I know I say this every time I write about something pregnancy-related but I can’t believe how quickly this pregnancy is going by. Seriously. I’m 31 weeks right now and that means I have only a little over two months to go. I’m not sure if I’m ready! Anyway, here’s what’s been going on since my 25 week update….
Health: No illnesses to report this time around, thankfully. I feel like I’ve had more than my fair share over the past year so I’m hoping I get a long reprieve, although that’s probably wishful thinking. I do feel low energy and sluggish most days lately, which has led to me being less productive around the house than I’d like to be, but I’m just trying to listen to my body and take it easy when I want to. In my first pregnancy, I was working full time and doing a lot right up until the end, but I was able to sleep in and I wasn’t taking care of a toddler, which makes a big difference in my energy level. I often feel guilty when I don’t accomplish as much in a day or week as I’d hoped, but you know what? The laundry can wait!
Last Prenatal Appointment: I’ve actually had three check-ups since my last pregnancy post. The first was a big one because I had my glucose test, an ultrasound, and a regular appointment all in one, and I was there for quite a while. Although I was a bit nervous about failing the one-hour glucose test since I know a lot of people who have, I fortunately passed with flying colors, so that’s one less thing to worry about. The ultrasound also went well. Normally I wouldn’t have one at that point in pregnancy (I was 27 weeks), but due to the position of my umbilical cord, the doctor wanted to have one done to make sure the baby’s growth was on track. Apparently the way my cord is located can occasionally result in low birth weight babies (who knew?), so she just wanted to confirm that baby is gaining okay. She was right around the 50% percentile based on measurements from that ultrasound, so all is looking good in that regard!
The appointment I had after that one, at 29 weeks, didn’t go quite as smoothly. I thought I’d be in and out, but the doctor was concerned about a potential issue, so it wound up taking longer and being more stressful than anticipated. I was seeing a different doctor at the practice for this appointment (I’ve only ever seen my primary, who I love) since they recommend meeting everyone at least once prior to your due date, and his bedside manner didn’t really jive with me. My blood pressure reading was slightly elevated. I’m talking very slightly–I’ve gotten much higher readings even not pregnant–but it was enough to worry the doctor, so he made me lie down on my left side for several minutes before taking it again. I explained that I have this thing called “white coat syndrome” where I get nervous at doctor visits, especially new ones, and it sometimes causes my blood pressure to go up. Does anyone else experience this? It’s so annoying! I even have a cuff at home that I bought in my last pregnancy so that I can monitor it if it seems high in the office. All he had to go by was my chart though, and seeing that the readings at my most recent visits were significantly lower, it gave him pause. The concern with high blood pressure in pregnancy is always preeclampsia, so that’s what he was worried about, but like I said, my reading could hardly be considered high, and wasn’t out of the ordinary for me at all. All his worry just caused ME to get MORE anxious though, which resulted in an even higher reading than the first one when he took it again. I could have called that one! He basically told me my two options at that point were to go to the hospital, or promise to monitor my BP at home and call if it was above a certain level. He also took blood to test for certain preeclampsia markers. I usually trust doctors but I know my body and in this case I knew I was absolutely fine and that my blood pressure would be lower at home, so I opted for option B. Sure enough, all my readings at home were totally normal and the blood work came back all normal as well. Unfortunately, now that I’ve had this issue, I think every time I go in I’m going to be anxious and get an elevated reading. It’s purely psychological. I had to go in last Friday again to check and it was high, but as soon as I got home and took it it was back down. I have a feeling this is how it’s going to be the rest of the way.
Weight Gain: I think I’m just going to stop tracking my weight because frankly, it’s too depressing! I thought for sure that I’d wind up at a lower end weight this time around since I started this pregnancy off ten pounds lighter than my first, but it’s not looking like that’s going to be the case. The way I’m tracking I’ll be right up to where I was before, if not even higher. It’s actually impressive how quickly I seem to be packing on the pounds week by week! It’s not like I’m hitting up the drive-through or chowing down on candy. As I mentioned last time, the doctors aren’t concerned at all, but if I’m being honest, I can’t help but feel a bit down on myself, especially when I see pictures of other pregnant women who have hardly gained at all and drop all the weight in a few weeks post delivery. I just try to remind myself that the important thing is having a healthy pregnancy. And also, comparing yourself to others never does any good!
Here are some pics from the past several weeks. Apologies for the poor photo quality. I have to say, I somehow look a lot smaller from the side, at least in these pictures. It’s hard to tell here but I think 90% of the weight I’ve gained has gone to my thighs, bum, and hips.
28 Weeks
29 Weeks
31 Weeks
Food Cravings: I can’t say I’ve had any new food cravings. I’m still living for all the same stuff as my last post, mostly carbs, which I try to satisfy with healthy, whole grain options.
High point: Getting to see the baby on the big screen again at my last ultrasound appointment. It never gets old!
Low point: Definitely the blood pressure issue at my prenatal appointment.
On my mind: As my due date fast approaches, I’m thinking constantly about delivery and I’m having such a hard time deciding which way I want to go. As I shared in Jackson’s Birth Story, I had a planned c-section with my first pregnancy because Jackson was in a breech position and I couldn’t get him to flip. That means I have two options this time around. Opt for another planned c-section, or attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). Guys, I’m so torn. I’d love to avoid another major surgery and everything that entails, especially since I have a toddler at home, but the risk of a uterine rupture from trying a VBAC frankly terrifies me. From what I’ve read, the risk of that happening is extremely low, but if it does, it’s a medical emergency and could result in the worst of consequences. My c-section recovery the first time around was honestly about as easy as it could have been, so I’m not opposed to having another one, but a vaginal delivery is no doubt an easier recovery, and that appeals to me. That is, if everything goes smoothly of course, which there’s no guarantee of. Sigh. The doctors aren’t very helpful in making a decision either way, I’m sure because of liability concerns, so I’m trying to research on my own as much as I can so that I can make an informed choice. If any of you have experience attempting a VBAC and have any words of wisdom, please share! I know it’s ultimately going to be my decision but I could use all the info I can get at this point.
If you missed my other pregnancy posts, you can check them out here:
Wholesome Homebody 