It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about my pregnancy. I keep photos and stats on this page, My pregnancy with Matthew was so easy, relatively speaking, and this one has been too.
I can’t believe that I’ll officially be 35 weeks tomorrow, and that I’m delivering in 4.5 weeks. We went for the hospital tour the other night at the new hospital and saw the nurse who helped us deliver Matthew. We LOVED nurse Laurel, and after she left the day Matthew was born, we figured we wouldn’t see her again since we’d be delivering at the new hospital next time. We locked eyes with her and she knew immediately who we were, and that was super fun! We reminisced about the delivery, and her helping us nurse, and then told her when we would be there this time around. She’s going to try to be on that morning to be our nurse again! I know that it may not work out, but it would be so awesome if it did!
The new hospital is a complete 180 from the hospital where we delivered Matthew. The hospital downtown is – well – a hospital! It’s been there forever and it’s there for the simple reason of taking care of people. The hospital out west isn’t intended for severe cases, etc. and is much more comfortable and leisurely. The rooms are HUGE, there is tons of space for Matthew to run around and play, and the entire setup is more like a hotel than a hospital. I’m actually looking forward to being there next month for 3 nights 🙂
So all is going well with this pregnancy. Bryson (that is still his name, despite discussions the other night about maybe changing it) is measuring 2 weeks ahead when it comes to femur length and head circumference. People say that that means nothing, but I don’t believe that for a minute because Matthew was the same way and was born with a 16 inch head! The ultrasound tech was very precise, measured several times, and says this baby is looking to be a bit bigger than Matthew was (8 pounds 9 ounces). She’s a super natural, crunchy kind of gal and she told me that I’m lucky I’m having a c-section again, because this baby’s head is “huge.” She is estimating his weight at delivery (39w3d) to be about 8 pounds 14 ounces to 9 pounds.
I am not one to complain about pregnancy, but a few of you have asked me how this pregnancy is going. I know that pregnancy comes with its own set of challenges and even though it’s wonderful, there are certain things that can suck about it. I fully expected (and hoped for) morning sickness, sore hips, and stiff back, heartburn, round ligament pain, etc. I have never had morning sickness, for which I am very grateful, but I have fierce heartburn way early on (started at 2 months with Matthew and was debilitating through the end). This time around has been kinder to me with the heartburn, but hauling Matthew around (28.5 pounds) does cause sorer hips and a stiffer back earlier in the day than last time. I didn’t have round ligament pain with Matthew but have had 3 bouts of it so far with this pregnancy and the third time had me in tears, unable to breathe, for an hour (Dr. H says it gets worse with each pregnancy). At the end of each day, I’m pretty much done. It’s been better lately, but there were a few weeks between Florida and now that I just needed to sit on the sofa after Matthew was in bed. Don’t get me wrong, I still sit on the sofa after he’s in bed, but it’s out of desire and not necessity/survival!
I have a very strange condition that apparently only happens to 5% of pregnant women. I had it with Matthew and I have it with Bryson. My cousin, interestingly enough, had the same thing with her pregnancy when we were pregnant together last time (due 1 week apart). We both asked our docs about it and they seemed perplexed, but then I had an appointment with Dr. H and he said, “oh yeah, that happens to about 5% of women for no reason at all. The only cure or treatment for it is to deliver the baby.” The condition is hard to describe, and the best way of describing it is to say it’s like having a severe sunburn in just one spot – and it’s chronic. My cousin and I both had it under our right breast, and it’s about 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall. It hurts – ALL THE TIME. Everyone (including me) speculated last time that it was from Matthew’s head being in my ribs (he was frank breech) but Bryson is head-down and I have it worse this time. In fact, it covers the exact same area as last time, but there is very rarely a baby or any movement there at all, and it hurts worse this time around. When there is movement there – it hurts like a SOB and it’s unbearable. It’s just awful. Imagine having the worst sunburn of your life in just one spot, for 5 months without end, with multiple flares during the day – and that’s what it’s like. There is no relief from it (we tried aloe vera in addition to many other things – and nothing helps).
Besides that, I’m doing just great! Bryson has more room to stretch, we believe, because he’s very active. Matthew ended up having a short cord (9 inches) which explained why he never turned/flipped (even early on) and only rolled side to side. When he was delivered, Dr. H announced to the surgical team that, “we have a VERY short cord here” and later said that Matthew didn’t have much to work with in there. We assume Bryson does. He is ALL over the place. He is strong and his kicks hurt a lot, but it’s fun to feel and see big movements from him!
Sure, my back hurts a lot, my hips are sore in the morning, the heartburn isn’t relieved from medication, and I’ve had round ligament pain that has left me in tears – but I think that’s normal stuff and I don’t really complain. Heck, I was able to play basketball out back on our court with Matthew last night and fully hoist him into the air to dunk the ball. I would say I’m doing just fine!
I’ve gained more than I’ve wanted (30 pounds!) and have struggled with that. I only gained 18 pounds with Matthew, so this is really different for me. YES, I started out 25 pounds heavier when I got pregnant with Matthew, but the number still bothers me. Interestingly enough, I am measuring small again and the docs don’t know where the weight has gone and are not concerned (it’s all in my butt). We know that the baby is HUGE but still – 30 pounds? I am still wearing all the same clothes I got when I first bought maternity jeans, so I’m not expanding more than one would expect with a 30 pound gain. Who knows! I thought I was going to get my first, “you look like you’re about to pop” comment yesterday when I responded that I’m 35 weeks to the cashier at Bab.y G.ap. She said, “whoa!” and I braced myself for what was about to come. But instead, she said that I’m small and that she thought I was having a July or August baby. I wanted to hug her! Of course, I told her that I appreciated the comment and then went on to tell her that I’ve gained 30 pounds and am just not sure why.
My breasts have not grown at all (which also adds to the confusion of where those 30 pounds are and WHY they happened) – I mean – they have not grown at ALL. They got HUGE early on when I was pregnant with Matthew and I needed new bras in the first trimester. This time around, I can’t fill those bras up and they are way too big. I know this has nothing to do with how successful I’ll be at breastfeeding this baby, but I will admit that I’m a little nervous about that anyway.
My feet have not swollen at all like last time. I think it may be because I’m so active during the day being a SAHM this time around – and because I put my feet up during Matthew’s nap time. I am just thrilled about this! I know it could change tomorrow, but for now, I’m thrilled!
Am I glowing? No. Am I the most pleasant pregnant gal on the planet? No. Do I constantly marvel at what’s growing inside me? No. But I am doing really well and when I have time to think about what’s going on in my uterus, I smile from ear to ear!
Even the big kicks to “my sunburn” make me smile!
All the Sun For You 