5 Reasons to Call Your Doctor/ Midwife During Pregnancy

The vast majority of pregnant women have surly scoured the Pinterest posts and googled their hearts out over small insignificant symptoms. Google has a way to put the fear into us preggies over EVERYTHING. This is why I found it so helpful when my childbirth instructor gave us a small, simple list of the things you definitely want to keep an eye out for.

1. Flu Symptoms

The main thing here is dehydration can cause labor. Also, if you've ever had the flu you know what a crippling nightmare it is. Imagine pushing a baby out of your body while having the flu... No thanks! 

2. Bleeding

This could be a sign of placental abruption or miscarriage. Some spotting is normal during pregnancy, but I prefer the "better safe than sorry" approach. 

3. Any Sign of Preeclampsia 

Preeclampsia is SCARY. It is the taboo word for all expecting mothers. Knowing the danger signs are vital in momma and baby's health. It is more likely to develop in the second half of pregnancy and there is no cure. It is so important to notify your doctor/ midwife if you have any of the following:

     Persistent Headache: 
     If your headache just will not go away regardless of anything you do, call the doctor. This is a sign      of high blood pressure- a key indicator in preeclampsia.

     Swelling with Pitting:
     Any unusual swelling is also a warning sign. Pitting is when you push on your skin but it doesn't          bounce back as usual.

     Protein in Urine:
     Okay, so this is one your doctor/ midwife would find during one of your visits. At every                        appointment you should be asked for a urine sample specifically for this reason.

     Vision Floaties:
     If you see those annoying little floaties in your vision- call the doctor. This includes any bouts of          blurry vision and flashing lights.    

4. Any Sign of Labor Before 38 Weeks

Some signs of labor would include persistent back pain and consistent contractions. 

5. Decreased Fetal Movement

As you get to the 34/35 weeks mark it is normal for baby to move less often simply because they are so smushed in your uterus. However, baby should move 8-12 times in a two hour period. Usually these movements all happen within a short 5 minute span since baby sleeps and will move frequently once awake. 

That's it! I hope none of these happen, but it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for possible complications. Let's not obsess over the possible negatives though! Enjoying pregnancy and being a healthy, happy baby carrier is all we can do. Knowing the warning signs is good to keep in the back of our minds at all times though. 

Happy Gestating!

29 Weeks Pregnancy Bumpdate

Typical Stuff

Picture from Babycenter

According to my Ovia app: baby is the size of a Hawaiian pineapple! The womb is running low on space so movements will be much more defined this week. Baby may also weigh almost 3 lbs! Whatttt, how crazy! Baby is putting on some chub in order to help keep herself insulated upon delivery. 

The third trimester is kind of funny. For example, getting that last item on the bottom shelf at Target may not have been a huge deal a couple months ago, but now it's a whole ordeal. First, you have to do this super attractive squat/ bend motion just to lower your body to the ground. Then leaning toward the prize (in this case: L'Oreal mascara) while holding onto your shopping cart (or as we say, "buggy" here in Georgia) for dear life. Once the item has been grasped, you begin the journey back up. This is when I usually drop whatever it is and give up, but that's okay. You have to laugh it off!

On a total side note, I felt the baby have hiccups for the first time! I was wondering when I'd finally feel them since it is something people mention often about their pregnancies. Yep, Sunday night I felt the little repetitive jolts for about four minutes. It was so cute!

Symptoms

Nesting

Finally! It has begun! These past few days I have gone through more boxes than I care to admit. Why all the boxes, you ask? Well, we moved into our house! Two years ago... oh boy. Don't judge! Life got busy. It has felt so great to get rid of the junk I know we don't need. Getting organized has been my heroine this week.

I have gone through our closet and chosen items of clothing my husband and I haven't worn in years for donation. A few are bridesmaids dresses so I may try selling those, but otherwise, Goodwill it is. Yay, donation tax write off!

In this whole "declutter and organize" process I have found myself making a mess. But it's a productive mess! For example, a ton of my bedroom's belongings are sitting in the hallway because I shampooed the carpet. To my husband, I'm a destructive tornado. But it's okay... I know by the end of this it will all be PERFECT! (Wishful thinking..?)

Acid Reflux 

This has been a fun one. I've had it for a few weeks now, but this week has been a whole new level. Almost every time I lay down I end up puking in my mouth, even if I haven't eaten in a while! Tums have been helping a bit; at least I like to think so. I find it happens more often if I am eating regular size meals rather than small meals/ snacks throughout the day. My stomach can't handle it anymore, I suppose.

Swelling

I didn't expect to be one of those swollen pregnant women simply because I had made it 28 weeks with none. What was I thinking?! My body is carrying WAY more blood than usual and creating a human life. Plus, it has been in the 90 degree range for two weeks now. Least to say, the feet have gotten steadily more veiny, more red, and slightly puffy. My ankles still seem fine, for now, as do my hands (sometimes they get more veiny, but rings still fit).

Back Pain

This one I've been having since the first trimester; however, this week has been pretty brutal. I'll start cleaning and very quickly am in so much back pain that I have to take a break. The way I described it to my husband was as if somebody was trying to pull my back apart from the hips. Sounds fun, right?

Sciatica 

I seriously can't move when this happens! It only happened briefly (under an hour) twice this week, but it's not fun. I really think swimming and butterfly stretches helped with this!

Favorites 

The dark chocolate chunk kind bars! Ahh, they're heaven. I always try to keep one stocked in my purse since I turn into a hangry bitch without warning. Plus, they're easy to grab without having to do any sort of time consuming prep work. Another bonus, all the natural ingredients make me feel like I'm doing my baby a good deed when I eat (ahem, devour) one.  

Swimming! This hot weather has been pretty awesome in regards to pool days. I find that swimming has helped me get some cardio without overheating. Also, it helps keep strain off my abdomen and lower back. I noticed after an hour of swimming/ floating in the pool a huge relief in my back pain.

Midwife Appointment

So my last appointment was Friday, exactly on my 29 week gestation date. The nurse who measured me said, "oh! You just look small. You're measuring exactly 29 weeks". This was such a relief to hear! I've been pretty on track this whole time, but literally EVERYONE comments on how tiny the bump is. I'm sure that will change in these upcoming weeks though. 

I discovered I have slightly flat nipples which could present an issue when it comes time to breast feed. My midwife said they aren't completely flat, but mostly. I may have to start the baby off with a nipple shield in order to extract the nipple better, then feed her normally. I am really hoping this doesn't present huge hurtles with breast feeding since it is so important to me. 

Childbirth Classes

This one is sooooo exciting to me! Wednesday was my first class (which I ran about 15 minutes late for, uh). I love the instructor and the easy going feel to the whole class. It's very discussion based. 

The location is in this older warehouse type of place (which I love) and the inside is very aesthetically pleasing to the eye: high ceilings, string lights, a plush rug, and comfy seating. Am I the only one who does better in a well decorated environment..? 

Anyway, we discussed basic things such as the anatomy of a pregnant woman, the five warning signs to go to the hospital for, and pregnancy do's and don'ts. That last part I found very interesting. For example, we talked about how alcohol is quite stigmatized in America. Apparently, women in Europe drink moderately throughout their pregnancies with no side effects. The rule here was, "drink like a European woman, not an American frat boy". Then we got into the research behind fetal alcohol syndrome and how it cannot be properly researched since it would be unethical to submit the test group of womens' pregnancies to the possibility of fetal alcohol syndrome. Really nobody knows how much is "too much" alcohol. I am still staying away from the wine, but it is nice to know this information!

I may do a post on the five signs to go to the hospital for which we covered in class. (:

Weekly Bumpie 

Baby was laying weird when I took this. The bump is not round here! Oh well. 

Happy Gestating! (:

Fetal Movement Bonus Video!

Sorry for the bad quality. She's so active in there though!

27 Weeks Pregnancy Bumpdate

Typical Stuff

Photo from babycenter

Baby has reached her second viability milestone! This is due to the development of her lungs. Every day it becomes more and more real!

According to my Ovia pregnancy app: she is the size of a bunch of bananas, can hear more clearly thanks to cochleae development (the spiral part of the inner ear), and she weighs just over 2 lbs!

I will now be visiting my midwife every two weeks! It's so unreal how close we are... ahh! I've already drafted a birth plan with the hubbster, but I feel we should get more concrete ideas put into it pretty soon. I want to make sure all the midwives look over it and give feedback before I say it's "ready". 

Oh yeah, and it's the final countdown (cue Europe soundtrack). I consider week 27 the beginning of the third trimester! There is some discrepancy whether this is the last week of the second or first week of the third, so I'm going with the latter.  

Sleeping

Ha. Ha. HA! Sleep? What are this? (yes, I just made a Jenna Marbles reference). Last night I literally slept 3-4 hours because baby girl was shifting, kicking, and moving into the early hours of the morning. Also, the sheer pressure I have in my body at this point makes it quite difficult to get comfortable regardless of her movements. So, there's that. 

