Baby A’s 30 Week Update

Baby Growth: This week Baby A is tipping the scales at 3 pounds and measuring around almost 16 inches from head to heel! The fruit/veggie comparison this week is a “good sized cabbage.”

 

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him and it should decrease as he continues to grow; his eyesight is also continuing to develop.

 

My Symptoms: I’ve started experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions- my first episode was Sunday night. I went into panic mode thinking I was going into labor, but Brian helped calm me down by reminding me that the doctor last week said this would happen and to not be alarmed unless they started getting stronger and consistent.  After about 2-3 minutes I was fine, but dang was it a painful, scary few minutes!

My belly has had a growth spurt this week and I’m starting to feel uncomfortable pretty much all of the time.  It’s really difficult to get in and out of bed and my car, bend over to pick up something, and roll over in bed!

Baby A must be camping out on my left side because my left hip/butt cheek stays numb and tingly all day and night! I’m thinking it must be a nerve he’s touching.

The constipation and nausea has started to creep back in a little this week. Last night I had to take a Phenergan before bed because I felt like I was going to throw up- and had felt that way for several hours.  I’m adding in my Probiotics this week and trying to down a lot of water, so hopefully that will help.

Weight: Well, I was right about my weight going up at my appointment last week (29 weeks, 1 day).  It was a total of 17 pounds- two weeks before it was 12, but I weighed in the afternoon this time, versus 8:00 a.m. last week.  I got a little upset, but the sweet nurse assured me I was doing great and the doctor said my weight gain looked “great!” I know I’m going to gain weight and I’m ok with it, but 5 pounds in 2 weeks was kind of a shock!

My appetite has really picked up this week and according to my scale at home I’ve gained 2 more pounds.  I go back at the end of the week for my week 31 appointment so we shall see then…I’m hoping for no more than 20 pounds total this time.

Maternity Clothes: My underwear is driving me cRaZy!!! With the growth spurt in my belly, my panties will not stay up on my belly and it is not very comfortable. 

Brian and I went shopping this week to look for me a couple of cute dresses and tops for my upcoming showers.  I bought a really cute dress at Rue 21, I just bought a Large and it fit, but I’m not sure if it looks ok. Sometimes I think I look pretty cute, but then Brian will take a picture and I feel like- Who ate Laura?!?!

Movement: This week I’ve started to notice what feels like he is shaking or jumping up and down.  I’ve had a few bad thoughts that he is having a seizure or is tangled up, but I really don’t think that’s the case. It is on my list of questions for Dr. Lake this week!

His movements are A LOT more noticeable from the outside too! At first I thought it was strange, but now I LOVE it! My favorite thing is when I have my arms on my belly (top or sides) he shoves me off, it cracks me up every time!

Sleep: Terrible. I woke up on my back one night this week and felt like I was gasping for air; I know you aren’t supposed to lay on your back, but I do it while I’m sleeping. I’m adding some pillows behind my back for comfort and to keep me from rolling.

Cravings: Glazed donuts from Publix = AMAZEFEST! Sweet tea. I had one of the best meals of my pregnancy this week. Brian and I ate Mexican for lunch on our day off and I had a cheese enchilada, rice, and refried beans and I was scraping the sides of the plate! It all tasted SO good to me, and I hated enchiladas before!

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: Finishing the nursery! Brian did such an outstanding job- I am SO proud of him! I still need to figure out the closet but other than it we are ready to fill it up with some shower gifts this weekend! I walked in yesterday and started crying; I told Brian “it’s just so cute!” Having the furniture put together and the bedding on the crib just makes everything even more real. 

We started our prepared childbirth classes tonight! It was information overload and I was taking notes in my “Trapper Keeper” like crazy.  The nurse teaching it seems very knowledgeable and is all about some natural childbirth; I’m super excited about the rest of the classes. I want to learn as much as possible about what to expect and techniques to help ease pain.  There were seven couples and only one was having a girl- it must be a BOY baby boom around here! I’m super thankful that we are in the class with the Butlers, it definitely eased some random anxiety I was having right before. 

The nurse was introducing “Early Labor Breathing” and Brian and I had to get in the floor to “Relax and Breathe.” It was too much for us to handle and we started laughing and couldn’t get control! I had to focus super hard to make myself stop, and I told Brian we have to take this more seriously because it is going to help me when I go into labor. I am really thankful we can laugh and cut up together- next week we will save it for after class though!

Questions/Concerns: The main thing that bothers me right now is tearing and not being able to handle the pain.

Goals: After hearing the benefits of Kegals tonight in class I’m making an effort to do those every day.  Start reading BabyWise. Finalize Baby A’s name. Set a date for maternity pictures. Finish up lesson plans for my Business Essentials class.

There’s still a lot to do! I can’t believe Baby A will be here in 9 weeks or less; we are SO excited to finally hold him in our arms!