture that in Oprah's signature voice.}

Source

Symptom tracking:

• Trouble sleeping: Sunday and Monday nights were particularly bad.  I simply could not get comfortable, no matter how many pillows I used, how I proppsed myself up, or how many times I tossed and turned.  Sunday morning I got up out of bed at 6:30 am after I realized laying there was not going to induce more sleep.  Yesterday morning I willed myself to go back to sleep from 5 am - 6:30 am, and finally did for an hour or so at about 8 am.  Thankfully, last night brought a bit more sleep and I was able to sleep some more this morning after Shep left for work, so I'm feeling semi-normal again today.  I guess on the bright side maybe this practice with lack of sleep will make the frequent feedings less hard since I'm already used to being a zombie? Maybe? I'm hoping. ;)
• Swelling in right foot/ankle:  I've been lucky in that I haven't had to deal with much swelling so far during this pregnancy.  But, over the past week or so I've definitely noticed some puffyness, especially in my right foot, on almost a daily basis.  I've been gulping down extra water and propping my foot up when I notice it to help ease the swelling.  Yesterday the swelling was pretty bad; I'd say the worst it has been to date.  But, today it's better.  I'm just thankful I haven't had to deal with this throughout more of the pregnancy.... I feel for women pregnant in the hot summer!
• Frequent peeing:  Like, 6 times per night!!!  It's insanity.  But it's expected and normal, so I'm trying to be cool with the many potty trips that are definitely not helping me sleep any better.  :)

In other news, baby has dropped!  WOOHOO!!!!  Shep and I have been a bit concerned about that since I've still felt a lot of moving around and what I thought was kicking way down low as recent as this past weekend.  But, according to my OB, the baby's head is in the down position {let's hope it stays that way!} and is in my pelvic area where s/he belongs, which was a big relief for us to hear!  When I asked the doctor if this meant baby might be coming soon, her response was:  "Nope, it just means you have a nicely-shaped pelvis".  Um, thanks I think??  Due to this new development, it's a bit easier to breathe {yay!}, but those many potty trips are becoming even more frequent {if that's even possible!}.  According to the Pampers website, my uterus is now 1,000 times its original volume!  Wowzers!  From here on out, I will have weekly doctor visits until baby arrives!

This week I got my Group B streptococcus (GBS) test, and the results will be ready by my next appointment.  If I test positive, they'll administer antibiotics to me through an IV for at least 4 hours before baby is delivered, to prevent the bacteria from passing to baby during delivery.  According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 25% of healthy adult women carry this infection.  Though the bacterial infection is not harmful to adults, if passed to baby it can cause severe breathing and other complications, which is why physicians include GBS testing as a routine part of prenatal care during the late third trimester.

To-Dos on the agenda:

• Write and send out baby shower thank-you notes
• Purchase remaining items for and pack my hospital bag
• Wash and put new waterproof mattress pad on our bed
• Pre-register with the hospital {turns out my OB office did this for us; score!}
• Install baby's car seat
• Review childbirth class materials & practice breathing/relaxation techniques
• Fill out birth preferences sheet
• Prepare short list of baby names
• Wash baby's crib skirt, sheets and changing pad covers
• Start washing baby's clothing!

My first week of maternity leave is going pretty well.... I haven't really gotten much done at home yet this week, but I have been able to catch up on some television, keep my foot propped up, do a little bit of laundry, and start writing out my baby shower thank-you notes.  I still have lots more to do, but I'm taking things one task at a time.  Either it will all get done, or it won't!  Baby doesn't care whether the to-do list is complete or not... s/he will make an appearance when ready!  :)

Bump Watch Alert:
Whoa, belly!

35 Weeks

Source: The Bump

We made it to 35 weeks, and our baby is currently the size of a COCONUT?!?!  Wow, that's huge!!!  No wonder why it's increasingly hard for me to get out of bed from a laying position -- I basically have a small bowling bowl inside my mid-section weighing me down!

By now, baby's hearing should be fully developed, and according to The Bump s/he apparently responds best to high-pitched noises.  I guess that's good since I've been trying to shriek sing to baby more often.  ;)  In all seriousness, I have been reading aloud to baby more frequently, so I hope my voice is getting through!

I've been reading a Dr. Seuss book that my best friend sent me as a gift when she first learned I was pregnant.  It's a compilation of various Dr. Seuss stories, adapted for the baby-to-be, and is quite adorable!

Source

My favorite part is the end; I get a little teary each time I read it.  Here's a little excerpt so you can see how sweet it is:

It's a scrumptulous world

and it's ready to greet you.

And as for myself . . .

well . . .

I can't wait to meet you!

