Thursday 15 January 2015

Third trimester update

So...wow.  Tomorrow I'll be 30 weeks pregnant.  On the one hand, it feels like time is flying by and there's no way we're going to be prepared in time for Chalupa Batman's arrival.  On the other, it kind of feels like I've been pregnant forever.  I'm so used to this little guy kicking around inside me that it's almost become commonplace, and I sort of forget what it was like to have a normal sized body.

Pretty weird for someone who never thought she'd ever manage to become pregnant in the first place.

While I've never really been one for the "weekly bumpdate" sort of post, I thought I'd at least go through some of the big stuff for posterity's sake.  As of right now I've gained about 21 pounds, most of it belly but with a little extra in the hips and thighs too.  I had actually gained a bit more, but a three-day bout with the stomach flu over Christmas took care of some of the extra cookie weight and got me back on track.  I've so far managed to avoid fun stuff like swollen hands and feet, and can still wear my wedding rings unless I get really overheated or something.  I've also been lucky enough to not get any stretch marks so far, and I'm hoping I might be able to skip these entirely.  Neither my mom nor sister got them during their pregnancies (and my mom had twins with my sis and brother), so I'm hoping I'm the winner of the genetic lottery in at least one department!

CB is on the move pretty regularly, and is often at his most active just when I'm settling down to sleep.  Clearly, this is just a taste of things to come.  He's strong enough now that M can actually watch my belly shimmy and shake, which is both mesmerizing and extremely weird.  Also weird: stuff leaking from your nipples.  I woke up one night with a wet cleavage and thought, "Wow, I drooled all the way down there?" before realizing that no, the moisture trail was coming from my breast and oh sweet merciful crap it's coming from my nipples!!!  I imagine my reaction as being similar to how a teenage boy feels when waking up from his first wet dream.  Sure, it's totally normal, but ewwwww.

Symptom-wise I'm feeling pretty good, although I'm definitely starting to experience some aches and pains from time to time.  Mostly it's just mild back pain if I sit too long at work, so I've been trying to get out for walks at lunchtime on days it hasn't been insanely cold (read: virtually never).  I'm still sleeping OK as well, although I sense my time like this is growing short.  A few times now I've woken up with hip pain from lying on one side too long, and of course rolling over is an ordeal in and of itself.  Luckily, for the most part my bladder is still managing to hold out all night (as well as when it's under duress like laughing or sneezing) so that's an unexpected bonus.  Of course now that I've said this I'm virtually guaranteed to pee myself tomorrow.

As we hurtle towards the end of this pregnancy, M and I are finally getting our crap together and starting to do some preparation.  Last weekend we picked up a bunch of baby stuff from a friend including a bassinet, diaper genie and baby swing, and this weekend we're planning on painting the nursery in addition to attending our first childbirth class.  We still have to pick up some big ticket items like a crib, car seat and stroller, but we've mostly settled on the makes and models we want so it's just a matter of actually going out and buying them when we have some time.

The one question that I keep getting the most right now is, "Are you getting excited?"  I'm never quite sure how to answer.  I mean, I know the obvious (and expected) answer is a resounding "Yes!" but if I'm being honest, that doesn't really describe how I'm feeling.  Excitement is certainly part of it, but there's also a whole other mishmash of fear/anxiety/nervousness/doubt/incredulity that comes along with it.  It seems like all anyone wants to talk about is how difficult those first few weeks with a new baby can be, and how you can never be fully prepared for them.  The expectation of insanity and sleep deprivation and crazy hormonal mood swings makes it difficult for uber-practical me to lapse into carefree daydreams about snuggles and lullabies and sweet-smelling baby skin.  I guess the best way to think of what's to come is the same way lots of people have described it: a roller coaster ride.  It's going to be scary and exhilarating and quite unlike anything either of us has experienced ever before.

I leave you with my 30 week bump picture.  Surprise surprise, I'm wearing stripes.  I've decided to see if I can make it to the end of my pregnancy with only striped bump photos, without repeating any outfits.  Lofty goals have I!


40 comments:

  1. I can pretty much relate to how you're feeling. Sorry about the stomach bug...that's no fun. I'm in quite a bit of discomfort already though....I think it's my petite frame. Baby is already smashed. Ugh! You look great!!!!

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    1. Poor you! I definitely think my absurdly long torso is coming in handy for a change. Lots of room in there...for now.

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  2. 30 weeks, wow! I remember that as being the time it started to feel normal, too. So excited for you! (even if you are not exactly excited yet). I think the stories about sleepless nights the first few weeks are well meant, and there is some truth to it, but don't worry too much about it. Every baby is different and although it can be hard it doesn't have to be. You just won't know till baby is here and thinking about how difficult it will be won't help at all. I found what works best is just to go with the moment and not have a lot of expectations and judgments. Stomach bug, ugh. I had one of those in the summer too. Hope the rest of the pregnancy is healthy!

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    1. We're totally going into this with no expectations, except for expecting that whatever we plan will probably end up being scrapped. I think that's pretty realistic!

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  3. Your bump looks fabulous in stripes! So much of what you're describing is exactly how I remember feeling at thst stage, especially the feeling of another human moving inside you becoming the norm. It's true nothing can prepare you for those early weeks because you just don't know how it's going to go, but I think knowing that you don't know is actually a good way to approach it. So excited to meet CB, but of course I hope he stays nice and cozy (and you stay relatively comfortable) for the next 10 weeks!

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    1. Thanks! I actually have to remind myself to do kick counts because I'm just so used to feeling him that sometimes it doesn't even register anymore. I wonder if it will feel strange to have my body back all to myself?