I don't want to seem totally negative though! Pregnancy naps are the BEST! It's like crack for the soon-to-be momma. Yesterday my nap was literally heaven. No shame in taking a long nap when you're creating a human life with just your body. Go team uterus!

Doctor Appointment

So I did my glucose test- JOY! I was supposed to drink the damn thing in five minutes but it took me eight. I typically drink only water so the sugary substance I was forcing down my throat felt so foreign and was unwelcome. Once I summoned my chugging capabilities I'd acquired in years past, I finished. Soon after came the sudden realization of "I think I'm going to puke". That was fun. So was having diarrhea at the doctor's office, which was a listed side effect on the bottle. 

Finally, the nurse comes to draw my blood. It is 11:58 on a Friday (they close at 12) so I know this woman must have been ready to go home; I would have been. She did not seem in the best of moods (which is fine, I don't require cheery happiness from everyone I encounter). However, I do require my nurses to not blow my veins when they take my blood. This blood draw hurt like a you-know-what. The rest of the day I couldn't straighten my arm all the way due to the soreness- uh. 

Also, my husband pointed out once the needle was already inserted into my arm there was a tiny bit of air in the syringe which she pushed into my body, then drew back to take the blood. So, air in the vein (I know, it wasn't a lot) but I mean, really?! Obviously everything is fine, but it's not something you necessarily want to hear. 

In case anyone was wondering, I asked one of my nurse friends about this. He said a little bit of air isn't going to do anything. It'll just reperfuse right back into the tissues. He said you just don't want a big air bubble getting into the blood stream because that's when you have an issue with stroking out or having a heart attack. So, little bits of air is okay! (still... kind of scary). 

Also, I was under the impression they would perform the Rhogam vaccine (for the negative blood type) at my appointment, but now I am holding an outpatient order to have it done at the hospital. I'll do it next week... even though I really would rather not. I'll be an adult, I suppose. 

Bathing Suite Shopping

Husband/Wife Pool Day!

Sun glasses, SPF 70, and towels; pool day here we come! This all came to a crashing halt when I couldn't squeeze my much larger ass into ANY of my bathing suits. So, we head to Target, my second home. The retail hotspot that brings me boundless joy. My life. (I'm exaggerating... I think). 

I tried on a few things (some that fit... some that shockingly didn't) and decided on a two piece since the only tankini's I could find were suitable for only those above the age of ninety. I am content with my selection, I just hope I don't have to go up another size before we go to Florida in a few weeks!

Itching Status

SO. MUCH. BETTER. Last week my doctor advised I take Benadryl for 24 hours to see if it affected the itching. It definitely knocked me out so I'm not sure so much if it helped with itching; however, I discovered the problem. Dry, flaky patches were developing all over me! I was only putting lotion on in certain areas once a day. I've upped it to at least twice a day and I lather it on everywhere! I refuse to itch like that again. Good news, it was nothing serious. 

If anyone else is having this problem: make sure to use mildly warm water when showering, apply lotion EVERYWHERE throughout the day, and avoid harsh soaps and fragrances. 

Random Thoughts 

So I definitely feel the need to go buy a work out ball (pregnancy ball... whatever they're called). AND I really should start doing my kegels. Why don't I do one of the most simple and easy exercises known to woman? I DON'T KNOW. Don't judge. 

On another note, we are waiting until post baby shower to buy anything we will need for our little girl's eminent arrival. This is proving to be SO difficult! I just want to have her little room set up completely. But, I shall be patient. 

Symptoms

MORE discharge. Yesterday I seriously thought I could possibly be leaking amniotic fluid. But, no. Being pregnant just makes you excrete an abnormal amount of (for lack of a better word) vagina juice. That's not disgusting at all, right..? 

Leaky nipples have been a thing. As well as increased exhaustion. I think it's just because sleep has been more difficult to come by at night so my day time activities have a haze of sleepiness tinting them. 

Baby girl is kicking SO much more. She really likes to push her limbs as hard as she can into my side. It's so uncomfortable; mildly painful. At the same time, I think it's the cutest thing she does! Usually she'll do it if I've been driving for more than thirty minutes. 

Just Wondering...

When does baby usually turn head down for good? I feel like she is usually either sideways or head down.

Also, our midwife is suggesting the whooping cough vaccine for my husband, myself, and anyone who will be around baby often. Is this something I should be worrying about and asking family to do? I wasn't thinking so, but our midwife really stressed it. 

Weekly Bumpie 

Happy Gestating! (: