37 Weeks Pregnant

37 Weeks Pregnant

9 month pregnancy update

Front view of the baby bump at 37 weeks

Baby belly comparison at 7 weeks pregnant, 27 weeks pregnant, and 37 weeks pregnant

 Side view of the baby bump at Full term! woohoo!

I got sick (again) for the umpteenth time during this pregnancy! Sheesh! And the last few times my hubby gave it to me.. what is this boy eating that he keeps getting sick! Grrr. While pregnant you cant really take any medicine or extra vitamins so i try to drink my vitamins and nutrients through juicing. I usually go to mothers market and get the 'green goddess' but i thought id try out Nekter a newer place in town. I got the "greeny", it was pretty much the same as mothers green goddess drink and for around the same cost. Yum!

Being full term has me appreciating every last moment with this little guy inside my belly. I will miss feeling him move around and how hes always with me. I will miss looking down and seeing my growing tummy (which is now the size of a WATERMELON, according to "what to expect when you are expecting").  I will miss the joy people experience feeling my big ol bump, and how my husband dotes on me and treats me extra special, like im fragile.. its adorable and makes me fall even more in love with him. I will miss the excuse that im having an 'off' day and i dont need to get out of bed early or make it to the gym or the excuse that im having a pregnancy craving and just neeeeed some sweets (;

How far along: 37 Weeks pregnant, 10 months !

(depending on how you track your pregnancy, some women go by 9 months, but most dr's and books and online sites go by every 4 weeks you are in a new month, which puts me in my 10th month)! 

Weight Gain: 22 lbs (little man is still growing strong!)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: VEERY active still!

Feeling: I still feel really great.. i had one bad day this week on monday when i was sun burned and not feeling so great, i was over being pregnant for the first time since the first trimester when i was sick as a dog.  It only lasted a couple hours and then i was back to my happy self again.  I still feel healthy and energetic (i get sleepy about an hour and a half after i wake up this week, two or three days i even got back into bed and took an hour nap! and sleepy around 4pm to 6pm then i get a second wind). This week was the only week i actually took naps (for those 2 days). I think its because i was getting sick, my body was extra tired fighting off this cold. I've done a lot of resting this week, still staying active but allowing myself to just relax.

Cravings: chocolate as usual. No real crazy cravings. I wanted a burger tuesday night at 9pm (we had couples bible study and hadnt eaten dinner yet) so we went to "The Habit", it was okay, not as good as some other places ive tried, im not really a burger person but maybe baby needed a little more protein that day, who knows?  The last 2 days ive had less of an appetite.. its getting harder for me to want to cook these days, but im still doing it.

Symptoms:  Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had  a problem with heart burn yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast still (mostly while sitting). Only new symptoms really are early or pre labor symptoms (see below)...

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this week again and I was 60% effaced still, 1/2 centimeter dialted (yahhhooo for progress, any progress ill take it!), and baby is at station -2. This means his head is down in my pelvis engaged. He still needs to drop a little but some women dont do this until they go into active labor.     My hips are achy at different times of the day still, and so are my upper thighs.  I have had cramps in my lower abdomen almost every day now..they feel like menstrual cramps (mostly while working out).  On Tuesday night at bible study i had MAJOR cramps, more painful than regular period cramps.. i was scared for a second that i was beginning labor, but they subsided after an hour. My best friend Kelly is a doula and she said this is my body preparing for labor (pre labor or early labor is what its called, and it can last hours ,days, or weeks).  It felt like my uterus was pulling upward and i had back pain at the same time.  I also have had this pinching, sharp, tickly feeling in my cervix area still at random moments of the day.  I have had shooting hip pain randomly as well the last couple days.   We did the B Strep test last week (as i mentioned on my 36 week blog post) and my results came back negative... however, because i was positive at my 8 week pregnancy check up in the beginning they will give me antibiotics during labor anyhow just to be sure. I dont even know why they tested me since they were going to give it to me anyways, i sort of see it as pointless, but maybe they have to for liability reasons? 

