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27 weeks bumpie
Unsurprisingly, I haven’t been the best at giving updates on this pregnancy. In general, I have found it better overall than the last. I have felt like myself, which is a huge relief. That was my least favorite part of the last round. That being said, the last time, I was very focused on all things pregnancy: I read everything, tracked every little detail, plotted all aspects of the nursery. This time, I haven’t had the capacity to embrace it the same way. I found myself wanting to rush through the pregnancy part of things and get to the end. It’s a mix of feeling out of my body (again...), when I kinda feel like I just went through it. The first time I was enamored with all of the changes. The second time, focusing on my baby who is earthbound already, has distracted me from the one growing inside. That being said, I recognized that was happening a few months ago, and felt called to get more in touch with my own divine feminine and cherish this time more. I’ve been focusing on my meditation, which helps me slow down and be more present. Who knows if I will have the privilege to do this again (whether we can, or want to?)? This is one of the most challenging, magnificent things I will ever do in my lifetime. I’m trying to slow down and appreciate the time with baby girl while she’s still stuck with me! Based on her daily kick activity, I think she’s going to have a personality like her dad– very into ALL of the activities!!!
The practicalities
Glucose update:
I realize I never really gave an update on my glucose results. Well, that’s because I didn’t get them back for like 3 weeks! The lab had some type of trouble. I kept following up, but it just took a while! Thank goodness, I passed with flying colors (kinda would’ve been a problem if I had gestational diabetes… but won’t dwell on that scenario!). I found out right before my phone was dropped in the ocean, thankfully. Otherwise, it would’ve been a month before I found out!
Symptoms:
Migraines - this is new for me. Headaches that turn into sensitivity to light and sound. I don’t get them every day but have definitely been a part of the pregnancy. Doc advised having a bit of caffeine with my water and tylenol, but they mostly happened at night, so never really tried it. I would just go to bed early with a mask over my eyes and hydrate. They were most common in the second tri, but have had them in all 3 trimesters!
Acne - Or is it maskne? I’m just getting random pimples on my face, not into it. This is not something usual for me, so gotta be the hormones or the masks, or both.
Red dots - I have these red dots on my chest, which my doc thinks are from all the extra estrogen flowing through my bod. She’s ran a blood test to be sure it’s wasn’t something with my platelets, just to be sure. Just a weird nuisance.
Sweets craving - very strong this time. I have wanted all of the sugar. Chocolate. Ice cream. I’m a walking stereotype. Last time, my cravings were more acid-focused. I still have serious lemonade cravings though (yes, I know, more sugar!).
Acid reflux - woof. It’s back, and I think worse than last time. Maybe baby girl has more hair? My papaya enzyme chewables do help though, and I don’t stress about having too many Tums, which can apparently be an issue.
Lower back pain - As the belly grows, so does the lower back pain. It’s not like a shooting pain (don’t worry it’s not early labor or anything!), just a general ache. I started using this amazing Lavender sleepy lotion on my back before bed, and it actually really helps! (Full disclosure: they sent it to me to try! But if I run out, I will def buy for myself!)
Cramping - The cramps around the belly are getting real! They started sometime around the 30-week mark, and have progressively gotten worse. Maybe Braxton Hicks? Hard to say, but I definitely feel like we are approaching go-time!
31 Weeks in AZ on my “weaning trip” with my mama
Other random thoughts:
Exercise difference - With my pregnancy with James, working out seemed impossible. I felt like a sloth. My energy levels were just not up to it. I forced myself occasionally, but was NOT into it. This time in the first and second trimesters I was actually craving cardio, which I found very surprising! We finally got our “Feloton” set up in Feb and that helped a lot. It really helped me feel good. In the third tri, I have been struggling with the motivation to get on it.
Recently, everything seems hard again. Hard to put on shoes. Hard to get up. Back pain coming back. An occasional round of lightning crotch (IYKYK). It’s just the struggle that comes with a massive ball sitting in your middle. I just didn’t remember it happening this soon with the last pregnancy, but it probably did.
