34 Weeks

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Yeesh. It's funny how fast time is flying by these days. I'm waiting for the day when I wake up and feel completely preggo miserable consistently, but I've been pretty lucky so far, and it seems to go in spurts. I had hoped to post a big update at week 32, but that week turned out to be pretty horrible, and emotionally, it completely drained me. I suppose I should start back there...

I had my regular MD appointment that Monday, and when she took my measurements, she muttered a "hmmm" - not a noise you want coming from your OB. She told me that according to my measurements, the munchkin wasn't growing on track, so they wanted me to get an ultrasound to check. Well you can tell yourself a thousand times over that you're sure that everything's fine, but it really doesn't change the worry and panic you feel, and I felt both. When I called the ultrasound unit the next day, they first told me that they couldn't possibly squeeze me in for 4 more days. I politely informed them that I am a hospital employee and that if they had any cancellations before then, I could make it work to run up there. They had a cancellation that afternoon, and according to the ultrasound, Baby was smack dab in the 50th percentile for weight, now head down, and has hair. After breaking out in full out sobs for the previous 24 hours, I had a few tears of relief. It drained me for the rest of the week, though. That Saturday, I was running with my bud Haley who has been kind enough to slow WAY down just so we can get in a chatty run now and then. We were out for a 7 miler and had just hit the turn around when I hit a lip in the sidewalk and biffed it. I didn't see it, and neither did Haley. Luckily, I landed on my hands and knees and then did this pseudo-roll to the side. My first thought was embarrassment, and then I remembered I'm pregnant. My MD had warned me that if you fall after 24 weeks, it basically buys you a 6 hour admission for observation. I felt fine (just a little skinned up and embarrassed), but I knew that running home could be really stupid, so we called Steve to come pick us up and walked a half mile to wait at the next stoplight. He drove us home, and I called the Labor and Delivery Unit. I explained that I hadn't hit my belly but had fallen pretty hard and was worried that I could have hurt the placenta somehow. I didn't know if they would just tell me to rest for a couple of hours and monitor Baby's movements or if they'd want me to come in, but after they talked to the MD on call, they told me to come up. Luckily, the 2 mint chocolate Gus I'd eaten right before the turn around had the munchkin all fired up, and he/she was moving so much on the monitor that they let me go after only an hour or so of observation. I was warned by so many people this winter to be careful, and I never even slipped while running. Now that the sidewalks are clear, I need to remember to pay close attention to my footing! In talking to my friends, I was amazed to find out that most of them have fallen during pregnancy. One tripped over her dog, one slipped on the stairs, and another one fell on some ice. Hopefully this will be my one story.

I had another regular checkup a few days ago, and my measurements are back on track. The good news is that everything's still looking OK. The bad news is I'm headed for an 8+ pound baby. My MD told me that the biggest predictor of my baby's size is how big I was when I was born. Considering I was just an ounce shy of 9 pounds, I'm hoping she's wrong :)

So an update on the rest of life...

I'm still running. I can't run 9-10 miles anymore. Four to seven is now a long run, and seven takes so long that I only do that with company and a lot of Gu. For as much as I've been cursing the crappy MN weather this spring, I have been secretly happy that I'm not overheating on my runs. If we were having 85 degree days right now, I'd be toast. It's also nice to be able to sleep with our bedroom window open at night. Being a little chilly and actually being able to stay under the covers has been helping me sleep a little better.

The baby's nursery is almost complete. We still have a few items that are "must haves," like our changing pad, but for the most part, we've got all of the essentials. We've got the bedding all on the crib, pictures on the wall, and clothes washed. We have the car seat. We just need to put it in the car. Baby's and my bags are packed, and I've been stockpiling TP, paper towels, and anything else that I don't want to have to leave the house for. I've also been going a little crazy buying diapers. The coupons have been great lately, so I figured I'd better stock up while I still have a full paycheck. Next on the agenda is making some food to freeze to cut back on the need to cook for the first few weeks.

I'm still gaining weight - way more than I ever thought I would during pregnancy, but my MD is reassuring me that I'm still in the normal range. Still, as we get closer, I'm realizing how much work it's going to be to get this off. I've always been at a very average weight and have been up or down 7 pounds or so but never really had to try to take it off. I just have to trust that my philosophy of listening to my body (and breastfeeding) while making sensible food choices will eventually bring me back to fitting into my old pants - even if it does take a while.

I'm still biking on my trainer 1-2 days a week, but even the super squishy seat gets uncomfortable after an hour. I may have to use the recumbent ones at the Y for these last few weeks. Plus, I'm getting really sick of Coach Troy. At least with a recumbent, I can get through a few chapters of a baby book or catch up on a magazine.

I miss racing. I went to the Falls Duathlon to cheer on Steve and Matt this weekend. I miss being out there. I miss biking outside, and I miss being able to get my heart rate up in a way that doesn't involve simply going up our stairs! That being said, I am now signed up for what will likely be my last race while pregnant. The TC one mile is May 12. It should be fun. Steve was registering me and asked whether I wanted to be in the "friends and family" wave. I think I just looked at him astounded that he would even ask. I think most of those folks will beat me!

I have been having some SI joint pain in the last few weeks - likely from those ligaments relaxing. I know it will be even worse after Baby's born, and one of my good friends who specializes in women's physical therapy suggested this belt. Although I haven't worn it while running yet, I have worn it afterward a couple of times, and it feels like a miracle. Running and even standing in one place for a while both make that joint sore. It kind of feels like the stiff, achy feeling I get in my hips and knees after a long run. Just thought I'd pass along the info if any of my fellow preggo or post-preggo friends are looking for one.

