Almost 37 weeks...

Ok, now time is starting to stretch guys. I have 7 working days left until maternity leave (hallelujah!).
But those days are dragging on, and the discomfort is escalating.

I recently went for my latest checkup and my gynae measured baby C at 3.1kgs at 36w5d (meaning he gained a whopping 1.2kg over the last 2.5 - 3 weeks), also, after doing an internal exam (I normally have a high pain and discomfort threshold, but damn that hurt) turns out he has decended further into my pelvis, leaving me unable to walk at times, the pain can be intense, especially when your bladder fills. I find that a warm bath does soothe it though. Also, I find that I have more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, and they've intensified too.

Seeing that my little chubby monster has gained quite a bit over the last few weeks, my doc reckoned that should he gain about 400-500g over the next 2 weeks (which is very likely, ok, probably will happen) then I will have to go in for induction, since allowing me to go full term might cause baby to get much bigger. I'm kinda excited, having an exact date and all, gives me time to prep properly.

I still need to complete the hospital bags, baby's bag is all set, just need to get mine in order. Can't believe I'm so close to the end, really excited to meet my little fatty and just cuddle. Hubby's excited as well, with some nerves, but I guess one of use need to have some nerves. I just want to hold my little boy. Soon.

35 weeks...we're almost there.

Hey Guys,

Looks like I'm in the home stretch, and I can defintely feel it. The changes are so rapid, one day I'll be fine and the next I feel like I'm carrying a bowling in my stomach. But it's ok, it's expected, I know the last stretch is not going to be smooth sailing, my Gynae warned me that I will be in more discomfort the closer we get to my due date. 

So here were are, 5 weeks away and I'm so excited, even with the discomfort, I look forward to holding my little boy soon. Speaking of the little one, he's doing well, at the last appointment at 32 weeks, he weighed just under 2kgs, and is engaged (head down in the pelvis). His movements have been abrupt and startling to say the least, I can definitely feel that he has grown, especially when he stretches, it feels like he wants to burst out of my skin, the tightness and alien like movement under my skin is very uncomfortable. The new trend lately is being poked in the ribs. The hiccups has not stopped as well, nowadays, my stomach will bounce up and down and its quite noticeable.

Also, I find that I get Braxton Hicks contractions regularly, especially if I'm in an awkward position, like bending or squatting. Sometimes the contractions stops me in my tracks, and I'll have to wait for it to pass. My feet too has started aching, I've been living in my flip flops this past summer and haven't had much trouble with my feet. But now, at the end of the day, they're all achy and puffy. I find putting my feet up and drinking water really does help for the swelling, especially if I've been on my feet for a while. Foot rubs are great too (my hubby has become quite acquainted with my feet over this pregnancy).

Then there's the backaches, I guess with your back supporting all this weight, its bound to take strain. From time to time, I'd get tailbone pain and lately a new development: Upperback pain. Frequent urination has me up 2-3 times a night too.

I can't wait for the day I no longer have to use my preggie pillow to sleep through the night, initially it was heaven sent, but now that I've become bulky and the pillow itself being bulky, its quite a mission moving around it at night. But need it I do, otherwise I'll wake up with butt and back pain.

I can't believe that we're so close to the end, after all the antenatal visits, checkups and scans, we're almost at the finish line and I can hardly wait. :D

So Ready...

Hey guys,

Here I am at 31 weeks, and I'm so ready to have this baby.

The last couple of weeks has been quite a rough transformation. Baby's definitely picking up weight, I'm very curious to know what he weighs when I see my gynae next monday. At the last visit, he weighed around 1080g at 28 weeks. I'm really starting to feel the heaviness in my back and particularly on my bladder (the loo visits have been very frequent lately).

I have to eat smaller meals, because eating too much makes my stomach feel distended and it affects my breathing as well.

At the beginning of the day I'll feel well energized and can move about easily, closer to the end of the day is another story. As the day moves along, I start getting sloth-like, everything I do is slower, I have more discomfort and feel the weight easily on my cervix and bladder, also, sometimes when he moves, it feels like my intestines are being kneaded. What scares me is that I have another 8-9 weeks to go, and this boy still needs to pack on some more weight.

Hubby and I have started picking up the pace with baby's room, after we painted it, everything went laxed and the room became a storage area again. So this weekend, we're going full mode to try and get as much done as possible.