Missing: feeling comfortable sleeping!

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit and LABOR.. i cannot wait to meet our little boy! I cant believe ill soon be a mommy and get to watch my husband become a father. He can come any day now, its so surreal!

Sleep:  I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips. (2-3 most nights now). I am really uncomfortable every time i get into bed at night and every time i go to the bathroom its difficult to fall back asleep again.

Exercise: still doing it, this week I did 1 light weight training day (thursday), and 5 days of cardio. As i said last week, my motivation to work out right now is to help the baby move down and continue seeing progress each week. Every day is a chore to get to the gym, but it keeps me sane, helps my body have energy and helps with progress as i said. So im going to try to keep it up as long as i can.

Count down: im FULL TERM !!!!He can come any day now safely! im Due in 3 weeks (21 days) officially. We'll see when he wants to surprise us!

35 Weeks Pregnant

35 Weeks Pregnant

Baby bump at 35 weeks

Comparison of the baby belly at 5 weeks, 25 weeks, and 35 weeks pregnant

Front view of the prego belly

How far along: 35 Weeks pregnant, almost 9 Months Pregnant (one week away)!

Weight Gain: 21 lbs (gained +.9 lbs this week)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: Yes still very very active.. during the day and especially at night. Sometimes his movement hurt.

Feeling: Really good still!!! So grateful to have had such an easy pregnancy thus far.

Mood: really happy still. extremely grateful. enjoying every moment of being pregnant and appreciating our family of two for this last month.. then we'll be a family of three!

Cravings: chocolate. chocolate. chocolate. Its bizarre but the only sweets i want now is chocolate.  I also sort of craved a burger this week (i satisfied this craving by having a bite of my hubbies one night at dinner, i had chiptole prawn tacos instead).

Symptoms: Still a little acid reflux (burning in my throat) but not really that intense, and hasnt led to that dreaded heart burn a lot of mommies talk about. Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast. I read this is common for a lot of moms and its just my uterus pressing up against my other organs  cramming them.  It can also be your skin streching but i dont think thats the case with me, it doesnt feel tight up there just yet, theres still room. The belly is growing by the DAY! Im getting BIGGG! Especially after meals.  Im hungry in the mornings especially now.  

Pre labor signs:  I have had cramps in my lower abdomen (on the right side only by my hip) twice this week while doing cardio (not braxton hicks, not contractions).  It sort of feels like its stretching, like a pulled muscle (but it doesnt feel like round ligament pain).  I also have had this pinching, sharp, tickly feeling in my cervix area (kind of feels like scratching almost). I've had that three days in a row this week. Its getting harder to walk, each step i take i have the urge to pee (its not going away even after i do use the restroom). So i think his head is going lower and lower.

Missing: being small, i feel huge! But im just enjoying it and trying not to think about how difficult its getting to find something i feel like wearing that also fits!, it will all be over and we'll have our little boy in our arms soon enough!

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit. Its on monday. Maybe we will be able to check if im effaced or dialated at all? We shall see!

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips. (2-3 most nights now). I drink a ton of water at night, this is probably part of the blame. I aim for over 8 glasses a day. I'd like to hit 12 but most of the time I reach 10.

Exercise: still going strong. . This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 6 days of moderate cardio. With the urge to pee, crampy feelings two days this week, and that numb heavy leg pain in my right leg it is definitely getting harder to push myself to complete a good work out but im sticking to it until my body tells me otherwise. I've slowed down a lot during cardio, I take as many breaks as needed, and during weights i've gone down a couple lbs the last few weeks. 

Update: Im on maternity leave, its official!!!! So this week my to do list is to: have carseat installed (make an appointment with fire department to show us the correct safe way).  Pack and collect all things for the hospital bag for myself, baby, and my husband.  Clean the house (deep clean).  Wash all of the babies clothes. Purchase his glider and dresser. Start planning meals i can cook and freeze for the first 2 weeks after hes here (most women dont feel like cooking or have the time to those first few weeks).  Get my car recalls done (doing that today).  Get my husbands car cleaned out as well as my trunk. Make sure all insurance stuff is taken care of for me and the baby. Those are my "musts" this week.

