Pregnancy update: 33 weeks
I skipped out on the pregnancy update last week because I had too many other things to post instead. At any rate, there wasn't much new to say besides the fact that I was still experiencing a lot of dizziness, nausea, extreme exhaustion, and all that jazz thanks to low hemoglobin and platelet counts, and multiple daily blood sugar crashes. After a number of weeks of this, it was getting quite taxing on me, but I dutifully kept taking my 25 or so different pills and potions, and continued eating like a horse and trying to get in those 80 grams of protein a day whether I felt like it or not.
Just a few days ago, I started seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Friday, I actually took a shower and got myself ready and got Kathrynne ready to go and walked half-way to the library and felt really close to good the whole time. I didn't "collapse" after the shower like I usually do and I felt so good that I had to call Jesse and tell him about it. Of course it didn't last for much longer, but the fact that it had lasted so long in the first place was a very good sign. The past two days, I've had more time of feeling "normal" than I have in a long while. I'm thinking coherently and having energy and drive to tackle a few things instead of just doing the basic of basics and then crashing for the rest of the day.
So, maybe guzzling all those pills and food is really making a difference? I go back in to be tested in two weeks, so I'm certainly hoping for some major improvement. Thanks for the many of you who have prayed for me and encouraged me along in this. I know many other people going through much bigger trials and this is so insignificant in comparison so thank you for the many of you who have taken time to pray for me and encourage me. God blesses me so very much through you.
In other pregnancy news, overall I'm feeling pretty well - no major aches and pains besides just the general uncomfortable feeling - and I'm still able to sleep rather comfortably, which is a huge blessing. I'm continuing to grow and grow and grow - outgrowing some of my maternity wardrobe and definitely looking bigger than last time around.
After I had Kathrynne, I saw some pictures of myself at nine months and was completely shocked at how huge I looked. I remember thinking, "I'm never going to let myself get that big again." Well, nice try. Don't ask me what I was thinking!
No more are people saying, "Wow! You're so tiny! I can't believe you're only X months along." No, instead I'm getting the, "Now, when are you due?" and "Wow! You're really getting big!" remarks. That's quite alright, though, as I'm nearing the finish line. I try to remind myself that getting bigger is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Even if I don't recognize myself in the mirror much anymore, it's for a very good cause.
I still can't believe it's getting so close, though. I should definitely have had this baby in less than 10 weeks and at this point 10 weeks doesn't seem like a very long time. I might very well change my mind on that, though. :) This pregnancy has most assuredly gone by more quickly, even if it there were weeks when it felt like it was dragging by. Is that how it has been for the rest of you - that your first pregnancy seemed the longest of all? Nine months is still a long time, but this time it hasn't felt like 19 months. However, I probably shouldn't speak too soon, as I remember that the last six weeks were what seemed to drag on for forever and forever!
Just a few days ago, I started seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Friday, I actually took a shower and got myself ready and got Kathrynne ready to go and walked half-way to the library and felt really close to good the whole time. I didn't "collapse" after the shower like I usually do and I felt so good that I had to call Jesse and tell him about it. Of course it didn't last for much longer, but the fact that it had lasted so long in the first place was a very good sign. The past two days, I've had more time of feeling "normal" than I have in a long while. I'm thinking coherently and having energy and drive to tackle a few things instead of just doing the basic of basics and then crashing for the rest of the day.
So, maybe guzzling all those pills and food is really making a difference? I go back in to be tested in two weeks, so I'm certainly hoping for some major improvement. Thanks for the many of you who have prayed for me and encouraged me along in this. I know many other people going through much bigger trials and this is so insignificant in comparison so thank you for the many of you who have taken time to pray for me and encourage me. God blesses me so very much through you.
In other pregnancy news, overall I'm feeling pretty well - no major aches and pains besides just the general uncomfortable feeling - and I'm still able to sleep rather comfortably, which is a huge blessing. I'm continuing to grow and grow and grow - outgrowing some of my maternity wardrobe and definitely looking bigger than last time around.
After I had Kathrynne, I saw some pictures of myself at nine months and was completely shocked at how huge I looked. I remember thinking, "I'm never going to let myself get that big again." Well, nice try. Don't ask me what I was thinking!
No more are people saying, "Wow! You're so tiny! I can't believe you're only X months along." No, instead I'm getting the, "Now, when are you due?" and "Wow! You're really getting big!" remarks. That's quite alright, though, as I'm nearing the finish line. I try to remind myself that getting bigger is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Even if I don't recognize myself in the mirror much anymore, it's for a very good cause.