Also next week I'll know for certain if I'll be able to give birth naturally. So far, my placenta has not moved up from my cervix, and if it's still there, then we're in for a c-section.

But I'll try to embrace it. At night I'll lay while baby does his gymnastics, kicking, punching and squirming, and try to enjoy it because I know I'll miss it once he's out. While there is some fear about the discomfort over the next 9 weeks, I'm really excited too, embracing it because this might be my only experience with carrying a baby (for now, Hubby and I've settled on only having one child - for now ;) ).

Will let you know the verdict: natural vs. c-section.

I'll keep in touch :D

Rhinitis during pregnancy...

During the first trimester I had a short bout of allergies issues, which cleared up and never became a problem again until about 27 weeks.

Anything would trigger my allergies, perfumes, dusts (didn't help that we experienced strong winds and little sand storms) and I'd end up with a stuffy and runny nose (normally I end up with nasal drip). Luckily I was due for a visit to my gynae the following week and I asked her what could help alleviate my symptoms (previously pharmacist would only recommend saline sprays, and only a prescription from my gynae would allow them to give me any other meds). She prescribed Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray, and I am so happy she did. After a full's day use, I did not have any more sneezing fits even in the midst of overpowering perfumes and dusty locations. Hubby swears my snoring became non existent over the past couple of the nights as well, so I'm not to sure if it helped with the swelling of the sinus as well.

Though a little pricey, it's definitely well worth the price for the relief it brings and one of the few meds/sprays safe to use during pregnancy.

28 weeks and counting...

Hey guys!

I know I've been off the blogging scene for a while, and I apologize, but I'm back and have lots to share.

Firstly, hitting the 28 week mark, closing in on the 30's. I'm quite excited and as each week draws closer and closer, I get more eager to meet my little guy. Right now he move's a crazy lot, but I like it, he makes me cringe sometimes with his acrobat movements but I wouldn't have it any other way.

We saw the gynae recently for the latest checkup (Hubby's been amazing, been to every appointment with me thus far), and she said we're looking great. My urine is clean and blood pressure is low, baba's growing and is at the average weight (1080g) for his fetal age, she measured his foot and it was 6cm long, I even have a scan image of it. Also, she says he's sprouted quite the head of hair, which explains the crazy heartburn I've been getting on and off (old wives tales, I know). 

So, what have we done so far?

We've managed to paint the little guy's room, we went with a lovely, fresh mint color (called Mint Icecream). It's a nice and calm colour. I've done a baby haul, of saftey first products, seeing as I will be home with baby during winter, he'll be prone to the sniffles. I also bought some cute baby grows and vests, bibs, socks, booties etc. will post pics soon.

My transition into the third tri has been a bit rough, I've been experiencing bad back pain, (and turning out my kitchen does not help this problem), especially when laying or sitting down for a while. Luckily, hubby with his great massage skills gave me a back massage recently which helped tremendously. So it seems that hubby's hands will be busy until little guy get's here. My sinus have been acting up, things that didn't bother me before, now triggers sniffles and sneezes instantly. And with baby gaining weight, I've been feeling it all in my lower back and lower abdomen, causing roung ligament pains.

A spot of good news though, I've only had one major nose bleed and managed to get my swollen and bleeding gums under control with a natural aloe and propolis toothpaste. I have gained about 13kg since the weightloss of the first tri, I'm hoping to keep my sugar levels under control for the sake of myself and baby. So cutting out sugary and high carb foods will be essential for me in this last trimester.

 All in all, I'm so happy and grateful that so far this pregnancy has gone smoothly besides the little discomforts here and there.

So onwards towards week 30's!!!! :D

Sophie The Giraffe...

I've been quite strict about not getting unecessary items for baby or myself. I would rather spend money on items that's well worth it.

And I think this might be worth it ;;)

Meet Sophie the Giraffee, 100% all natural rubber toy which is great for teething babies. It retails for about R329 :-o but I'm quite taken by it. If it works, then yaaay. If not, then arrrgggg!!

Here's some more info about Sophie the Giraffe:

http://www.sophiegiraffe.co.za/

But I want one (for baby ofcourse). Let's see if I cave in and purchase one.

Here's a link to retailers stocking Sophies around SA:

http://www.sophiegiraffe.co.za/our-retailers.html