Count down: FULL TERM IN 2 WEEKS!!!! Due in 5! Which means he could come safely any time between 2-5 weeks from now!

34 Weeks Pregnant Update

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

Oh my goodness..this belly has POPPED!!! 

Pretty neat comparison: 4 weeks, 24 weeks, and 34 weeks pregnant!

Its fun to find comfy and cute clothes to dress the bump, but im definitely excited to one day soon be able to just throw something on and not have to worry about it being uncomfortable, hot, or show my belly. 

How far along: 34 weeks! 8.5 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: 20 lbs (he had a growth spurt this week...hence the HUGE BUMP)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! He is starting to kick or elbow or knee my sides (not sure which body part of his it is but its something pointy!) and ill feel a little foot or something sticking out of my left side about a half an inch (You can even see it poking out).. pretty neat!

Feeling: Really good! im waiting for the week that I feel miserable and am dying to get this little guy out.. hasnt happened yet but people keep telling me its going to come! So far my comfortability level is about the same. Its hard to bend down, and my lungs are squished so it makes it tough to get a deep breath in (sometimes i feel light headed or like im going to pass out/nauseas from lack of oxygen)

Mood: really happy. extremely grateful. enjoying every moment

Cravings: chocolate. sweets! Ive been loving trader joe's dark chocolate covered pretzle thins, and cookie dough! Yum!

Symptoms: same... a little acid reflux (burning in my throat) but not really that intense, and hasnt led to that dreaded heart burn a lot of mommies talk about. Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem yet. (crossing my fingers!). Hungrier lately, maybe hes just getting nice and plump! They say the last trimester is when you really need to up your caloric intake. I  dont track or count calories so I am just eating whenever im hungry and trying (as best as  pregnant woman can) to eat healthy for the most part. I've also been getting leg cramps (charlie horses) in my calf when im sleeping, ill wake up from stretching my calf because of the pain (this is a common complaint of a lot of preggos).

Missing: muscle tone. when youre pregnant because of water weight, lose ligaments (due to hormones), and added cushion,keeping muscle tone up is a challenge. I stil have muscle, but im definitely softer than im used to.

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit. Its not this monday but the following. Maybe we will be able to check if im effaced or dialated at all? Im also really looking forward to going on maternity leave (just one week left of work!). Although i have a couple clients ill be doing phone sessions/skype with most likely here and there.

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips.

Exercise: still going strong. Im just taking it one day at a time. This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 6 days of moderate cardio.

32 Week Pregnancy Update

32 Weeks Pregnancy Update: 

Baby Bump Comparisons from 12 weeks, 22 weeks and 32 weeks pregnant. Amazing to see the growth and how our bodies just know what to do! 

Tummy Shots: 32 Weeks Pregnant

I always post the bare belly, but i thought id share what it looks like in every day clothes so here are a couple of my OOTD

32 Week Pregnancy Update:

How far along: 32 weeks! 8 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: 18.3 lbs gained so far

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! I love feeling him moving around in there, it never ever gets old! He is such a night owl, around 9 oclock he gets going and doesnt stop until around 12ish and then finally settles down. I know im going to miss this. I love having him with me at all times (:

Feeling: Really great actually. I have a day or two in the week when the exhaustion catches up with me but im not complainin.  I still have a ton of energy! Im trying to get everything done ahead of time so those last few weeks i can just relax. Im beginning to shop for things ill need for my hospital bag (i can do a post on this later).  And getting all his diapers sorted, putting together his swing, stroller, etc.  Theres just so much left to do! I need to order a glider still, a breast pump, wash all of his clothes (any suggestions for detergents you like for babies are welcome!), and the list goes on  and on. We also need to decide where we will be moving when our lease is up in September (a month and half after hes here! Ugh moving with a newborn does not sound fun).

