Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Portrait of a Pregnancy After a Preemie: Part 7

You can't really see my bump, but you can see me having fun in CT! Pretty, pretty, isn't it?


"Are you hanging in there?"
asked my OB as she walked in the room this morning.

"Oh, absolutely!!" was my enthusiastic reply.

I'm almost 33 weeks pregnant now and feeling fantastic. I actually really LOOK pregnant now (though a few perhaps myopic people still like to tell me I don't look it) and I'm enjoying actually needing maternity clothes. I really never got close to this point with my last pregnancy so you better believe I'm just delighted to experience all the changes that go along with the third trimester.

My blood pressure was excellent (120/62) again today and my weight is holding steady at the "low end" of recommended gain. I'm perfectly happy with that!

My kids, especially my four year-old, seem to have a better concept of what's going on now. I still think it will come as a bit of a shock to them when we bring an actual BABY home next month, but, for now, they like patting my growing belly ("giving the baby five") and they giggle when they get kicked in the back while sitting on my (shrinking) lap. Because my check-ups seem to fall on Tuesdays, our 4yo son is with us for every visit. He gets a real kick out of hearing his new sibling's heartbeat!

The baby's heart rate was in the 160's today. Before anyone decides that definitely means we're having a girl, I should warn you that the doctor said this may be the busiest baby she's ever tried to pin down. I truly spend most of my day with my shirt moving all over the place. I really, truly though my other two were active babies. But this one? I'm not going to lie... I'm a little worried about what we should expect once he or she is born! :)

I feel great. Very occasional heartburn and a sore back if I sleep wrong. (I'm a back-sleeper normally and, at this point in the pregnancy, if I wake up that way, I can be a bit achy...) Other than that? I have to say that I feel healthy and rested and very comfortable. Our long car ride to and from CT didn't cause me any issues whatsoever. Did I need to get out and stretch periodically? Well, yes. But is that something to complain about? Heavens no.

Because I passed the 32-week mark, a couple of my restrictions have been lifted. That is certainly an indication that things are looking really good!

I go back in two weeks. I can hardly believe I only have a few more appointments until the big day. While I am excited to hold our newest little blessing, I am a little bittersweet about the pregnancy nearing the end. I've been so fortunate to carry this long and to have such smooth sailing. I plan to cherish these next weeks just as much as I can...
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I know a couple of my readers are also expecting babies. How are you feeling? I love to hear. Also, a big congrats to Crystal who welcomed her third baby and first son on May 6th... enjoy your precious new bundle!

2 comments:

Heather Benza said...

I'm so glad you are feeling so well and have made it this far! Your baby is probably already gargantuan compared to last time. I actually had to go out and buy additional maternity clothes this weekend as I've outgrown almost everything from pregnancy #1. I'm expecting to go another 6 weeks and 2 days, but I can not even fathom getting any bigger than I am now! Now that I'm on BP drugs, my resting heart rate is lower which has all but eliminated my shortness of breath problems--hooray!

Tara said...

Glad to hear you are feeling well! I'm starting to get a little more worn out, but no sign of PUPPPs this pregnancy :-)--which was a great annoyance last time.