28 Weeks

Why, hello there third trimester.  Two down, one to go...

 

How far along: 28 weeks next Tuesday.  I officially entered the third trimester this past week. 

Symptoms: Still having pretty bad sciatic nerve/ hip pain.  I think it's being triggered when I go on walks.  Our childbirth classes have taught us some stretching/ massage techniques that I've been trying to do to help.  I might eventually go get a prenatal massage to help as well.

 

I've also had a harder time sleeping lately.  It seems like I'm up every hour.  I either have to go to the bathroom, wake up to change sleeping positions, or wake up due to weird dreams.  I guess I better get used to operating on lack of sleep considering we'll have a newborn to keep us up in a few months. 

 

I also have a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions.  I especially notice them more when I'm working out.  I think I might have been a bit dehydrated last week which I've heard can contribute to them.

 

Weight gain: 3.5 pounds during the last four weeks and 13.5 pounds overall. 

 

Fetal Movement: Always.  She's so big now that the movement is really noticeable from the outside.  Jason finally felt her move which was neat.  She's also getting hiccups on a daily basis.  Sometimes she gets them so much (up to 3 times a day) I was concerned and asked my midwife if it was normal.  She said it's a sign of growth and not to worry. 

 

Prenatal care: I had my 28 week appointment today and everything still looks good.  I had to do the glucose test and get a Rhogam shot.  Neither were that pleasant, but they weren't terrible either.  Hopefully I'll pass the glucose test so I won't have to do the 3 hour test.  I've heard it's pretty miserable. 

 

We started taking childbirth classes a few weeks ago with a local doula.  They've been pretty fun so far.  There's 7 couples in the class and so far we have learned about diet and exercise, how to diaper and swaddle a baby, basic female anatomy stuff and about the pregnant body, and massage techniques to help with prenatal discomforts.  This week we'll start getting into the nitty gritty about labor itself. 

 

Nesting: Lots!  Jason painted the baseboards (gotta love him!), we installed a new light fixture, bought and assembled the bed, installed book shelves below the alphabet poster and baskets above the changing table/ desk, hung additional curtains, and I crafted an "M" with Matilda's name on it.  I'll probably follow up with an additional post about all of our projects.

 

Worries: I'm starting to get more worried about labor itself.  Since the midwives want us to spend most of the early labor at home, I worry about when/ if I'll be able to tell when I'm actually going into labor, how I'll manage the pain, how I'll be able to tell what's normal and what could be a cause for concern, etc.  I'm hoping our next 4 childbirth classes will help alleviate some of these fears.  We're just trying to educate ourselves enough to know what to expect.

 

I also worry about the first few days back at home and immediate postpartum period.  Jason will still be teaching, so he won't be able to take much time off to spend with me.  I worry about the recovery from labor, lack of sleep, etc. 

 

Looking forward to: As much as I worry about labor and postpartum, I look forward to it as well.  It's hard to explain, but I look forward to it because it will take the mystique out of the process and it will no longer be just this unknown scary sounding event.  Does that make sense? 

 

I especially look forward to meeting our little Matilda.  She is already so "real" to me and I feel like I'm already getting to know her, but it will be interesting to get to meet her and get to know her once she's born. 

 

Well, I'll leave you with this little pic.  After my weekly belly pic, I grabbed Jason and Radar for a nice family shot in the nursery.  Too bad Radar just wanted to run around and be crazy (like always).  Ha.