Mood: really happy. I love pregnancy! i couldnt say that in the first trimester but the second and third have been an incredible experience i wouldnt trade for anything. I feel so good and so thankful. I havent had any moody moments as of late (thank you hormones for giving my husband a break lol). Ive had a great pregnancy thus far with no real complications aside from extreme nausea in the beginning.  I love having a bump. Its fun to dress even though its getting way more challenging as of late due to my shirts being so short. I stick with wearing mostly non maternity clothes (dresses, maxi skirts, longer shirts, and just having fun with it).

Symptoms: heart burn a couple times a week but its not unbearable and i havent really had to take anything other than a couple times i had a few Tums.  Im starting to have difficulty wearing normal bras (underwire is just a no no now). They dig into my rib cage while im sitting because my uterus has taken over my entire tummy and pushes up against my ribs. Its making it harder to breathe but its mostly just when i sit down. I get leg cramps when im sleeping if i point my toes to stretch my leg really quick (feels sort of like a charlie horse, OUCH!). Its hard to bend down now and get out of bed. I have to roll to the side to avoid using my abs (which hurt from my tummy stretching).  Other than that i feel the same and have no new symptoms.

Missing: being able to lay on my tummy and cuddle my hubby close (we have a huge belly in the way of us now). ahah. I miss just doing normal things like bending down easily and getting out of bed without having to roll to the side like a whale hahah.

Looking Forward to: our drs visit on tuesday..we get an ultrasound  to measure his growth thus far. i love seeing him! Its also always reassuring to have the Dr check everything out and tell me he looks "Perfect".  Speaking of which, we went to a 4D place last sunday and got to see our little cutie pies face! Ill share a few pics in another post! These are too cute and too neat to miss!

Sleep: its the same. Its hard to put myself to bed when my mind starts racing with a thousand things i need to do (pay a bill, clean the dishes, make my husbands lunch, fold clothes, you name it).  And when my husband wakes up at 630am for school it wakes me up no matter how quiet he is and its so hard for me to fall back asleep.  I also wake up 2-3 times a night for bathroom trips depending on how tired i am or how much water i had right before bed (thats when i down a bottle or so to make sure im hitting 10-12 glasses a day).

Exercise: still doing moderate cardio 5 days a week and 1-2 days of light weights. This week i managed to get in all of my cardio and 2 days of weight training woohoo! Every time i finish a work out i am proud of myself. At 8 months i wasnt sure how i would hold up and some days are so hard to get started but i just tell myself "do what you can and be proud of yourself for how ever little or much it is" and i end up doing pretty well at the end of it.

UPdate: we finished our preparation for childbirth class this past wednesday! We did learn a lot and mostly took away tools for Coach (dad) to use to help the woman in labor (relaxation techniques like guided imagery and breathing tools). It was worth the money.  I feel a lot more ease going into this, especially knowing my husband is also so prepared and educated.  Next on the list, we start our infant safety class in two weeks!

31 Weeks Pregnant Update

31 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

How far along: 31 Weeks (almost 8 months!)

Weight: i think im still around 17-18 lbs gained ( i havent stepped on the scale since 30 wks and 4 days and i was at 17.2 lbs gained..that was 4 days ago so im guessing its gone up)

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom trips even more so, babies head is right on my bladder! Still having annoying heaviness in my right leg when i work out or sometimes even just from walking or going up stairs.  Braxton hicks allllllll thhhheee tiiiiimme. I guess thats just my weird uterus (:

Cravings: nothing new really

Movement: hes been SOOO active this week. He hasn't stopped moving these past few days, its like he never sleeps! Or his sleep cycle is shorter and hes awake more often now.  My nurse told me id feel less movement (less kicks) and more random rolling around as he gets more cramped in the belly as he grows bigger and bigger.  He'll have less space to move around so she warned me not to be worried if his movement slows a bit. That has yet to happen (:  His movements are starting to hurt a little and are frequently uncomfortable. Its really crazy to watch him move from the outside of my tummy, we can certainly feel little feet sticking out and his butt..its been fun to try to figure out what different body parts are.

