This week, I spent Thanksgiving in Maui with my sweet family. We spent a full week in one of my favorite places in the world and it was much needed as our last family trip as a family of four. During our time on Maui, I definitely feel like baby dropped thanks to a 4 mile hike that we did through the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail. I ate pancakes every single morning with no regrets! And we enjoyed our Thanksgiving at a traditional luau. The kids had a blast as we went to the Maui Ocean Center, saw Moana 2, went snorkeling at Molokini, hiked to see the Haleakala sunrise, swam in waterfalls, and so much more.
How far along? 34 weeks
Baby size: Canteloupe
Total weight gain: 30lbs – 158lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? YES! I feel like my belly is huge so maternity is the most comfortable outfits now. Even small t shirts show my under belly.
Stretch marks? None that I can see but I never got them before.
Sleep: Sleep is tough. I get up to pee 7 times a night and trying to get comfortable is not easy.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Appetite is still not as high as it usual was. Not many cravings to share. I do get full easy now which is nice.
Best moment this week: Taking the kids to Maui for Thanksgiving. It was a great time to connect and make memories before baby arrives.
Miss anything? Being comfortable LOL.
Food cravings: Not much at all.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No. However I have had random bouts of nausea here and there-nothing too big though
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: My feet and ankles started swelling this week and my blood pressure spiked which was iffy. But things are fine. Still dealing with pain at my upper ribs and feeling like I cannot breathe though I do think baby dropped a bit on our trip.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
Not a lot going on this week besides getting ready for our Thanksgiving in Maui next week. Lots of packing and planning our to do list since I am beyond Type A! Hoping travel will be easy on me at 8 months pregnant. I am feeling very uncomfortable with my big belly and its wild to think I still have 7 weeks left before we meet him. Even sitting is uncomfortable! Baby is so active though and we cannot wait to see him.
How far along? 33 weeks
Baby size: Pineapple
Total weight gain: 29lbs – 157lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? YES! I feel like my belly is huge so maternity is the most comfortable outfits now. Even small t shirts show my under belly.
Stretch marks? None that I can see but I never got them before.
Sleep: Sleep is tough. I get up to pee 7 times a night and trying to get comfortable is not easy.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Appetite is still not as high as it usual was. Not many cravings to share. I do get full easy now which is nice.
Best moment this week: Packing for our Thanksgiving trip to Maui! The kids are going to be so excited next week when we go. Other than that, I hustled to get work done before we leave for the week.
Miss anything? Being comfortable LOL.
Food cravings: Not much at all.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No. However I have had random bouts of nausea here and there-nothing too big though
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: Heartburn is actually better this week as I have not had to use my TUMS much. Back aches, belly aches. LIGHTNING CROTCH! Feels like he is trying to tunnel his way out. I have to pee 8 times a night.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
This week we had an OB check up and I found out why I have become so big so early! I have too much amniotic fluid in my sac and I feel like a beached whale! My son is measuring two weeks ahead but my due date is still the same so we will see what happens. It was a great but busy week with the kiddos. We are ready for little guy to arrive!
How far along? 32 weeks
Baby size: Jicama
Total weight gain: 28lbs – 156lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? YES! I feel like my belly is huge so maternity is the most comfortable outfits now. Even small t shirts show my under belly.
Stretch marks? None that I can see but I never got them before.
Sleep: Sleep was not so good this week as I dealt with some insomnia and waking up super early.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Appetite is still not as high as it usual was. Not many cravings to share.
Best moment this week: We had a doctor appointment this week with an ultrasound and saw little man. He is measuring two weeks ahead and already weighing in around 5lbs estimated. His head is also apparently really big! HA. He got that from his daddy. He was super shy as usual but from what we can see, he looks like he has my nose and his dad’s lips. I do have an excess of amniotic fluid so the doctor told me to lay off carb heavy meals. This is called Polyhydramnios which is just an excess of fluid in the sac. This is probably why my belly grew so big so fast! Its sooo uncomfortable.