I still can't believe it's getting so close, though. I should definitely have had this baby in less than 10 weeks and at this point 10 weeks doesn't seem like a very long time. I might very well change my mind on that, though. :) This pregnancy has most assuredly gone by more quickly, even if it there were weeks when it felt like it was dragging by. Is that how it has been for the rest of you - that your first pregnancy seemed the longest of all? Nine months is still a long time, but this time it hasn't felt like 19 months. However, I probably shouldn't speak too soon, as I remember that the last six weeks were what seemed to drag on for forever and forever!
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:32 AM
24 Comments:
Good morning, Crystal
Yes, for me my first pregnancy dragged along, but while the second did go a trifle faster, it had its own dragging moments as well.
I think chasing a toddler/preschooler around does help make the time less noticable. But the fatigue (I found) was worse, because I couldn't rest as often as I could during my first pregnancy. And I was *considerably* larger the second time around as well. (Ahem)
Hang in there, Dear. After all this is the easy part...the hard part will come when you have two to care for while recovering from child birth. ;-)
Your friend,
Denise Opper
Thank you for sharing with us. I am glad you are looking after yourself, it can't be easy when you have a young child as well. I hope you have a pleasant 11 weeks.
I'm about 10 weeks behind you at 23 weeks...this is my first pregnancy. Yes, it seems like it's taking forever! I'm due in September and it can't get here fast enough! I don't mind being pregnant though, now that morning sickness is over, and I'm enjoying the baby kicking now! :)
~Jordan~
Glad to hear that you are feeling lots better.Just remember to take it easy!!
Hang in there! The end is in sight. I can not relate to your pregnancy but I can relate to your feeling so tired. I have battled anemia since I was a teenager. Good days and bad. God bless you, Crystal!
Ruth, PA
I felt like my second pregnancy was going tons faster and better than the first one, that is up until last week! Now I'm almost 38 weeks and it's like every hour drags!!! I think that's mostly because I didn't have any significant aches and pains until last week, and now it hurts to walk, lift/carry my daughter, and do daily tasks. I think it's a blessing though that the Lord brings us to this point of desperation right at the end, so that labor doesn't seem daunting!
Good to hear you're feeling better. I'm so excited for you, Crystal. I hope the last few weeks and the delivery go smoothly!
I had a really hard time with the size also, but things to remember is that smaller is not always better. I am only 5 feet tall and slender, I guess you could say, and my babies were 7 lb. 14oz, 8 lb. 4 oz (2 of them) and 8 lb. 9 oz. The last three were biggest and in some peoples standards I barely ate, but when I did it was healthy. I had to remind myself if I ate the right things it would all come off afterwards. When they used to have women only gain 16-17 pounds they had so many more problems! I think with my biggest son (who was my second) I got more the comments of how big I was. With my last one I was told how small I was, I measured the same and gained about the same amount of weight, so it matters how you carry them also!
I hope the next weeks go well for you, I am glad that your energy levels are going up! Keep taking the pills and keeping your protein up!
Crystal,
It's exciting to hear your pregnancy updates--not too long now! I had my second baby three months ago so it's still fresh in my mind! I'm praying that you continue to feel better. I think I had a touch of anemia as well, since my hemoglobin was just barely the minimum of what it should be during pregnancy and I was constantly tired, nauseated, etc. If I have another baby, I'm definately going to research some natural supplements to help with that.
By the way, I know at this point it's not that "fun" to be in photos, but I would love, love, love to see some more preggo pics!:-) You always look so cute and we always think we look way bigger than we actually do. If you get a chance to post some it would be so neat to them them.
Keep taking care of yourself!
It will be interesting to see how big this baby ends up being since you mentioned you feel bigger this time around and I think you said that Kathrynne was just under eight pounds or so. It's funny, though, since I know someone who was pregnant at the same time as me and was about three times as big. She just looked HUGE and was miserably waddling around that last month---but her daughter was only five pounds at birth! :-) Another person had the teeniest bump and delivered a nine pounder. So you never can really tell!
Crystal:
Wow! You are almost there. Keep taking care of yourself. I thought the last few weeks would never end, then little one came 10 days early! He is 2 weeks old now and we are getting used to our new life. Look forward to hearing more updates from you!
I am glad that you are feeling a little better, Crystal. This is my first pregnancy where I have noticed so many blood sugar crashes. I just try to eat a piece of fruit or nuts when I get that feeling. I also get really worn out by my childrens' naptimes. I cherish the days when I can nap when they do. Even though I am eating well and taking care of myself, I am surprised at the fatigue, which I am experiencing. I will continue praying for your pregnancy and the birth of your little one.
My first pregnancy seemed to pass s-o s-l-o-w-l-y... my second pregnancy (last year) went by lots quicker because I was busy chasing a 2-yr old! But the last 2 weeks seemed to last forever- I kept waiting for contractions and hoping that every baby hiccup was "it"!!