In terms of symptoms, I am SUPER tired -- mainly because I've been waking up as many as SIX times per night to pee.  Yes, SIX!!!!!!  It's quite ridiculous really.  I've also noticed over the past week or so that my ankles and feet {my right side in particular} has started swelling more frequently; a couple times per week.  When I notice it happening, I elevate my feet and try to drink additional water.... but some times it feels like I'm going to float away if I drink any more!  I have felt some pressure on my abdomen wall, but I don't think I've had any Braxton Hicks contractions yet -- it feels more like the baby stretching out or pushing against me.  I'm definitely waddling and wiggling when I walk, even despite my best efforts not to.  Interestingly, the four flights of stairs I climb ever morning from the train when going to work have gotten harder on my legs {because I'm lugging more weight}, but I don't find myself as out of breath as I once did!  Other than that, I've had a couple twinges of back/hip pain when I stand too quickly from the sitting position; but luckily nothing too bad so far.  I'm sure that will get more interesting over the next few weeks though as my belly continues to grow!  The only other weird new thing I've been noticing is that when I lay down at night to go to bed, I get a weird head rush / head pressure sensation, along with more noticeable heart beats, almost like palpitations.  It only lasts for a minute or two, and I assume it's related to my increased blood and fluid volume, but I'm going to ask my doctor about it at next week's appointment just to be sure.

This is my last week at my job before my maternity leave starts -- I can't believe I only have 2 more days!!  I think it will be bittersweet for me -- I consider all of my teammates friends and will miss seeing and talking to them on a regular basis.  But, I'm also looking forward to having some time to myself before baby arrives to get our home in order {i.e., try to cure the "reverse robbery" situation we currently have on our hands}, brainstorm some baby names, relax and sleep in more while I still can, wash the baby's linens and clothes, and generally prepare as much as possible for our little one's arrival.  We'll see once I stop "working" whether I:  (a) get bored staying at home alone, (b) turn into a total couch potato who refuses to get dressed, or (c) actually get anything from our to-do list accomplished.  I'll be honest -- it might be a combo.  ;)

And on that note, here's my 35 week bump watch photo!

30 Weeks!

Hello, Week 30!  Wow, something about being in the 30s is shocking!  It sounds so close to 40!  Our baby is now the length of a cucumber and could weigh as much as 3.5 pounds!

Source: The Bump

I haven't been feeling those super-hard kicks as much, but I have felt baby doing a lot of stretching out in there!

Symptom Snapshot:

My belly button has officially popped OUT!

So far I've woken up with leg cramps 3 times, all since the third trimester began.  The pain last night was a real doosie!  It was a bit different from the first 2 occasions, which felt like charlie horses in my calf.  Last night it was the front of my left ankle that hurt so bad -- so odd!  Luckily, getting up and walking around helped calm it down.  I'm not sure if it was related to the exercises I did yesterday or the massage I had, or neither one.  I'm just glad it went away!

Shortness of breath, general discomfort, continued nosebleeds and trouble sleeping???  Check, check, check, and check!!!!  I'm also still dealing with nausea on a relatively regular basis, which seems to have gotten a tad worse over the past couple weeks, and that darn Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction pain in the top inner thigh on my left leg seems to be making a reappearance as well after a few weeks of leaving me alone.  I also suffer from what I am calling "big belly waddle-itis", where I really want to walk like a normal human, but just can't.  ;)  Frequent urges to pee, fatigue and increased discharge in the undies area are some of the other lovely pregnancy symptoms I've been dealing with.  I think now that the third trimester is underway, it's going to be like a big party for all the pregnancy symptoms out there to gang up on me!  The only thing I haven't really had to deal with -- and I'm so thankful, so *hope* I don't jinx myself -- is constipation.  I don't know whether it's thanks to my diet or water intake or what, but I've been pretty regular.  At least there's one symptom in the book I don't seem to have!

I think I might have experienced a couple Braxton Hicks contractions, but to be honest it's a bit hard to tell -- it could just be the baby pushing against my outer abdomen, which this little one seems to like doing.  On several occasions I've felt with my hand what I'm pretty sure is a head!

There's hasn't really been any change to my weight or waist measurement since last week, but my pants are definitely feeling a bit on the snug side.  I guess we'll see just how stretchy the elastic-waisted maternity jeans I have really are!  ;)

The Never-Ending To-Do List

We started making progress on nursery planning:
-- the furniture has been ordered and is ready for delivery
-- we started clearing out the room a bit this weekend, and got most of the big things out of the way
-- and though we haven't chosen an exact paint color yet, we have narrowed down the field to a few different options

Later this week we have an appointment with a potential pediatrician, which has been on our list for quite some time, so we're excited to hopefully get to check this one off.  We'll also be attending a workshop called "Doulas 101" and starting our "Prepared Childbirth" classes at our delivery hospital!  Talk about a jam-packed week of education!

Bump Watch Alert!