Third Trimester Diaries: Week 33 through 37

The last five weeks have been a bit of a blur and the third trimester discomfort continued to ramp up in ways I didn’t think possible. Pregnancy has been a journey of discovering that just when you think you’re at your pain or discomfort limit, you cross it and it gets more intense.

There’s also a bit of a disconnect between how I perceive myself physically when I’m just walking about and looking down at my belly and when I look at myself in the mirror. My bump is so much larger than what I perceive it to be but I don’t realize it unless I’m looking in the mirror. It’s very odd and the feeling doesn’t change. I still look down at my belly and think, “it’s not that large” and then I look in the mirror and I’m shocked. This happens almost every day, and I’m not sure how common it is. It’s like my brain won’t let me realize how big the bump is.

Baby’s movements have become so strong and surreal feeling in week 37. She is moving a lot and I’ve had what I can only assume are braxton hicks contractions. I’ve had a few moments of pain that have been startling and even some of baby’s movements have made me swear out loud as a limb presses sharply into my side. It’s quite bizarre and there’s nothing else like it.

A decrease in physical activity

My ability to keep physical has decreased significantly over the last few weeks. Week 34 was my last slow yoga class. When trying to lie on the bolster became uncomfortable, I checked out. Child’s pose was already teetering on difficult. I haven’t tried it recently, but I can’t even bend over to put socks on so I don’t think it’s physically possible for me.

That threshold I thought I’d reached with walks being excruciating was also crossed. The short loop I had been doing with the dog has now become even shorter. I don’t even call it a walk, I call it a waddle around the block. I am so out of breath by the time I’ve made it around and back to the house, I need to lie down.

I’ve been moving on the yoga ball and trying to stretch and keep my hips mobile that way. I’ve been slacking the last week so I need to get back on that while we’re watching a movie in the evening.

The lack of physical activity has been so difficult for me and really affects my mental health. I’ve been trying to keep busy with other things like knitting, reading, baking and cooking. When the sun comes out and it’s a lovely crisp day, I really try to get out not just for me, but for Vogue as well. I know she’s having a hard time even with a dog walker coming. I feel like she is more happy when we go out for a short walk than when she goes out for an hour with the dog walker.

Baby class

We went to a free baby class that was an all day affair. We had three segments with different specialists. It covered baby basics like feeding, changing, and bathing which was very helpful. There was a bit on breast feeding and soothing baby, as well as how to build strong neural connections. And then the midwife came in and went over labor, birth, what your options are with pain management and how things typically go once labor begins. It was all really informative and I also appreciated how each of them debunked information floating around on social media. There are so many people sharing information that is harmful for expecting mothers. It was nice to hear “ignore social media.”

Overall I left feeling a bit lighter about giving birth. I had my own questions based off experiences of friends in America, and the approach to birth by the midwives in the hospital I’ll be at seems much less stressful. I realized I had American expectations and fear based off those expectations.

It was a good experience, and the midwife who came in for the labor section was actually my midwife so we had a good conversation at my appointment the next day.

General prep

We picked up our stroller, car seat and accessories from Mamas & Papas at the start of the month, which was exciting. Due to superstitions, the stroller is currently at Jhey’s parents.

We ordered the final bit for the baby room, a dresser/changing station, which just needs to be put together and then I can finish organizing the room and put clothes away.

I’ve also been on a postpartum freezer meal prep tear, making lasagna, beef and broccoli teriyaki and breakfast sandwiches. We’ve also got a load of soups in the freezer and I will probably make some more things to freeze, I just haven’t planned out what yet.

Dreaded teeth problems

I have heard about pregnancy wrecking havoc on teeth. I have luckily not had any major problems until week 36 and even then I’m not 100% sure if it’s pregnancy related or not. I assume it is based off other women’s experiences. One of the crowns on a back molar just cracked and came off. The most annoying part was that it happened while eating something soft. Something didn’t feel right, so I ran upstairs to floss and off it popped.

It took me almost a week to get into a dentist and they glued it back on but it popped back off a week later. I’ve had a temporary crown put on, basically a soft covering so it doesn’t cut my mouth up. I won’t be able to get a new crown until after I give birth. I am missing American dental care at the moment. My dentist back in Seattle would be able to have a new crown in one appointment but it’s a two appointment affair here. I just hope I don’t have any more issues.

Maternity leave

I started leave earlier than planned. These last few weeks have become increasingly difficult for me physically and emotionally. I used up some of my vacation time to work half days and wrap things up at work. I stopped work this week, and I have been so tired. I thought I’d be a bit more antsy about not logging on but just trying to keep things tidy and do a little bit of baby prep leaves me exhausted.

Jhey just wants me to rest so when I hit a wall, I lean into it. Pushing myself right now gets me nowhere good.

I’m just trying to take things day by day but I have noticed I get restless in the evening if I haven’t done much. I’d like to bake some sugar cookies for Christmas and make some eggnog since it’s not something you can buy here like in the USA. Just trying to be a bit festive while prepping and resting.