Give yourself a little extra time to get the baby pounds off the second time around, too... it takes a little longer to "recognize yourself" again with baby #2 (at least it did for me). But if you take care of yourself while you're pregnant, it'll eventually come off. And, boy, does nursing ever help in that department... seems to pull the pounds off quicker!!
Now my "baby" is crawling around, jabbering, and will be turning one in just a few weeks... makes me wonder where all the time went after all!!
Warm Regards~
Kristy (natural mama)
Excited for you, Crystal! I hope that you continue to improve, low energy is no fun.
God bless
One more thing, I wanted to mention- I gained a lot of weight with both of my pregnancies (I am pretty slender normally) and it did all come off pretty quickly. And, you are right, it is for a good cause. : )
So glad you are feeling better Crystal! God bless you in this precious season of your life, and keep you and the baby healthy and safe :)
It seemed the second time around I gained more weight between each doctor visit. I didn't even get bigger than the first time, as many people say they do. In fact, I wasn't even in maternity clothes until I was close to seven months along! I couldn't understand it, since I was being careful of my diet, exercising, etc.-- even more so than I did with my first pregnancy. Where was all that weight going? I think all told I gained close to 40 pounds this last time and just under 30 the first time (my babies were both just over seven pounds at birth). It took a little longer for me to get the weight off with the 40 pound gain, but now my baby is close to four months old and I'm back into all my old clothes. It just takes a couple months and when you think about your poor tummy being stretched to the max more than one time, it's pretty amazing that are bodies even come lose to resembling what they used to look like! :-) Like others have said, nursing helps alot,too. The pounds melt away quickly and with a little exercise to tone the muscles again, that's all I've done for weight loss.
I enjoyed those last weeks of extreme fatigue during my last pregnancy because it gave me a chance to sit down and have one on one time with my son. Normally I'm an energetic person, finding it hard to sit still and always wanting to finish that one last job. It was so cute how my son would grab a blankie and come and cuddle with Mommy and his favorite books and we would have a special time together. I'm glad that I took advantage of those opportunities since now my hands are very full with two and it's hard to find those spare moments.
I just love to see pregnant women - it always makes me smile and I think they look beautiful. I love the "big belly" look. I just am so amazed how God made us and am so glad to have the priviledge of being a woman.
80 grams of protein is a lot! If you're getting sick of some protein foods you could try some vegetarian dishes to get some variety. If you eat certain foods together (like whole wheat pasta and beans) it makes a complete protein. You could try Ezekiel 4:9 cereal, too. They sell it in natural foods stores or some larger grocery stores with a "natural" section. 1/2 cup has 8g of protein. It would be good with milk and fruit or yogurt, etc. for breakfast or as an anytime snack. E-mail me if you want any more vegetarian suggestions.
I was sick of eating all the protein a pregnant woman's supposed to have, so I had to get pretty creative, thinking of new foods to add to my diet. I found raw nuts to be a good food for me, since it provided some natural sugar, good fat, and of course, protein. Have you tried lentils? Those are yummy mashed spread on wheat toritllas with a spoonful of salsa. Those are great for you since you get protein and fiber in one meal.
Please let us all get a peek at your growing tummy! You seem to really glow when pregnant, even though you are tired. I'd love to see your bump at this stage, since it's not too long now before the big arrival.
Hope you are feeling better these days. If it's any consolation, I'm not pregnant at the moment and feel completely drained already and it's only just after lunch. Help! :-) At least afternoon naps are coming up and then I can catch my breath. Be encouraged--I can totally relate to the fatigue as I battle anemia, too.
I bet you look so cute Crystal! You should post a "pregnant" picture! :)
Glad to hear all is going well, minus you feeling so tired all the time. I'm hapy to hear you have had some good feeling moments. :)
All my pregnancies have gone by fast I think. :) I'm now at 21 weeks with #5 and I can't believe I'm over half way now!!
Hope the next 10 weeks go well for you.
Please post a picture soon of your lovely bump! :-) It would be exciting to see the growth and changes that you've gone through since the previous picture you shared a couple weeks back. I'm sure you look adorable! :-)
I think I've looked the same with both my pregnancies, although with the second I gained more and the baby was a bit larger at birth. It seems to depend on how you are carrying the baby. Both of my babies flipped to be head down by the fifth month and stayed that way until delivery, so they were definately packed tightly inside, thus resulting in a smaller pregnant belly. Everyone kept saying how tiny I was, though I felt like an elephant! Does the midwife have an idea of how your baby is lying? Does she think it's a bigger baby this time? Perhaps you are just carrying more fluid.
I thought of one more easy high-protein food idea. Barilla pasta brand has a high protein pasta called Barilla Plus (yellow box). 1/2 cup before cooking gives you 10g. It's good with sauce, in pasta salads, whatever. We eat it all the time!
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