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  4. Wow you're in the home stretch now. You look so great! How are you feeling about the birth? Have you made some meals to freeze? I wish I had done that...

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    1. I'm definitely nervous about the birth, but I'm planning on an epidural so I'm hoping it won't be too bad. My nightmare is pushing for hours and hours only to end up in a C-section. As for meals, I haven't got any done yet but I'm planning on making at least a big lasagna, a huge batch of spaghetti sauce and a bunch of muffins for quick snacks.

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    2. OK, just wanted to pass something on from my birth experience: if you are doing an epidural, keep in mind that a side effect of a high dosage can be losing feeling and mobility in the lower body. You should still have mobility and sensation with the initial dose, but if they up the anesthetic you can lose that. I just wanted to mention because that happened with me when they topped up my epidural, and I did push for hours and come pretty close to having a C-section. I'm pretty sure that a contributing factor to the unproductive pushing was that I was unable to labour in any position but back or side. So, based on my experience I would suggest that anyone using epidural should still prepare to handle labour pains with breathing etc., because it doesn't necessarily eliminate the pain throughout the whole labour, and you may want to avoid additional does of the anesthetic. Just a thought!

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  5. That part about your nipples made me lol! I also just came across this. Maybe you would like it too? it's a nice read. :)
    http://borntobeabride.com/2015/01/09/they-shouldve-warned-me/

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    1. I needed this! I know people are only trying to help and let you know that the craziness is not only OK, it's expected. But it ends up feeling like all anyone says about those first few weeks is negative. There's obviously got to be some positives about it, or else people wouldn't keep doing it!

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  6. I seriously can't believe how great you look at 30 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy definitely suits you my friend.

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  7. Congratulations on 30 weeks and on starting to accumulate baby gear--you almost had me convinced this would be a week 38 activity. I'm definitely impressed with your bladder--even at this stage I can't make it through the night! You look beautiful!

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    1. I've always had impressive bladder control. When I was in university, I used to be able to work an 8 hour shift at a convenience store without having to go. I'm surprised I haven't ended up with a whack of UTIs over the years!

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  8. I definitely feel like I've been pregnant forever, and that it's going super slow. But 30 weeks is huge! I'm one month behind you, so I guess it's sneaking up on me too. You look awesome - and I'm pretty sure over 90% of my maternity shirts are striped.

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    1. Yeah, it seems like A LOT of maternity fashion is stripes. Not sure the logic behind that one.

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  9. Looking good! And very wise to start baby gear shopping. I wasn't as smart (which bite me in the ass later)

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    1. I'm very Type A, so being unprepared freaks me out. I figure it's good to be as stress free as possible, so this should help!

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  10. You look fantastic. I feel like after 30 weeks, time really starts to fly.

    And to your other point... maybe I just had a really good baby, but honestly I can't understand why everyone makes SUCH a big deal about bringing home a newborn. True, it does change your whole life. But at that age, they sleep so much. They don't need to be entertained. They don't run around. They stay where you put them. I dunno... I found it kind of easy. And the no sleep thing? Eh. I quickly adjusted to waking up every few hours and napping in the day. The old adage "sleep when they sleep" definitely applies... to this day I cherish the days I can join in on Molly's morning naps (only on weekends, but I look forward to it all week long).

    In other words, don't stress, you're gonna be a rock star. In a way it's nice that people make a huge deal because it prepares you for the worst and then the actual event isn't so bad, you know?

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  11. You look so good with stripes! Happy that everything is going well and M gets to watch baby move around. The nipple thing is a bit gross; I actually didn't know that that would happen. Thanks for telling me so I could be prepared in the future. Have you figured out a name yet?

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    1. Not quite. We have a (not so) short list and a few front runners, but I keep flip-flopping every few days. It's not as easy as I thought! This kid's gonna be stuck with it for life!

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    2. I have a name for a boy and a name for a girl. I don't think we're going to change them. I just hope that we can use them! Although in general, naming a child is not easy at all. I have many friends who agonized it until the last moment even after the child was born. Good luck!

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  12. You look great! Prayers for a safe delivery and for the first few weeks after delivery to be as easy as can be expected.

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  13. Looking great lady! I had a lot of horizontal striped shirts as well and could never understand why!

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  14. Big congratulations on 30 weeks. (: you are wise to expect the rollercoaster...but the peaks of the coaster are so sweet and delicious. like today---i have somehow managed to basically not eat anything yet, my coffee is cold (do i drink it at 4?), and because i took a nap with the little dude, i basically did zero today aside from attend to his needs and play with him, and i am feeling kind of...confused...it's so strange when you are used to taking care of your own needs first for forty or however many years and suddenly your needs are in last place (: but was rewarded with many smiles and stick-out-tongue imitations, gnuuuahhh. yummy baby. i can't wait to "meet" yours via cyberspace!!

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  15. I never knew how to respond when people asked if I was excited, either. My feelings were so much more complicated than that. Plus, it all still felt so unreal. The first weeks are indeed a crazy roller coaster, but that isn't a bad thing. It's obviously a huge life change and it seems reasonable that it should be a crazy time of adjustment. I was a hormonal mess and cried at the drop of a hat. The sleep deprivation was incredibly hard at first, but you learn how to live on less sleep for awhile. I could never nap when the babies were napping because I never knew how long they would be sleeping. The thought of being woken up from a deep sleep seemed worse to me than just staying awake. But, that's me. Everyone is different. I went through all the emotions. Sometimes all at the same time. In retrospect, newborns seem easy since they don't move and don't need to be entertained. At the time, it didn't feel that easy. Seems like you have a good attitude about the whole thing.
    I would say congrats on 30 weeks, but you are probably 32 weeks by now.

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