The 9th and final month of pregnancy is here! I meet this milestone with mixed emotions. A lot of excitement to meet baby boy as well as nervousness about labor/delivery and the postpartum phase aka the 4th trimester. I’m also acutely aware the pregnancy is drawing to a close. This is most likely the last time I will be pregnant so I’m attempting to savor and appreciate every moment despite feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
The baby bump is getting bigger by the day and I sometimes feel like I couldn’t possibly get any bigger. As I walk around Bangkok women often remark at my sizable bump and give it a little rub. Many will pat my belly and say ‘boy, boy’ over and over. I smile and say ‘yes, it’s a boy’ while trying politely not to stop. I believe the Thais think rubbing a baby bump is good luck for them. Generally speaking I prefer if people I don’t know don’t touch me, but I’ve grown as accustomed as I possibly can to the lack of personal space, given my personality that is.
Third Trimester: Weeks 36 & 37 in Review
Craving …
sharp cheddar cheese with an apple makes for the perfect afternoon snack. I’m also still craving ice cream after dinner. Who invented ice cream? That person(s) was a freaking g.e.n.i.u.s!!!!
Feeling …
tired and ready to meet baby boy! Pregnancy insomnia has reared its ugly head {my body’s way of preparing me for the newborn stage I suppose}. Not sleeping well coupled with my substantial increased girth, swollen feet/hands and a couple days of seriously intense round ligament pain I must admit I’ve entered the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. Sorry for whining!!
Missing …
sleeping through the night. Between getting up to use the potty, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in and a 3 year old who’s decided co-sleeping is her jam good sleep is essentially nonexistent.
Wearing …
No real changes on this front though a few of my ‘starter bump’ tanks tops are a little bit too small for the bump now. They are my favorite tanks to sleep in so I’m totally pushing through with them, but they do slightly look like mid-drifts *blushing*.
Movement …
so many kicks, punches and whole body shifts. Kiwi has a knack for punching me in my hip. It’s one of the stranger fetal movements I have experienced. He occasionally will kick me in the ribs, but it’s a rare occurrence. Jellybean on the other hand was always kicking me in the ribs.
Excited About …
checking some big pre-baby stuff off the to do list. I’ve booked a newborn photographer {check out these lessons learned from my 1st pregnancy}, mostly packed my hospital bag, met with my doula and made progress on organizing and decorating the nursery.
Highlight …
was having my little sister and brother-in-law in town. My sister and I got some quality time in and I got to spend my birthday with her for the first time in I’m not even sure how many years!
Nervous About …
labor not starting on its own. It seems lots of moms-to-be worry about the opposite – going into labor too early or having their labors go too quickly, especially when it’s the 2nd or 3rd baby. My concerns are a bit different. With my first I never went into labor, at least not naturally. I was induced at 41 weeks and Jellybean was born at 41 week +1 via emergency c-section. I am hoping/praying for a VBAC this time around and my doctor’s big requirement is I go into labor on my own … no inductions this time around. So here is to hoping baby boy decides on his own birthday!!
First vs. Second Pregnancy …
The biggest difference at this point is my hands don’t have the numbness they did with my first pregnancy. While my hands and feet are absolutely swollen I don’t get the numbness or tingling feelings in my hands like I did with Jellybean. So thankful for that! Checkout my recap of my 36 and 37 week with Jellybean.
Any pregnancy tidbits you care to share? I would love to hear them!
