29/30 weeks

2 week recap:

• vacation: driving all the way to NV was easy and I didn't have to pee much as long as I didn't drink too much
• baby shower (in separate post)
• didn't get enough water/milk while on vacay
• baby kicks are almost 90% shoves now and I rarely get one shove at a time
• iron is at the low end of normal... 14 the Dr said but I'm not sure what the middle of normal would be so I'm on a supplement which should give me some energy
• I love watching my stomach move up and down as baby moves around and I love the feeling of the trippy rolls. They're cooler than the shoves.
• DH got whacked in the face so hard that it kicked his face off my stomach.
• baby loves to sit so close to the outside of my stomach right now that I can push and feel where the majority of its body is
• heartburn isn't really frequent but it makes me miserable when it shows up
• the pelvic pain really hurts but it's not super bad thankfully
• baby has lots of diapers now :)
• definitely have had a few miserable evenings lately but they're the worst ones so far in 30 weeks
• not ready for labor yet but I'm hoping closer to the end I get some miserable days so I look forward to getting baby out and am not so scared
• fundal height is 31cm

This is pretty much a dream pregnancy I think and I'm feeling very blessed and lucky to have it this easy. I'm trying really hard to not take advantage of anything.

29 weeks 

last week in the 20's woohoo!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day. Wasn't so great at milk or water drinking while on vacay last week... I'm gonna get back on that now!

How your life's changing:

Your baby's very active now. Oh boy, I believe that! This kid never stops moving I swear!! Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. No constipation, I'm really lucky there but when heartburn shows up, she stays for a long time! The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy. Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. Clear so far and hoping I don't have to deal with any... fingers crossed!!!!!

If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your provider before using any over-the-counter remedies during pregnancy, and let your provider know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy. This happens when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might notice that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. I notice this but so far laying on my back doesn't make me dizzy, just occasionally hurts because of my heavy belly. To avoid "the spins," lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

 

30 weeks
10 weeks to go! Tomorrow (really today since it's like 1am) marks 9 weeks and 6 days left, which is also 69 days!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). Wow baby puts on 1/4 to 1/2 a pound per week at this point. That's amazing... A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) Good to know.

How your life's changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. I've got lower iron too which apparently probably makes me tired. I'm on 300 mg/day supplements so we'll see if that makes me more awake. I definitely go through random tired streaks but I'm able to stay up late if I sleep in late. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Joints relaxing cause sharp stabbing knife-like pain in my pelvic bones when rolling over in bed, getting in and out of bed and occasionally walking around. It's no fun but thankfully not as bad as it could be.

Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size. Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.