I am writing this just as I reach the 36-week mark. That officially makes me 9 months pregnant and Baby King is the size of a large cantaloupe and all that jazz...lol! This trimester really is flying by. It's been so busy with baby showers (mine and friends'), nursery prep, family events, etc.
Favorite Moments
It was incredible to see our baby girl in 3D. She has the sweetest profile and big lips...like her daddy. It's hard to tell who she looks the most like right now but we're so in love already. It's also been really special getting the nursery ready with JP. We put the crib together one evening and both got a little emotional...lol. We're so excited to meet her and raise her together and share all our favorite things about this world with her!
Emotions and Stress
More stress than emotions right now. There is just so much to do and so much to buy! The only time I really get emotional is when I'm overly tired. But tired has become the new norm for me so I'm getting used to it.
Aches and Pains...and other weird things
I started sipping Natural Calm (also available at CVS) each evening at the suggestion of my midwife. She said it would help with sleep, as well as my charley horses. Hallelujah! The charley horses have quit. But I'm still experiencing the straining pains in my lower right abdomen. Apparently, these are normal but I'm thankful I only have to ride them out for maybe a month more. I have new, weird symptoms now! My poor feet. They swell occasionally and feel so tight. I can press on them and even leave an indention sometimes. The girls think it's so funny and Sydney calls them her own slow-rising squishies. The swelling doesn't bother me so much, but they have also just started to hurt. The balls of my feet are really tender, and the right side of my pinky toe is tender also. I think they're definitely flattening some too because my shoes fit snugger. Both of my elbows are tender as well. I guess this is all just common pregnancy joint pain. But I feel like I'm falling apart. The most uncomfortable pain is probably the pelvic pressure though. It gets worse the further along I get and makes even walking uncomfortable. And since she's dropped some, I'm having to pee more, especially at night. I can't wait to have my body back!
Midwife Appointments
My appointments are weekly now as I approach my due date. I had my 36-week appointment yesterday and she did an ultrasound to check baby's position and fluid level. Baby girl is head down at a -2 station and hanging out on my left side. I thought she was surely on my right side since that's where I experience most of my pains but nope. She said she has plenty of fluid and that my cervix is already at the anterior position. I'm also 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced. She said everything looks awesome and that I have some of the most favorable delivery conditions. I don't know who or what to thank but I'm thankful nonetheless. The cervix check didn't feel great, so I think I'm going to forgo those for now. I miiight ask for another one if I reach 40 weeks but I really just wanted one this time because I'd been having some random cramping and was curious if things had started to progress at all.
Appetite and Weight Gain
I'm still enjoying sweets more than I used to but still no cravings. I have gained the majority of my weight this trimester. At my appointment yesterday, I was up 23 lbs from my starting weight. For my pre-pregnancy height and weight, my midwife wanted me to gain between 25 and 35 lbs total. I should stay within that range. I'm finally really showing now. It wasn't until my third trimester that I popped and people really started to notice. But let me tell you, the small bump I do have is hard as a rock and so tight. I'm surprised baby girl has any room to groove.
Things I'll Miss
Honestly, not much! I hate to say that because I know what a blessing this is. But some women love pregnancy and others...not so much. I'm in the latter camp. And this has even been what I would assume to be an easy, breezy pregnancy. Every woman is different though, and loving or hating the experience doesn't mean there's something wrong with you or that you will love your baby any less! I'm glad I've gotten to experience pregnancy, but I feel completely out of touch with myself: physically, emotionally, mentally...all of it! And I've been pretty dang uncomfortable and haven't been getting good sleep for a looong time now. If I had to choose one thing I'll miss though, that would be easy...lol. I'll miss seeing and feeling her move. That's pretty magical! It's also been really special to go through this with the love of my life. We've grown closer and have learned even more about each other. I'm so grateful to have such a compassionate and caring husband. He has no idea what I'm going through physically but that hasn't discouraged him from being the biggest and most loving support!
Must Haves
I've been drinking this raspberry leaf tea daily this trimester. It's supposed to help tone your uterus for labor. And last week, I started eating 6 dates a day to help soften my cervix. I've also read that the dates are known to help with shorter and less painful labors. We shall see! I continue to swear by the nightly Bio-Oil (also available at Target) and morning Palmer's Massage Cream for Stretch Marks (also available at Target). Still no stretch marks! I'll probably keep this regimen up postpartum as well since my belly will be going through more changes.
We're just waiting now. She could really be here any day! I've had a lot of fun designing her nursery and will do a nursery reveal once it's complete. It's still lacking some decor items but I'm really excited about how it's coming along. It's quickly becoming my favorite room in the house!