Exercise: I havent exercised in a couple days because I AM SICK AGAIN! (third time being sick during this pregnancy and second time in this past month!).. my husbands long hours at work and school are causing him to feel warn down and thus he is getting sick repeatedly and keeps passing it along to me.. not. fun. at. all.!   This week i did light light weights (getting lighter and lighter the bigger this belly gets) one day this week, and did mild cardio  4 days.  I can still breathe and havent had any trouble breathing while working out (ppl say this tends to happen as your lung get more and more cramped in there).

Feeling: Im feeling great aside from being sick. I havent had any emotional moments lately, i feel pretty stable and happy. Im so so so eager to get everything ready for him as much as i can, and so excited to meet him!

Excited for: 4D ultrasound TOMORROW!!! stay tuned for a post on his cute little face... we havent had an ultrasound since week 21 .. when our US technician surprised us with a quick sneak of a 4D glimpse of his precious face.. i cried, so i know im going to be a hot mess tomorrow! He will actually have some fat on his little cheeks and his face will have matured so much since then! Im so so so eager to see if we can tell what hes going to look like..we are praying for a great picture and that he is in a good position!

Babys progress: Hes around 4 lbs and 16-18 inches! Hes the size of a cabbage or 4 navel oranges side by side. He's now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. He's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why most moms start noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest (when he’s pretty still).

Missing: nothing really... i've actually really loved being pregnant this past trimester and the start of the third. Feeling really good and really thankful!

Additional update: We went to our second Birthing class this past wednesday and learned some new breathing techniques, watched a couple videos (O M Gsh.. i have watched plenty of births both live and on video and i must say, they truly picked some of the worst labor and delivery videos they could have possibly chosen..poor hubbies).  We learned different positions to labor in and talked all about natural methods, epidurals, and narcotic shot options.. The class made me really on the fence about getting an epidural. Id say before this class i was 80% sure id get one, but i did want to wait as long as i could without getting it so Labor could progress naturally and much more quickly then it tends to once you get the epidural (so ive heard/experience w family).  Now im thinking i would like to try to do without one.. i know i will most likely change my mind and could be one of those women screaming at 2cm dilated, "GET ME THE EPIDURAL AND SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF ASAP!!!!!". But we will just see how it goes, ill take it one contraction at a time.  The most discouraging information i learned about epidurals is that they can lower the moms blood pressure, thus resulting in the babies heart rate dropping, and risking a potential emergency C-section. Id like to birth vaginally, so ill do whatever i can to not have to go through getting a c-section, and i want whats best for our little boy.  I guess im just leaving it up to how i feel the day of.  (: Im not going to stress it

Wedding rings: On

Belly Button: OUT

Clothing: mostly wearing just comfy dresses and maxi skirts or leggings. .. its too hot for jeans. Not really wearing anything maternity and havent botten anything in a long time. My shirts are definitely much shorter this week so i may need to invest in a couple longer ones that wont show my belly but that i can wear after pregnancy as well.

60 days or less left!!!! We have 6-9 weeks until he could be here. Im full term in 6 weeks and due in 9!

29 Weeks Pregnant Update

29 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

Belly shot

 Pregnancy Progression: 9 weeks, 19 weeks, and 29 weeks... cant wait to see what it looks like at 39 weeks! Amazing what our bodies are capable of isnt it?! I am loving this time, seeing my belly actually look pregnant is seriously surreal. I glance at pictures and I cant even believe its me and that theres a baby in there! This is such an incredible moment in my life, I hope I never forget how this feels.

And just a cute little shot of our little girl.. she is so excited to meet her brother so soon! This precious little kitty is smitten with this belly! This was taken this week after I woke up and found her cuddling with me (which she does every morning). Shes the sweetest!

How far along: 29 weeks, (7 months pregnant and 1 week)

Weight gain: almost 17 lbs (it fluctuates between 16 and 17 recently)

How many weeks to go: 8 weeks until full term, 11 weeks until due date (76 days from today!)

