// Pregnancy Diaries - v.3

The third trimester is a beast. There's no other way to say it. I was not really prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that came with these last few weeks. Up until this point this pregnancy has been pretty much a breeze. It's easy to look past the occasional "uncomfortable" moment when you compare it to just how awesome it is to experience this journey. But holy moly, y'all! The hormones! I can seriously just be sitting here doing nothing and break out into tears. If it makes me laugh, I'll cry. If it makes me sad, I'll cry. I've just been in a very heightened emotional state and I feel like I need to wear a big ol' disclaimer or warning on my belly so people just know to take me with a grain of salt as of late.
I know it can be a little "awkward" to publicly talk about crying and all that jazz, but you know what? It's real life. And right now it's a really big part of real life haha! Luckily after talking to several of my mama friends I've been reassured that the crazy hormonal fluctuations are totally normal and it's okay to take a bath mid-day just to sort of allow yourself a private and peaceful moment to cry. (Yep, those have been a staple lately...) And the real kicker? I have nothing to be upset over! I'm not sad or depressed or anything like that. I think it's just a mix of anxiety, fear, fatigue, etc. Everything is hitting my body all at once. It all feels so real but I'm trying to convince myself that I've got it all under control. Even some of my favorite songs from high school make me tear up uncontrollably. Unfortunately some short-temperedness has also come along. I'm trying to practice a lot of patience and not get too worked up over anything. Oh, mood swings! Gotta love 'em.

Lately I've been watching my blood pressure and being mindful of my general health. At my 32-week appointment I had a spike in my blood pressure and was then ordered to do some blood tests and a fun little thing they call the "24 hour urine." Yep... And it's exactly what it sounds like. You get to pee in a jug for 24 full hours! And keep it in your fridge! (I know, this post just got way too TMI. But again, it comes with the territory!) Despite being totally inconvenient and slightly embarrassing (I was convinced I was going to trip with it in my bag and spill it all over the place when I went back to the doctor... ha! Can you imagine?!), everything has checked out so far. I go back on Wednesday when I hit 34 weeks (!!!) so my doctor can say yay or nay on our Florida trip coming up on Friday. After we get back from Florida I'll go for a 36 week visit and get the news on whether or not I'm okay to go to Chicago for Susannah's wedding. Fingers crossed! I've been so stressed out and worried about the (terrifying) possibility of pre-eclampsia that I've totally made myself experience some phantom symptoms. I think I just need to remind myself that my body was meant to do this and that I don't have any reason to worry about the next 6 weeks. Y'all, this baby is going to be here any day now! Obviously I'm still working on the "calming down" part of it all...

In addition to the tidal wave of emotions taking over my body, I've also developed another fun little pregnancy symptom: The waddle. Oh the waddle! I can actually feel myself shift my entire body weight from one hip to the next as I walk. At this point I'm wondering when I'll just start rolling places haha And yes, random stranger in passing, I *am* sure there's only one in there... *eyeroll* haha

Everything at home has been smooth sailing though because luckily Toby is in hog heaven knowing that he gets to go to the beach for almost 2 weeks and that shortly after his baby brother will be here. It's basically all he can talk about at this point. We just have to make it through this work-week and we can unwind for a week and a half in the sun and sand. Bring it on!

Here's to hoping this little dude stays put until his due date, our vacation goes well, and I get to stand beside my best friend as she marries her long-time love. We've got a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks and I'm going to try and enjoy every single second of it. Sounds like a plan, right? Happy Monday! xo

18 comments:

  1. you are such a trooper. i adore your honesty on this blog :) please don't become JUST a mommy/baby blog afterwards!! i'll miss you so much if you do :( hahaha

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    1. ;) I have no distinct plans to become an "anything" blog. I'm just going to write what comes naturally. For a while it'll probably definitely be baby/mom stuff just because my entire life will be different, and I won't be doing all of my normal activities at first, so I hope you can understand/overlook it if it's not your favorite! Hopefully everything will balance out in the end though. This blog is meant to showcase the natural progression of my ~*journey. Starting out in NYC in college, seeing me through relationships and breakups, a marriage and now a family. I'm excited to see where it takes me next :)

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  2. I went through the urine thing. I was having catheters put in at least once a week to check for protein in my pee, too. I now have an intense hatred for catheters. Everything turned out fine, but I was put on bed rest at 38 weeks for high blood pressure. It's very common in pregnancy so hopefully you're in the clear for Florida!