Miss anything? Not having to pee all the time. Not having my back hurt! Ouchy I feel gross these days. I went to the chiropractor this week for the first time this pregnancy and hardly anything popped! I need to go more…
Food cravings: Not much at all.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: Heartburn is actually better this week as I have not had to use my TUMS much. Back aches, belly aches. LIGHTNING CROTCH! Feels like he is trying to tunnel his way out. I have to pee 8 times a night.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
This week was a busy but uneventful one so there is not too much to say. I packed the kids’ bags for our Thanksgiving trip and cleaned up around the house. It does feel like the nesting stage is starting to strike a bit early as I wanted to clean more than usual. But I did feel really tired at times. My son moves around in my belly constantly and I am having to pee tons! Otherwise, I am feeling really excited that we get to meet him soon! We are enjoying our last few weeks as a family of 4.
How far along? 31 weeks
Baby size: Coconut
Total weight gain: 27lbs – 155lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? YES! I feel like my belly is huge so maternity is the most comfortable outfits now. Even small t shirts show my under belly.
Stretch marks? None that I can see but I never got them before.
Sleep: Sleep was better this week. Thank God for my Clone body pillow.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Not super hungry but have been eating a small bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats at night as a snack.
Best moment this week: We started our ornament Christmas arch this week! It looks so good and I cannot wait to share it. I have always wanted a fancy arch and am thankful I have a hubby who was able to turn my visions into reality. I am going to go all out this year! Its our last Christmas as a family of 4.
Miss anything? Not having to pee all the time. Not having my back hurt! Ouchy I feel gross these days. I went to the chiropractor this week for the first time this pregnancy and hardly anything popped! I need to go more…
Food cravings: Not much at all.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: Heartburn is actually better this week as I have not had to use my TUMS much. Back aches, belly aches. LIGHTNING CROTCH! Feels like he is trying to tunnel his way out. I have to pee 8 times a night.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
I am officially 3/4 of the way through my third pregnancy and I cannot believe it. I am definitely FEELING it though as things have gotten so uncomfortable. I feel like this is the biggest Ive been so soon in my pregnancies! We do get to see him on ultrasound in a couple of weeks so maybe we can get a weight estimate. This week was a blast with the kids, trick or treating and having some fall fun. I will be busy packing for our next trip over the next two weeks which is super exciting! I just hope I feel well enough to travel so far. Part of me wonders if this little man is going to come early. With that being said, we do not have a lot planned for Christmas besides getting ready for this baby boy to arrive.
How far along? 30 weeks
Baby size: Cabbage
Total weight gain: 26lbs – 154lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? Anything comfortable these days so yes lots and lots of maternity. My belly feels HUGE!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Not the best. I feel like I am tossing more as I sleep with 3 pillows to stay comfy. Getting out of bed is tough.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Diet has been cleaner this week, I feel like! Then again I am not super hungry anymore. I did indulge in some Halloween candy! This baby does like sweets.
Best moment this week: Taking the kids to Halloween events and trick or treating with them. My daughter was Megan, my son was a devil, and my husband and I were Deadpool and Lady Pool. We also went to the Pensacola Interstate Fair.
Miss anything? Not having to pee all the time. Not having my back hurt! Ouchy I feel gross these days.
Food cravings: Not much at all.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: Heartburn is actually better this week as I have not had to use my TUMS much. Back aches, belly aches.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
When I first wrote about Kinesio taping during my last pregnancy, my blog post went viral. I decided to use these methods with my current pregnancy since they worked so well last time. If you are aching during pregnancy from carrying extra weight, your back and belly will love these taping methods. I even included a kinesio taping technique for your diaphram to help you breath when baby is pushed to the top!
So first things first-what is kinesio tape?Kinesiology tape, also known as KT tape, is a therapeutic elastic tape used to support muscles, joints, and tendons. It is commonly used by athletes and during injury recovery, but anyone can use it… especially pregnant women! You can find some on Amazon here.
How does this help you to feel better exactly, though?This tape facilitates the body’s natural healing process and range of motion by providing support and stability to muscles and joints, improving blood flow, reducing pain and swelling and controlling inflammation. Think of it as a drug-free pain alternative.