Due date: July 19th 2013

Symptoms: Well, I dont know if its just been a crazy stressful week or if its this third trimester finally hitting me, but ive been so so much more tired this week. Its been so hard to get myself to work out (i skipped a couple days in there) but i've been managing to at least get in a little activity and push myself even though i dont feel like going to the gym much.  A couple days i had a little acid reflux late at night after i had ice cream, i think my belly is finally getting to the stage where im going to be getting full quickly and have to look out for that dreaded heart burn! ugh! Leg has that numb heavy feeling once in a while during exercise or sometimes even when im walking. 

New updates: its getting difficult to bend over but I can still do it, it just feels weird now.  My shirts are all getting pretty short (its hilarious when i still wear them to the gym haha).  I am committing to hopefully not buying any more maternity clothes because i only have 11 weeks or less left.  I am definitely getting the itch to start nesting! Oh and i tried on my pre prego pants and they all still fit and i can button them again (baby moved up a little), although they fit i  am most certainly not wearing them because they are not comfortable when i sit as well as its been SO HOT lately! I just want to be able to remember that i was still able to fit in them at this point so i can compare with our next pregnancy in the future. Thats part of the fun of keeping track of all of this stuff, it will be so neat to see the differences with our next baby!

Cravings: not really anything this week..i've actually been having a difficult time finding things that i want to eat, not that i dont have an appetite or that im not hungry, just not desiring anything specific lately.

Adversions: Im not really grossed out by any food anymore like the first trimester but i still cant eat eggs (for like a month or two now) I think its because i ate them for a few weeks almost every morning and i just got sick of them.

Looking forward to: BABY SHOWER!! I have my first baby shower TOMORROW that my mother in law is hosting, i cannnnot wait! And then this wednesday we have our first labor and delivery birthing class.  Next saturday we have our second baby shower that my mama is throwing us.  I am so so excited to start nesting and cleaning and finding a place in our home for all of his stuff! Oh and the 3D ultrasound we will probably do next weekend!

Missing: being able to sleep like a normal person. Having easier work outs. Summer clothes that i cant wear right now.  Cold weather (its been like 100 degrees these past few days.. really hoping i dont swell, ive managed to stay away from any real swelling so far.

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On, still lose actually

Belly button: OUT.. its so cute and funny looking now

Baby: He is the size of a butternut squash, around 3+ lbs, 17 inches long! 

Feeling: im feeling really great! Im really enjoying this season of life. I havent had any real complications during this pregnancy and cant complain about how its going so far. I thank GOD that my nausea only lasted 15 weeks and that ive been healthy and happy. THis is just the best gift and such a blessing and im really enjoying it right now (i hope i can say this in a few weeks when i cant see my feet, lol).  I just feel really thankful and im so so excited to have our baby boy with us for the rest of our lives together. I cant even wrap my head around it! 

Movement: hes not as wild as he was weeks ago, hes slowed down a bit, especially during the day. Sometimes i get nervous thinking to myself "why is he not moving as much" but i guess its normal as the run out of room in there. He moves mostly at night and i feel low low deep little pokes in my pelvic area at work or while im sitting driving sometimes.  But mostly feeling him while laying down watchin tv at night or in bed.

Sleep: Same, its hard to fall asleep, i wake up 2-3 times for bathroom breaks, and its difficult to fall back asleep and get comfortable or shut my mind off in the morning when i wake up too early. My body must be preparing me for this little boy and his nursing schedule.

Exercise: doing the same thing, cardio, light weights (only got to do weights once this week...aiming for two times a week but this week was a tough exhausting one). Im proud ive been able to maintain my activity level at this stage, it feels good to keep my blood circulating and moving my body. I feel like Im not as fragile as people make pregnant women seem like, it feels empowering..i feel strong and yet feminine. 

HAve a great week! I'll be 30 weeks next week, home stretch, cannot believe it!