Third Trimester Part Three (to week 41)

Third trimester happenings: Currently writing this as we round the corner into week 41. This homestretch is turning out to be the hardest. I pride myself on being pretty even keeled and not overly emotional but this time has been testing (and hey, some of it I can’t help with all these crazy hormones, right??). We’ve been ready for her arrival for weeks (nursery is done, car seat is in the car, hospital bag is packed, brains are geared up for the huge change that’s about to occur, etc.). Everything is complete and now we are just sitting, waiting, wishing she’d make her arrival. I am happy and feel very blessed I’m still feeling great physically, however, I’d be lying if I said every day has been great mentally. The emotional toll has not been easy for either of us (not trying to speak for Jeff but I think he would agree). I love surprises but I am a planner and the unknown of this is more draining than I ever imagined. The fact I thought she was going to come early doesn’t help either. As I said, everything is done but maybe there are lessons that still need to be learned and I’m really trying to soak up whatever they are. Whether that’s patience or enjoying living in the moment or letting go of control (my doula thinks this is the big one for me hah) or something else, but some days that’s easier said than done. Some days I have felt close to my breaking point and nearing the edge of losing my sanity and feeling guilty for not basking in the joy like I had been, fully understanding why people want to get induced and get this show on the road. Other days I’m totally calm and positive and enjoying time with just my husband and dogs and all her moments inside of me while I still can. I’ve gone from begging God to have her come to laughing at the sheer delirium and craziness we are feeling from waiting. Ultimately, I know she will come when she’s ready (she’s picking her birthday after all so it’s kinda a big deal) and when it’s right and I know that my body is still moving forward with this process whether or not it’s at the pace or the way I want. I keep trying to tell myself that I don’t see the bigger picture but God does and he is in control and I will trust that all is unfolding how it should. 

On another note, throughout my pregnancy I’ve made it clear how much I’ve enjoyed it and how great I’ve felt (besides a few minor things of course) and so I wanted to share some of the reasons why I think this has been the case and things I think contributed to this (will update if I think of more). Some of these things are specific if you want to get pregnant or are currently pregnant but others are applicable if you could care less about having kids or if your baby is in college. Here goes:

• Be active- Let’s not call it ‘working out’, let’s call it being active because I don’t care if you’re doing actual exercises, as long as you are moving your body. Dance around your house, run around with your dogs (or children), just move your body, get your heart rate up, and move your body however you want. I know that the fact I was so active prior to pregnancy and then while I was pregnant caused me to have an easier pregnancy (and they say it helps with labor as well, not to mention your baby will be healthier before it even leaves the womb). Do something good for your body each day. Tell yourself you’ll move your body for at least 10 minutes and chances are once you start you can push through to 30 or so minutes or if you really don’t have the energy, just stretch. Most of us are stationary or practice bad postures the majority of the day so help yourself out by loosening it up stretching. Another good tip is to do something while you watch a guilty pleasure. For example, I cannot watch RHONY (Real Housewives of New York for anyone that doesn’t know and if you don’t, good for you ha) unless I’m working out or stretching. Stretching and moving your body leads me to my next bullet point…
• Yoga- If you don’t current do yoga, start. Develop a yoga practice and your body, mind, soul will benefit. Your life will benefit. If you need someone to go to a class with you, I’m always here. Don’t want to attend a class? YouTube has a plethora of videos you can try out.
• Eat well- If there has ever been a time to eat well, it’s now. You are creating a life and that life is being sustained by you and what you put into your body. Eat clean (ditch the processed junk and add in more veggies, fruits, beans, etc. than normal). Some say that if you eat lots of broccoli, your baby will like broccoli. So if you eat lots of Twinkies then your baby will probably like those too. Any chance to help not have a picky eater is worth it to me. Again, your body, mind, soul and life, and in this case another human, will benefit from this. Let me be clear, when I say eat clean, I am not saying never have ‘bad’ food. I am talking about balance. Let’s eat better more often than not but sure, have the delivery pizza every now and then too. Make a healthy lifestyle, don’t be on a diet- now or ever.
• Hire a doula- She has helped us throughout this entire process but has really helped specifically this last little bit. It’s been very nice to have someone to contact who’s not a friend or family member (although I cherish those people deeply, especially during this time). She has an outsider insight with years of experience, yet is different than your doctor. She’s helped bring zen into this time of the unknown. Her energy is amazing. And even with all that being said and as much as we’ve appreciated her thus far, I know where she will really shine is during active labor, helping both me and Jeff get through it all how we hope to and with as much positivity and ease as possible.

• Likes: My incredible husband. Thank God for him. I knew he would be amazing during this time but the love, respect, kindness, excitement and support he’s shown, while hard to explain, has been beyond what I could have imagined. I truly don’t know how I would’ve gotten through it all or enjoyed it as much without him.
• Dislikes: Of course, that she isn’t here yet. But another thing is that I’ve realized that a hard part of this recently has been the fact that usually I know my body so well but this is all new for me. All uncharted territory so when usually I could say “oh, ____ is happening and that means ____” I can’t do that. I’ve reached to others for help navigating all this and what certain things may mean or what they may be signs of but as I’ve said before, everyone’s birth story is different and I really can’t take what happened to them as what will happen to me. It may or may not be similar. And while I’m happy to have help, thoughts, and wisdom from others, I really (recently especially) have learned that it’s probably best for me to just go with the flow and be in my own body and mind instead of trying to decipher every little thing with the help of others.
• What I’m looking forward to: Her being here already!
• What I’m not excited about: Having to wait much longer and more of the unknown. (But again, trying to just let it all be what it is.)
• Things that make me nervous: If we go in for another ultrasound and they want to induce. It helped that Jeff reminded me they can’t force us to do anything we don’t want to. Obviously I will do whatever is best for the baby but I have some trust issues with our medical system and I don’t want to feel rushed or pressured into anything but I’m trying to let go of that fear and be positive that it’s unfolding how it should and will continue to do so.

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Stay tuned for the labor and delivery story as I will update as soon as I can after we all get settled in! And please be sending prayers and good vibes our way until then!