So it works for pregnancy pains? When it comes to pregnancy, KT tape can actually work a lot of wonders. First and foremost, it can help hold up a heavy belly which eases back, belly, and pelvic discomforts. You can also tape your belly for diaphram relief allowing you to finally breath better in the late stages of pregnancy. It works similarly to how belly bands work-just a fraction of the cost. However, over time. KT tape can add up, but it does stay on for a good while luckily.
Here are 7 techniques for applying or using KT tape or kinesio tape during pregnancy for the ultimate relief. Using kinesio tape is very tricky at first and hard to apply. Please allow your physican, chiropractor, or PT to show you how to apply and use the take before attempting it yourself. For some of the techniques, you may have to cut the strips in half-it is very trial and error, but find what best works for you and your pregnant body. Make sure your skin is dry and clean before applying so that it lasts longer. To remove, use baby oil on the strips to gently loosen the adhesions.
KT Tape Technique #1: BELLY BELT
This kinesio taping technique helps in lifting the lower belly. It is useful when you’re having round ligament pain due to the pressure applied on the pelvic floor or if you are having lightning crotch pain.
Measure and cut a single strip. Round the edges of the tape.
Anchor the tape in the middle of the lower belly.
Next, pull both ends of the tape upwards to lift your belly. Then, attach the ends and the rest of the tape securely.
Rub the tape to activate the adhesive.
If you need to, you can get a second strip and repeat.
KT Tape Technique #2: FRONT SLING
The front sling kinesiology taping protocol is great in giving your belly frontal support. If you feel as if your abdominal muscles are about to split, its a good one to try.
Prepare, measure, and cut two strips of kinesiology tape.
Anchor the two strips at the bottom. Then, pull the two strips upward before applying the rest of the tape on the skin, and securing it under the breasts.
KT Tape Technique #3: BABY BELT
This method is great for ladies who feel their lower belly is sticking out quite a bit, making them feel front heavy. This will help lift the baby part of your bump upward.
You will need two strips of tape.
You are going to form an “X” at your belly button, starting at the bottom above your hip bones.
While pulling the tape across your belly, you are going to make sure you pull firmly in order for the tape to hold your belly in place securely.
KT Tape Technique #4: MAXIMUM SUPPORT
This is moreso a late stage of pregnancy technique from when you are feeling discomforts from all over and your bump is getting quite large. it does assist in most pains-back, belly, and pelvis.
You will use 4 strips for this fix.
Start at one hip – you will apply your tape and pull diagonally across your belly button up to the opposite ribcage.
With a second strip, you will do the opposite side the same way.
Next, you will take a strip and apply from bottom up on each side of your navel. Remember, you want to firmly attach at the bottom and pull upward to anchor at the top above your diaphram.
KT Tape Technique #5: BACK & BELLY SUPPORT
As indicated in the name, this kinesiology taping protocol is meant to give support to your belly and lower back.
*You need another person to help you with this application since it is a hard-to-reach area.
Prepare, measure, and cut two strips of kinesiology tape.
Take the first strip and have someone anchor it to one side of your lower back. Then, stretch the rest of the tape before applying the rest of it to the lower back.
Take the second strip and stretch the middle of the tape without any stretch on the ends. Apply the middle part of the tape first then firmly pull each of the ends upwards before securing the tape in place. After doing so, your belly should feel like it’s being “lifted”.
KT Tape Technique #6: FRONTAL BELLY SUPPORT
This fix is perfect for the ladies who feel like they’re about to “burst” open, only feeling discomfort in the front and lower abdominal regions.
You will use two strips.
With your first strip, you will start at your pubic line and pull upward, attaching the end of the tape right under your diaphram.
With the second strip, you will start at one end of your lower belly, above your pubic line, and stretch it across. With smaller ladies, you might need to cut your strips in half for this one.
KT Tape Technique #7: DIAPHRAM SUPPORT
This is perfect for when baby gets so big that they push up into your diaphram and you feel like you can hardly breath!
For this fix, you will use one strip (some of you smaller ladies might have to cut a strip in half) and firmly attach and hold at one end while pulling across to the other side, focusing on pulling downward. The point is to bring the top of your belly down to ease your diaphram.
And there you have it! Which kinesio taping technique helped you the most during your pregnancy? Feel free to share that or any other taping methods not listed here that can help other pregnant ladies.
Important: Please talk to your Chiropractor or healthcare provider to discuss if kinesiology taping is appropriate for you. Also, be sure to notify your practitioner if you have sensitive skin, or better yet, test it on a small patch of skin to ensure you aren’t reactive to the tape adhesive. Once your kinesiology tape has been applied, your practitioner will give you instructions on how to preserve the integrity of the tape while showering, bathing and dressing.
Disclaimer: The advice provided in this article is for information purposes only. It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Consultation with a chiropractor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem. If you are not experienced with using kinesio tape, do not try this at home. Instead, allow a physical therapist, chiropractor, or medical doctor show you how to apply the tape for use at home.
We are nearly 3/4 of the way done with this pregnancy! Its been flying by and before we know it, I will have a little baby in my arms! We have the nursery ready to go and I have packed my hospital bags as of this week. The last thing that there really is to do is to install the carseat, but we wont do that until 4 weeks to go. This week we did not have the kids so I caught up on a ton of work, worked on my pregnancy fitness app program, and did a private pasta making class with my husband which was a ton of fun. I cant wait to get the kids this weekend because we will be doing Halloween events and dressing up with the kids again this year.
How far along? 29 weeks
Baby size: Spaghetti Squash
Total weight gain: 24lbs – 152lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? Mostly! Lots of loungewear too. I SWEAR this is the biggest my belly as been this early on..
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Having such strange dreams.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Diet has been a lot better this week! Less sugar intake.
Best moment this week: There was not really an aha moment this week. I caught up on work, got an oil change for the GTR, had couple’s therapy and therapy on my own. Actually! There was one SUPER fun moment that I loved. I went to a private pasta making class with my friend Cali and husband. I got to make fettuccine noodles as well as sweet potato gnocchi! It was the best time and I think I would like to make my own homemade pasta often.
Miss anything? Not having to pee all the time.
Food cravings: I am not craving a whole lot of specifics anymore. I feel as if I am not eating much.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: Still having lots of heartburn and feeling him get stronger. Starting to feel super uncomfortable while seated as if there is no roon.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
Before you read this post, I have something to share. If you’ve not created a baby registry on Amazon, it’s something I recommend anyone having a baby. They have just about every product, handle returns perfectly and best of all, you get up to 15% off items that you purchase from your own registry!
This is my third time packing a hospital bag and I can tell you that its a LOT LESS than what it was with my first labor and delivery experience. With my first baby, I thought I needed to pack the kitchen sink-and the moon and stars while I was at it. But to be honest, I did not need a whole lot at all. The second time around, I packed a lot less. Now? It’s a bit less but I know EXACTLY what you truly need to bring to the hospital. Use my guide and ignore the extra fluff so you can enjoy this special time even more. So lets just get right to it, shall we?
FOR MOM
Hospital Bag: This time around, I got a duffel bag and I chose this cute one from Caden Lane. You will need a large bag to pack your goodies. Sure, a suitcase does fine too!
Nursing Pillow: If you are planning on breastfeeding, a nursing pillow is a good idea to pack along as it can help you position your baby the right way for easier feeding. I got mine from Snuggle Me.
Postpartum Girdle: Every delivery, I have packed my Belly Bandit BFF postpartum girdle. It has so many benefits and basically helps to shrink your uterus back down to its original size helping to get rid of the mommy tummy. I also included the Hip Bandit in there as well. Its my little secret. Use code SIA for 15% off all goods here.
Comfy PJs: I always wear comfy pajamas home from the hospital. I dont feel like wearing anything that constricts and you wont either! Get you a nice pair of soft, bamboo pajamas because you deserve it. I got mine from Cozy Earth.
Robe: I packed a bamboo robe from Caden Lane that matches my son’s knotted gown I have packed for him. It allows me to be comfy for the time after delivery and easy access for showering and feeding my new baby.
Cute Hospital Gown: I love packing my own delivery gowns because hospital gowns are too rough and dont fit well. I got mine from Pretty Pushers. This one allows for epidural sites to be easily accessed and for the tummy area to open up if needed. I packed a secondary hospital gown to wear after from Kindred Braverly because I will likely get stuff all over the first one!
Comfy socks and panties: Hospitals are cold so make sure you bring some nice fuzzy socks. Comfy panties are a must as you will be wearing the biggest pad every after delivery from bleeding so much. The roomier the panty, the better. Think granny panties that you dont mind getting possibly ruined.
A Nursing Bra: This is a no brainer. Find a good supportive nursing bra to wear after you give birth and for the ride home. I chose a nursing bra from Kindred Braverly because their bras are always so soft and cute.
Flip Flops: This may be optional for some, but I do not like showering in the hospital without a pair. Its just for sanitary reasons. I typically wear flip flops home from the hospital with my pajamas anyway.
MISC ITEMS
Medications
Pineapple Juice (great for breastfeeding mamas to boost milk supply)
Snacks (oat bars are great for supply-I like the KIND brand)
Tech goods (to keep you entertained for two days)
Lip Balm (dry lips are common due to not being able to drink prior to delivery)
Toiletries
Your own pillow and blankets from home (because hospital beds suck)
FOR BABY
The great thing about hospitals is that they typically give you everything that you need for baby while you are there. This includes wipes, diapers, hats, onesies, blanket, and sometimes even pacifiers.
Diaper Bag: One might argue that baby does not need their own bag yet, but you will eventually need a diaper bag when you get home so why not start now? Pack baby a bag too. We love the Ju-Ju-Be brand.
Fluffy Blanket: The hospital will give you a blanket but its thin and not so soft. Therefore, I have a fluffy blanket to receive him in as soon as he comes out and gets clean so he can get warm and acclimated to being out in this world. Plus, its cute for photos! Caden Lane has an amazing selection of baby blankets!
Swaddle: A swaddle will help your baby sleep a little more peacefully as they adjust to being out of the belly.
Carseat: The baby will need a carseat so that goes without saying but in the panic of things, you could forget! Especially if baby comes unexpectedly. This should already be installed into your car 4 weeks prior to your due date. But I always bring mine in the hospital to buckle baby in and carry baby out for the first trip to make sure they are secured correctly. We love our Doona carseat.
Knotted Gown: I have a knotted gown and hat for my son which will be his first photo outfit. I like the knotted portion because it will keep him warm while easy to change. I got his outfit from Caden Lane.
Name Sign: The name sign is not a huge biggie, but if you are planning on announcing and showing off your baby from the hospital, go the extra mile and make baby a wooden name sign to show the world who they are! I got mine from Caden Lane.
Going Home Outfit: The going home outfit is from Caden Lane as well. I love that site!!! They have a ton of personalized goodies for babies. Its going to be cold in January so I got him a sweater romper with his name on it.
Beanie: Hospital beanies are not the nicest so I got him a beanie with his name on it from Caden Lane to match his sweater romper.
Diapers and wipes of your own: That is, if you are picky and do not want to use the hospital’s. Otherwise, disregard and save money from using the hospital’s stash!
Pacifier: This may be one to skip as well. but your baby may be picky with what type of pacifier they like. Just bring one just in case because your diaper bag needs it anyway! We are trying these pacifiers out first.
FOR DAD
Lastly, don’t forget to pack for the dad to be. He will need the least amount of items but depending on how far away your hospital is from your home, it could be more than usual. Here are my top items to pack for dad in his backpack so that he can stay entertained and ready:
snacks because hospital food is mehh
a good magazine or two
a good book (things may take a while)
cash for vending machines
a warm hoodie and joggers
a handheld game console or ipad
his own pillow and blanket from home
basic toiletries
And there you have it! Make sure you pack your bag at least 4 weeks in advance as you just never know when your baby will make their grand appearance. If I missed anything, feel free to comment below and let me know what you packed or did not need!
I am 28 weeks pregnant and its so hard to believe that I have officially hit the third trimester already! This pregnancy has been my fastest yet. It definitely feels like the home stretch that is for sure. So much so, that I have a few items that have helped me to survive the beginning of the third trimester and that I will continue using until the very end.
Belly Bandit V-Sling
As weird as this thing looks, this was a lifesaver for me during my second and now into my third trimester! It wraps around your hips and fastens below on the crotch area to help secure your pelvic region while uplifting a heavy growing belly. Therefore not only does it help with back and belly pain, it helps ease those nasty lightning crotch feelings, too. Click here to grab one now and use code SIA for a discount!
Fitness Ball
A fitness ball is a must have in the third trimester because sitting down can feel really umcomfortable. A stability or fitness ball can help your body feel a little more at ease and also you can use one to do various exercises in the last few weeks of your pregnancy to help turn baby into the right birthing position and help induce labor! Here are some great exercises that you can do with your fitness ball at how to help induce labor.
Kindred Braverly Undies
I am OBSESSED with these panties from Kindred Braverly. They are so comfy as my belly grows! They are called the Bamboo Maternity & Postpartum Hipster and are perfect for even postpartum ladies. The bamboo fabric makes them oh so soft and breathable. No wedgies or rolling down your baby bump! They also feature other types of undies including a pair that grows with you!
Clone Cooling Body Pillow
So I have had many maternity pillows in my life, but not any like THIS one. Ok so its NOT an actual maternity pillow per say, BUT its a cooling body pillow. I have never had a cooling body pillow until this one from Clone Pillow. First off, it is heavy FYI. BUT it does the job as its filled with cooling gel on both sides and its adjustable. I highly recommend this pillow and skipping all others.
Epsom Salt
Into the third trimester, aches become a normal thing. I love soothing in a warm bath filled with lavender Epsom salt. I prefer the Dr Teals brand due to its aromatherapy, but I am sure there are many out there. I use a cup per bath and soak for 15-30 minutes.
Prunes
Constipation is also the normal thing to experience in the first trimester. Being super constipated can actually cause hemmorhoids in late pregnancy. So I carry around individually wrapped prunes to snack on while also storing prune puree (baby food) and prune juice. It seems to do its job!
This week was so busy but a good one. Upon landing from our Phoenix trip, we picked up the kids and hit the ground running. We got to see little man and spend some time with him on ultrasound. I am officially in the third trimester and its mind blowing how fast this has gone by. I feel like I have only been pregnant for a minute. We will be relaxing for the rest of the month until our big Thanksgiving trip next month. I need to organize the nursery, pack my hospital bag, and make some freezer meals before he comes! I will blog all that of course.
How far along? 28 weeks
Baby size: Eggplant
Total weight gain: 22lbs – 150lbs total weight
Maternity clothes? Mostly! Lots of loungewear too.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Pretty well but vivid dreams have started again. I have heard this is common for the third trimester.
Workouts: Going steady and well!
Diet: Diet has been alright but I am still eating too much sugar! I need to stop going to the local ice cream store so often.
Best moment this week: My kids got to see their little brother on ultrasound this week as we had a one hour independent ultrasound at Living Images. We got to see little man hiccup and move around and even drink fluid. It was the cutest thing. We saw lots of hair on his head which would explain heartburn, pretty and pouty lips, and it still looked as if he had my nose. He also has attached earlobes like his father and me. The sonographer said I had a lot of fluid in my belly which explains why my stomach is so big. It was a fun visit! Other than that, we had a nice beach day this week and even fished at the Okaloosa pier. The weather is starting to turn cold so we are finishing up the last bit of summer fun before its too late.
Miss anything? Not having to pee all the time.
Food cravings: I am not craving a whole lot of specifics anymore. I feel as if I am not eating much.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Gender: a BOY! 🙂
Labour signs: No!
Symptoms: Feeling like he is so high in my ribs already that I cant breathe lol. Mild pelvic pain, definite back pain. Heartburn. Lots of kicking! I am feeling more tired now.
Belly button in or out? In! It never popped out the last 2 times.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Notes:
I found out I was pregnant at just 3 weeks of pregnancy after we did our frozen embryo transfer. If you haven’t followed my IVF journey, check out my frozen embryo transfer blog and my egg retrieval blog. Long story short, my husband was infertile due to the structure of his reproductive system-his vas deferens were missing so IVF was the only way and it worked the first try!
I have not been pregnant in 8 years almost so it is wild that I am doing it all over again and hope to do it only fourth and final time in another two-three years. Wish us luck and love! I will be doing these pregnancy progression bump updates weekly so you can “grow” with me along with a bump photo + questions about my pregnancy.