It's funny how, especially as a healthcare provider, I've been so focused on hitting certain milestones that it never really occurred to me that I may be pregnant until almost July. That reality is starting to set in. Physically, being pregnant has been way easier than I thought it would be. Sure, I've been tired and my back hurts sometimes. I've had more than one day of feeling particularly chunky but have overall been OK with the way my body has been growing our baby. Lately, lots of friends have been telling me how much they miss feeling baby kicks. I've realized that I really need to savor this time because it will be over soon, so that's what I'm trying to do!

Finally, a picture update so you can agree that my belly, and the rest of me for that matter, is definitely growing!


Ignore the cankles... They're not terrible, but taking the pic at the end of the day didn't help...

22 comments:

Richelle

I think you look fabulous!

My fiance and I will be at the TC 1 Mile. Maybe we'll see you and Steve!

Kim

looking so great pharmie. so glad to hear BS (baby stenzel) is doing super... and wowzers, 8+ pounds!!! holy heck!

Dan Isaacs

Pharmie, are you testing your BP regularly? My wife had pre-eclampsia @ 37 weeks. getting ahead of that if it affects you will be better than being behind it. :)

Michelle

You are doing great!!!! The big day is soooooo close!

Unknown

You're getting so close! :) You look fantastic and I love hearing that you are still working out. So glad that you and the little one were alright after the fall. I'm sure it had to be scary. :(

rokupic

Don't worry about the weight gain. It will come off faster than you can imagine after the baby is born. I dropped almost 40 pounds without trying just by carrying the baby everywhere and breastfeeding. And since you're an active person, you will easily lose the weight. Don't stress about it.

Do enjoy these last few weeks. You look fantastic and are doing all the right things!

Amber

I fell down the stairs when I was 30-something weeks. Landed like a dog on my hands and knees. Kiddo kicked up a storm, I cried out of fear, but didn't even call the doc. Hopefully that is your only one!!

I think the fact that I was running in Texas summer heat was a big part of why I quit running at 34 weeks. I am so impressed at your 7 miler, way to go!!

The weight comes off, albeit slowly. I haven't really done any serious dieting, nor super-strenuous exercise in my 7 months post-partum, and the weight is slowly but surely falling off with moderate exercise and a general awareness of what I'm eating. It will happen for you. Don't worry yourself over it.

And do savor those kicks. When I got my epidural, I broke out in tears just after because I realized that I'd never feel the baby kick again. Only time I cried in the entire L&D process!!

Christine

Don't worry about the weight! With my first one I was pretty active (although not as much as you) and the pounds melted off within weeks! I was amazed at how quickly I went back to myself (less than 8 weeks). You'll be just fine!

Robyn

Don't worry about the projected baby size. Ultrasound is notoriously inaccurate for estimating size. Besides, you're not likely to grow a baby that's too big to get out! Your body is capable of amazing things (you KNOW that more than most pregnant women), and this is what it was made to do.

Kimberly

You look amazing! And good to hear mom and baby are good. I've fallen twice and the second time, I managed the hands-knees-roll technique. It must be instinct!

Melissa

Hi Pharmie. I've been a reader for a while :-) You look beautiful with that bump!

So good to hear the baby is growing and at a good size. I can relate to your fears with the size scare, my daughter (she's 9 months now) was small and I had growth USs every week for the last 8 weeks. The first few were always so nerve racking. And it stinks that they tell you something and then make you wait a few days to get more information.

Anyhow, I just wanted to comment, say "hi" and congratulations. You are amazing with keeping up an exercise routine.

Happy early Mother's Day!

Heather

You look great, glad things are going well and you are still able to keep so active. I fell when preggo too - managed to slip on the ice and fall UNDER the truck. :)

RobbyB

You're still running?! That's awesome! I hope the kid doesn't get Steve's shin/ankle problems. ;) You might want get working on the form right now!

Cara

I'm glad everything is ok! I know how helpless and terrified you can feel when there is a scare -- especially two back-to-back!

I worry about the weight, too, even though I've been through it before and lost it all quickly. I feel like I'm gaining too much and that this time it is going to take more work to get it off. But it will. For both of us. :)

THANK YOU for posting about that belt, too! I am really struggling with back problems, and this sounds like just what I need. I'm definitely going to try it!
Good luck in the next few weeks!!!

Alili

I am SO impressed with your activity level this late in the game! You are doing great! Big babies are a piece of cake. ;)

UK

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Jennifer P

Holy smokes - I could never stay on my feet while I was pregnant. I was constantly falling down. The worst was when I fell down on top of my wind trainer on the way to a bike workout and I busted the trainer. Seriously - how does that happen!

You look fantastic and the time is flying!

Lani

Don't forget to pack TP for the hospital. The stuff there is industrial strength and trust me after giving birth you want the softest tissue you can have :)

JenC

I gained 42 pounds during pregnancy and it was all gone within 4 months. I even raced an Olympic distance triathlon at 4 months post baby. It seems to me that us active gals are more likely to put on weight, but we are just as likely to take it off quickly. There is no doubt in mind that you will be fine. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Enjoy the last few weeks of quiet!

SteveQ

I'm tired, my back hurts and I'm feeling a bit chunky, too. Wish I had an excuse as good as yours!

I never thought about the frequency of falls among pregnant women, but I'd assume the ever-changing center of gravity would HAVE to be a problem.

June 11th is only a month away!

Smithers

Don't worry about the weight -- if you nurse...it melts off! I seriously eat two breakfasts every day, and I am still losing the pounds (only THREE more till my pre-preggo weight!).

You are amazing and I can't wait to see your little peanut. Keep baking that baby!

Amytrigirl (aka Amybee)

Hey Sarah!

You look great and I am so excited for you and Steve! I'm glad your little spill was not an issue...and that you are still out there "doing your thing".

Look forward to seeing you soon!