Hello third trimester! That is the latest word from my doctor’s appointment today. In essence I am saying hello to the next 2 months of pain and misery. The first trimester you constantly feel like you have a hangover and you could fall asleep at any moment during the day, then you move to the second trimester where your energy comes back and you are feeling pretty good for a few months. Then, all of a sudden, everything seems to fall apart from the moment you enter the third trimester. It just sort of smacks you in the face!
As I have written in several previous blogs, I knew my back and heartburn were going to be my biggest hassles. And boy have I been right. Last week, BB obviously kicked a nerve or something because I have been walking around like I need total hip replacement for the last 7 or 8 days. Not only have I picked up the 3rd trimester “waddle” that develops at about week 29, but I also slightly resemble a western cowboy who looks like they may have ridden a horse to work rather than a car. Trust me, it isn’t a pretty sight and does nothing for my ego!
Now people no longer wonder if you ARE pregnant, instead they look at you with severe sympathy and say “how much longer do you have left?”. They know that you still have more time than you would like to talk about and are hoping that you will say that you are 10 days overdue – because then the misery on your face would match what you look like walking around.
I have to say, the second time around I feel MORE pregnant at 7 months than I did the first time around. My doctor just explained it as your body is just more stretched out this time and you did add 2 more years to your life between pregnancies. I guess that is a nice way of saying I have turned into old flabby mamma! Just another great thing to think about as you are trying to maintain some dignity!
Dr. Sharp did recommend that I see a physical therapist for my hip pain so I have never been happier to be referred to another medical practitioner for additional care! Maybe it will allow me to stop carrying my heating pad around in my purse (alongside my 100 count bottle of TUMS). I’m going to see if I can’t set up an appointment before Harper and I leave next week to fly back to VA and TN for a visit. It might loosen up my muscles just enough to get me from Salt Lake to Knoxville without having to request wheelchair access.
Other than my hip pain and heartburn, I am otherwise very healthy. I put on an additional 5 lbs between this month and last month. So, now I have officially gained 20lbs. Not bad considering the amount of food that I eat on a daily basis! My blood pressure is still good and BB is wild as ever in my tummy. Matter of fact, Matt and I laughed as we were waiting on Dr. Sharp today because it looked like I had an alien inside me. You could literally see him moving all around – non-stop. I know he was enjoying the 20 oz of pure sugar that I fed him just before my appointment since I had to drink that yucky substance for my glucose test.
The only other news from our end is that I upgraded my VW Jetta to a VW Passatt last week on a whim. Matt dropped me off at the dealership to pick up my car after it had been serviced and I jokingly told him that I was going to trade my car for something bigger. He laughed and said “I dare you.” You would think he would have learned by now that you should never dare a pregnant woman who is shopping deprived. Since I no longer find joy out of shopping for clothes, I obviously have a great deal of pent up needs. So, 2 ½ hours later, I drove home in a 2007 black Passat that was LOADED with all of the extra amenities that any mom with 2 kids in the backseat would need. I only increased my payment by $50 per month. Plus, the added bonus is that I had a great deal of equity in my Jetta and decided to use the extra amount to fund my maternity leave rather than putting it towards the new car. As many of you know, I am taking the last 6 weeks of my maternity leave unpaid because I do not have enough time accrued. So, I feel like I just won the lottery. A new car AND money to fund my entire 6 weeks that I am going unpaid. Haven’t you ever heard that pregnant ladies are good luck. I guess we are a lot like Buddha – just rub our tummies and small miracles might occur!
