Third Trimester – Part 1

It seems like the pregnancy has crept along slower than slow…and now all of a sudden I’m in the 3rd trimester. A friend recently asked if I was “over it” yet and said his wife had been done being pregnant around this time–lots of aches and pains. When he asked I said no. Because I didn’t feel “over it” yet. I was still pretty happy and content. Sure I had some not fun symptoms but overall I was still enjoying being pregnant and didn’t feel “ready” for the baby yet. Somewhere around 31 weeks I started to kind of get that feeling, though. I would go back and forth between wanting to be done with all of it, excited to meet our baby, and also feeling like it’s TOO SOON. So basically? Mixed emotions.

Birthing classes started in January! Here’s the classes schedule:

Week 28

First week of the 3rd trimester and Baby is the size of a large eggplant. This week we did our hospital tour and Michael worked hard on getting the nursery ready to decorate and set up. It was a BIG project.

It’s crazy how I can SEE the baby moving on the outside now. It’s getting much more pronounced and not just the kicks….but like slithering movement. It’s very Alien.

Symptoms this week: The shortness of breath has come and gone throughout the pregnancy, now it seems to be here to stay. Also, I think my stomach is running out of room. I have the same appetite, fairly normal–nothing too crazy, but I sit down to eat and can’t eat much in one sitting. I get full really fast and have to space out the food instead. I have a feeling it will be like this for the rest of the pregnancy.

Cravings: Not really craving anything these days. Kind of disappointing!

Week 29

I think running is coming to an end. Sadly. While it was more of a slow jog/walk interval on the treadmill once or twice a week, the last time I tried to do it at the gym it was not comfortable. I felt bigger and had a bit of discomfort in my lower pelvic area. It felt like a side-stitch you get when running but it was in a low spot–so I feel like my ligaments are stretching again. I might try running wearing the brace and see if that helps but honestly I think running might be over with for awhile.

I feel like he’s dropped down lower. Maybe it’s just my imagination but the bump doesn’t seem as high up on my chest anymore.

We went snowshoeing!

Symptoms this week: Officially have heart burn I think! I can’t eat big meals. Even small meals make me feel slightly nauseated. When I lay down, I feel like food is coming back up my throat but I don’t taste or feel acid. Either way, definitely having indigestion and heart burn. It’s not fun at all.

Cravings: Roasted carrots with garlic and herbs. Mashed potatoes.

Week 30

Baby is the size of a summer cantaloupe this week.

I finally broke down and bought a new jacket. My jacket no longer zipped up–or, it did but I couldn’t breathe if it was zipped. 🙂 I tried to find one at a thrift shop but there wasn’t really anything that fit properly or was either warm enough or water proof. I didn’t care what it looked like (although black would be nice). Finally I went to Target after Christmas and found a jacket that fit and should fit for the next 2 months on mega-clearance plus a 20% off coupon with their app. The jacket–even though it’s heinously ugly–was only $23. SOLD.

Working on the nursery! It’s slow going. Here’s a photo with primer on the walls. 🙂 Sorry about the awful photo. It was all I got this week.

Symptoms this week: Still having some pelvic and groin discomfort–it feels almost like a pulled muscle. I will probably take a break from side-lunges for awhile and see if that makes a difference? Feeling dizzy from time to time and definitely feeling more tired.

Cravings: Fish and chips! Will be having it soon for my birthday.

Week 31

Definitely experiencing a lot of SI/hip/glute pain, only on the right side. It’s been off and on for a few weeks. It really sucks. Nothing seems to really help it. I know it’s because ligaments are loosening and the pelvic bones are probably shifting and widening. All the work I did to strengthen my glutes to fix my knee issues don’t seem to matter now. It’s a little disappointing I can’t do much to “fix” this issue like I could before getting pregnant.

Feeling emotional and down about this. The pain got worse this week and for four days straight I was in horrible, horrible pain–like make me cry pain. It’s in my butt/SI joint on the right side. I knew that this could happen, but I guess I just thought it would happen closer to my due date.

I’ve been really lucky so far that the discomfort of pregnancy has been mild. Mostly annoying, but nothing too awful that it kept me from being able to do things. I was able to work out throughout (even during the first trimester when I felt sick 24/7). I was able to run until around 29 weeks. I guess I was just hoping that this type of awful pain wouldn’t happen quite so early in the 3rd trimester.

I went to the chiropractor and he was able to do some adjustments. I think it helped. I felt beaten up and sore that night but the next day I felt a lot better and was having less symptoms…so I think I might be going to chiro once a week for awhile to see if that helps. If it offers some relief for the next 9 weeks, I’ll do it. I just want to be able to stay somewhat active for my sanity and stress relief and to not be in constant pain. 🙁

On a positive note….

I promised myself I wouldn’t buy any baby clothes. At least until after my shower. I know you tend to get a lot of clothes from people…but I was just going to look at the clearance rack at Fred Meyer and I found these adorable outfits and I couldn’t RESIST!

So cute!

Symptoms this week: Horrible pelvic girdle pain. Horrible! See above.

Cravings: BBQ!! And root beer.

Doctor Appointment

Went to my first 3rd trimester OB appointment  at 31 weeks. Blood pressure was good (106/60), baby is measuring exactly on schedule, my belly is measuring right on schedule and the doctor estimates he’s about 4 pounds this week. We heard his heart beat and she poked and prodded and the baby is head down with his feet on the upper ride side of my belly (exactly where I feel most of his movements). He still has room to move around so there’s a chance he might flip back up but she said it’s not a concern until we get to 36 weeks (when I’ll have another ultrasound to check position).

I discussed the back/glute/SI pain I’d been having lately. She suggested I keep up with chiro and massage for the rest of the pregnancy to alleviate some of the pain. She also gave me a new belt. The one I had was from a friend and is now too tight. This one seems to be helping a bit.

I was given my breast pump. It comes with a DVD so I guess we’ll be watching that soon. LOL I’m totally excited about that (not really, but I need to figure this thing out). I also got the Tdap vaccine booster and she made the rest of my OB appointments…I will start going every two weeks soon and then weekly. I even have some scheduled for the week I’m due AND the week after my due date, just in case…(which I’m hoping I won’t need).

I was weighed at my appointment but I didn’t look and I don’t know that I’m ready to look at the number right now. I’ve been a bit of a hormonal mess the last two weeks (similar to the hormonal mood swings I felt in the first trimester) so I’m feeling a little too “fragile” to see my weight right now, if that makes sense.

Previous Posts:   

Secret Keeper

Behind the Scenes

First Trimester

Let’s Talk About Weight

Second Trimester – Part 1

Old Wives’ Tales

It’s A….

Second Trimester – Part 2

Body Changes During Pregnancy

Drink This and Try Not To Puke

Second Trimester – Part 3

Hospital Tour

Babymoon