How Far Along: I’m 38weeks +3 days…whaaaat?! My due date is 6/14, so she can really come any day now. Quinn was exactly 1 week early, so I’ve been prepared for this babe to make an early entrance as well.
Feeling: Physically I’ve really started to feel it in the third trimester. My low pack/SI pain has remained consistent basically throughout this pregnancy. The nausea has also picked back up this past week or so. I feel pretty sore and tired a lot, so I’ve been keeping up with my massages every other week until the baby comes. These have helped a ton!
Mentally, I’m feeling ready and excited, but still nervous. The nursery is all set up and we pretty much have everything we need. Our weekends used to be spent crossing a million tings off the to-do list and there really isn’t much left to do, but wait!
I think I’m starting to get more nervous about the labor and delivery part. It’s all just so unpredictable and even though I’ve been through it before, it could look totally different this time.
Maternity Clothes: I basically switch between 2 pairs (these and these) of maternity leggings every day or these maternity joggers. I don’t wear my align joggers anymore because I don’t want to totally stretch out the waistband so I can wear them PP. If it’s warm out I’ve been wearing these Lulu shorts and just kind of sag them under my belly. I’m either wearing this maternity tank or these maternity shirts (size up) this like and a jean jacket or sweater over it.
My goal this pregnancy was to not spend a lot on maternity clothing because I’m really not going anywhere. Thank god for Target and Old Navy selling cheap maternity basics!
Sleep: Oh sleep…will I ever sleep/sleep well again lol! This pregnancy pillow has really helped. I have to wake up to pee like 1-3 x at night and will sometimes have a hard time going back to sleep. Changing positions in the middle of the night is like a workout and uncomfortable. I’ve also been waking up nauseous in the middle of the night or just with my mind racing and have a hard time falling back asleep and by the time I do fall back asleep Daisy is barking at 5:30-6am to be fed! I sometimes take the Unisom to help me stay asleep and it also helps with the nausea. So glamorous 😉
Body Changes: Oh boy am I getting some symptoms this time around I did not get with Quinn. I’m not sure if that is because I’m 5 years older this time around of just second pregnancy. I have some serious varicose veins on my legs and it almost looks like bruising on my upper thigh. I hope it goes away PP, but I’ve also had a friend have to get them removed- ugh! I’m also starting to notice a little melasma on my face. I try my best to be good with sunscreen and wearing a hat when I’m in the sun which does help, but I know a lot of it is just hormones and will hopefully go away PP.
On the bright side, I haven’t had any real issues with breakouts or acne in my third trimester. My skin looks pretty good and my hair is nice and feeling healthy and thick (I know this will all change in about 4 months ugh and it will all fall out!)
Exercise: I’ve definitely slowed down in the third trimester. The duration and intensity of my workouts have decreased. I still try and be active most days. I do a 20-30 minute Peloton ride about 2-4 x week and usually add 10-15 minutes of upper or lower body strength training to it. I have been doing barre about 1 x week and trying to do yoga 1-2 week (20-30 min prenatal Peloton yoga). I do walk a lot though! Most days I’m getting 12,000-15,000 steps from walking Daisy.
Once again, I’m thankful that the pandemic has made me get used to working out at home because classes won’t really be an option once baby girl is here. Between the Peloton and everything online these days I’m feel confident being able to keep up with workouts once I’m cleared after baby! I might sign up for Melissa Wood Health classes again (I did this on and off throughout pregnancy) because they are a gentle way to ease back into exercise PP or my friend started the postpartum program on the SWEAT app which she likes.
Cravings: I don’t really (or ever have had) strong or random cravings, butI do always have a sweet tooth. I have a treat/dessert item almost every night. Lemonade also always sounds good when I’m pregnant, so I have that a few times a week which I normally wouldn’t drink on the reg. Since I’ve been feeling more nauseous again I’ve been having more bland foods and less of an appetite which is no fun.
Symptoms: The nausea has returned as I have mentioned- ugh! I can feel her kicking and moving a ton which is good because I wasn’t feeling it as strongly in the 2nd trimester. Overall, I’m feeling pretty blah these days and physically done being pregnant, but mentally want her to stay put till 39 weeks like Quinn!
Mood + Energy: These past few weeks my mood is all over the place. I’ve been A LOT moodier and easily irritated (just ask my husband!). Hormones have me all over the place…much more emotional lately, irritable, but then sometimes totally fine and happy and energized! You never know what you’re going to get lol 😉 Energy wise I’m feeling pretty tired. I’m in bed by 8:30-9pm most nights, but definitely not jumping out of bed ready to go at 5:30-6am like I used to!
Final Pregnancy Thoughts: I can’t believe she could be here any day now. Overall, I’m so lucky this pregnancy has been uncomplicated and straightforward. While the second time around (and being 5 years older) has felt like a tougher pregnancy physically, I know I’m lucky I was able to eventually get pregnant naturally and have a healthy pregnancy.
Her room is complete (not that she will be sleeping in there for awhile) so that feels like a relief that we are basically ready for her to come. These past few months, every weekend was spent crossing things off our never ending to do list to get ready for baby girl. The past few weeks, we’ve finally got to the point where there really isn’t a whole lot left to do. It’s given me a chance to relax and actually be more present with Quinn and enjoy our solo time together.
Quinn came at exactly 39 weeks and FAST. Like I showed up to the hospital 9.5 cm dilated and was never fully admitted before she came. I’m paranoid about having an at home/car baby, so I’m much more mindful of my symptoms (less denial lol) and will hopefully get to the hospital less dramatically this time around.
Thank you all for following along on my pregnancy journey and for all the support along the way.
xx, A
Try compression leggings or socks to help with the veins. It aids in Venus return (blood being pumped back up your legs)