Baby girl is incredibly active. Kicking all of the time in the weirdest positions, so I don’t think she is head down yet. But grateful that I don’t have to worry about counting kicks because it would literally take my entire day.
I’ve started thinking about labor again. Wah. I watched Laura Clery’s whole birth series and I’m shook remembering giving birth without medication! So still torn on the whole epidural thing. You can read all about the birth of sweet baby James here, which in general, I feel good about BUT, in retrospect, was actually quite scary towards the end! Recently, I just learned about hypnobirthing (3 mentions, 3 days in a row, by different places and sources– I’m taking it as a sign!). I think I’m going to take an online class in it–will share when I have an update on it.
And along the lines of labor, my thoughts are turning to pack the hospital bag, and gifts for L&D nursing staff. We dropped things off last time on our way out the door last time, and I always felt bad that I hadn’t known if the nurses (who were incredible during my delivery) even received them. This time I would like to have them ready to go in advance.
The GEAR
Prepping for baby girl has been more of shopping for cute little girl outfits, and thinking through what I would like to do differently. With James he slept in our Design Dua bassinet next to the bed for the first three months, then we co-slept with him in the bed, then in a sidecar. Then he moved to his own bed for falling asleep and he would come to our bed in the middle of the night, and now he just sleeps straight through! I loved co-sleeping with him, but I’m worried about doing it all over again. So many X factors (what if we can’t breastfeed? what if she prefers sleeping solo? what if James gets jealous?), so I want to be prepared.
I am thinking about getting the Owlet to track her vitals, so I’ll feel more comfortable putting her in another room sooner. Last time, I was convinced it would make me an obsessive crazy person, but this time, I honestly don’t think I have the capacity to turn that way, so could just be good peace of mind. But also, if we end up co-sleeping, seems like a waste. So still up in the air on it.
I’ve been considering renting the SNOO bassinet. People who love it, swear by it. But I’ve heard a few stories of people who regretted getting it because they didn’t want to use it the full way it was intended. I’m not quite sold yet. Holler at me with your reviews.
I need a new monitor that works well for two, and preferably one that remembers wifi networks for when we are bopping around visiting grandparents (seems like such a small thing, but has been the bane of my existence). I haven’t decided on one yet, but will share when I have an update.
We have the Uppababy Cruz stroller (which doesn’t convert to a two-seater, unlike the Vista) because I thought the spacing was probably going to be further apart for the kiddos, so I wanted something more lightweight. Instead of upgrading to the Vista– I think we are going to go with the Veer Wagon. I’m obsessed with its all-terrain ability and that we will be able to use it for years to come. I think James is going to go nuts for it, and it has car seat attachments for baby girl early on.
I have the Spectra S1 breast pump, which worked great for me with James. I went with that one vs the S2 (There was an upgrade fee- S2 was free with insurance) because of it’s rechargeable battery– and I’m so glad I did. Game changer. This time around, I am getting the Baby Buddha, since the parts are compatible with the Spectra, and apparently it transitions beautifully to be handsfree/in bra. Oh, and it also has a very powerful suction! I also just read THIS amazing breast pump review post that I found very helpful. Note: you can get breast pumps for FREE through your insurance. And you can upgrade to certain ones for less than retail cost. So if you have insurance, you def should go that route.
“People” say to re-up on bottles and pacifiers. I probably will buy some, but honestly, James so rarely used them, I’m not fussed. I really don’t think it’s necessary. That being said, I AM considering buying one of those sterilizer machines, so that I can really feel good about reusing some of it.
The urgency I feel to get all of this sorted is finally creeping up on me, but because we have everything we needed for James, I am much less stressed about the situation. I have a feeling I may wait until she is here to decide if we need some of the bigger items, like the Owlet.
The countdown is on! About 6 weeks to go! YAY! Thanks for reading about the journey. :) - AHS