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    1. Ah! That does not sound fun at all! I am *not* looking forward to that part of the labor process. So glad you got that precious little Noah from it all though! xo

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  3. I started getting fluctuating blood pressure at around 35 weeks and kept getting tested for preeclampsia but nothing. On the first day of my 38th week I went in to my OB in the morning, got the blood work / urine, nothing turned up. That night I started having severe back/side pain and ended up developing HELLP syndrome (the most severe form of preeclampsia). I had to have an emergency C-Section that night and luckily my son and I were OK, but my doctors never warned me of the symptoms that I had--they only said to watch for "headaches" and "blurry vision." If you feel any sudden and severe back pain, severe pain in your side/chest (I swore I was having a heart attack), or start violently vomiting regularly (I was doing it every 30 minutes) GO TO THE HOSPITAL! I felt these symptoms slightly a few days before I got sick and thought nothing of them because I had no idea what they were indicating. Take care of yourself girl, preeclampsia is not fun. Check your blood pressure twice a day and be proactive with your docs by asking questions. Now that I've probably scared you (sorry!) enjoy the rest of your pregnancy because life gets cray once they're here :-)

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    1. Oh wow that's so crazy! So glad y'all are okay! I've been monitoring my BP in the morning and evening and I've been really really paying attention to all the signs. I'll be sure to take all of this to heart, too! <3

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  4. My blood pressure spiked at 38 weeks and by my 40 week appointment, the little dude had still not made an appearance and my legs were super swollen so they put me on bed rest and ran tests to make sure I wasn't developing pre-e. I was so nervous about it but 3 days later, Ryder was born!

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    1. Pregnancy is so crazy! Glad he was born safe + sound!

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  5. I don't know if I've commented here before or not, but this seems like an opportune time.

    I don't like kids, babies, or even the idea of being pregnant, really (bear with me).

    That said, I consider myself a fairly empathetic person, and seeing someone wholeheartedly loving being a parent brings me no small amount of joy. I love the way you talk about Toby whenever he comes up in an entry, and I imagine Toby and baby interactions will proooobably make me cry a little... which is the reason I commented in the first place. I might not be under the influence of pregnancy hormones, but I definitely feel ya on the crying at every little thing! There are certain songs I just can't listen to with breaking down, hahah. At least you get to be done with soon enough, though!

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    1. Aw, thank you for the incredibly sweet comment! You made my day! <3

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  6. "the third trimester is a beast"

    AIN'T IT JUST.

    You're handling it exceptionally well, though, I think! I am crossing my fingers that you go into labor on exactly your due date and not a moment before!

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  7. Love this post!! I know exactly how you feel! The only thing is - that for me anyway - I am still a cry baby. I can cry over a baby ad on tv....guess it comes with being a mom:) Hope you get the go for Orlando & Chicago:)

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  8. Curious what part of Florida you're visiting. I'm a South Floridian but I doubt you'd want to make the trek all the way to 954. Either way, I hope you are able to take both your FL and IL trips and that the next 4 weeks are smooth sailing.

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    1. Ah I wish! I've never been to that part of the state! We're just going to Perdido Key (in the gulf). We vacation there basically every year :D

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  9. As a 19 year old college student with zero plans of children any time soon, I'm not sure what it is that's compelling me to these mommy posts. I get so excited when I see a mention of the baby or Toby (or Mike, love family time too) in your posts haha. I can just feel the happiness in these and it just makes me happy as well. Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy - you've got this!

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  10. Someone recommended Dr. Christiane Northrups, 'Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom' to me because she has some great tips and thoughts on pre-eclampsia. I delivered my son at 38 weeks by induction from pre-e. I didn't read the book until after I delivered but I'd suggest it to anyone with those potential factors. Wishing you all the best for a smooth delivery!

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  11. Hi Kaleah,
    I just wanted to say that it's wonderful seeing a young mother like you that reveals all sides of pregnancy (even the worst ones), it makes me think and realize what having a family should be like for girls of our generation. On august I will be the aunt of a baby girl, and my sister in law is an emotional rollercoaster too (for example, she wants to steal my boyfriend's turtle. I don't know why, but it's funny!)...
    A big hug!

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  12. Hi Kaelah, how was your medical results? I was a bit worried about the blood pressure thing. A friend of mine had to give birth at week 27 for pre-eclampsia, complications, and things went so wrong. I dont want to enter into details here, but please, take care with the blood pressure. She's now at home, safe and recovering. I had no idea about this kind of problems until now, and they could be hard as hell...so I'm worning every pregnant woman I know :)

    Hugs,

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB