This past weekend I fell sick with a cold. I was secretly terrified, because the last time that I had gotten sick, I had also worried about how horrible the baby growing inside me must be feeling if I‘m feeling this bad…and just a few days later, found out that the baby had passed.
Needless to say, this time around I diligently took kick counts and even busted out the fetal doppler (which I haven’t used since I started to feel the baby moving) a few times.
I’m feeling much better now and I’m less worried about the baby, who is currently happily kicking away as I type this. I have my monthly OB appointment this Friday, so I will ask him to check everything with extra thoroughness then.
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Yesterday was the official 2-month mark before my due date. That means that I now have less than two months to go! I know that most first moms go beyond their due dates, but I’m sincerely wishing that I deliver on time, or even just a bit early so that my small hips will be able to accomodate the baby.
My parents continue to bug me about my weight gain — they’re afraid that the baby will get too big and I will end up requiring a c-section. They also sigh whenever they see my swollen hands and feet. (Aren’t swollen hands and feet something that every pregnant woman experiences?)
“We’re worried about you. You’re getting too big! You need to exercise!”
“I can’t exercise. My hips hurt too much! I can barely get up without feeling like my hip bones are about to shatter…what makes you think I can exercise?”
“Tsk! Maybe if you exercise, you’ll strengthen your hips and you’ll feel better.”
“No, these are bone and joint and ligament pains. Exercising will not help.”
A few days later, they will have forgotten that we’ve had this conversation and they will start up again. Sigh.
Experts estimate that at 31 weeks, my baby now measures over 16 inches long and weighs between 3-4 lbs. She will now gain about half a pound per week (!) until about 2 weeks before delivery. Great! Even more weight for me to carry around!
As for me, I continue to have horrible hip pains, trouble breathing, and general discomfort all-around. I have not yet leaked any colostrum (some women do not until the baby is born) but my nipples have started to get dry and extra-sensitive, almost to the point of cracking. As such I bought a tube of Lasinoh Lanolin and managed to feel some relief. I also stocked up on a box of nursing pads just in case I do start leaking before the baby’s born.
Everytime I feel extra-miserable or want to b*tch and rant about all the inconveniences and discomforts of pregnancy, I tell myself that nothing in this world worth having comes easy. And it’s true — this pregnancy may be burdensome and distressing, but I still thank God every day for the little miracle growing inside of me.
