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!