Weeks 31-32
We are getting closer, and I could tell because I was feeling big and awkward moving about. We started to put things together to pack a hospital bag, and discussing visitor preferences. We were also still catching up on our prenatal classes and busy at work trying to wrap up my old job to prep for the new role I accepted at 30 weeks pregnant. I also ran a mile, to prove I could, and received my second COVID Vaccine.
Joe and I had been debating the topic of visitors for a while. When is the best time to have them come, before the baby or after the baby?. We are somewhat torn. We have no family members that live near by, therefore they would all travel to see Baby B. We know having someone here would be helpful for Zoey the dog, and for general advice and support. We also anticipate I will labor at home for a while before going to the hospital and feel that might be awkward/uncomfortable with someone in our house. I want to walk around in ridiculous clothes, bounce on a birthing ball, pace in my house, count contractions, etc all over my house and not feel like I have an audience. My parents are are master parents and grandparents, we know having them around would be a major help and ease of mind. If something was going on they would know exactly how to take care of it, but we also want to figure it out on our own. I want to turn to Joe for support, but I think my default, I would turn to my mom. After all she has done this before five times over. Joe and I really want to gain the confidence we can do it on our own, make decisions and figure out how we want to do things before we get too much direction (which if offered we would gladly take). We ultimately decided that we would prefer my parents to wait 5 days to come. If it is killing them to not be here, they can obviously come, we do not feel that strongly about it. If we have more than one kid, my parents will come beforehand for those births. Joe and I want to take this first time to lean into each other and be present and attentive to each other and Baby B.
It was time for me to get my second Covid vaccine. The clinic ran smoother than the first time I received the vaccine. I went around 3pm, was vaccinated by 3:05, waited 15 min, and then was on my way by 3:25. I did not feel much when I received my first vaccine, just minor soreness at the injection site. This time was different. I went to bed and woke up feeling great. I was working and all of a sudden around 11am I started feeling sleepy and achy. By 5pm I felt like I was recovering from a major car accident. My whole body was sore. I didn’t want to move. Even my legs felt like I completed a marathon the day before. We already knew that I am dramatic and have zero pain tolerance. Being pregnant I was already feeling this week in particular like it was harder to be mobile and move around so this did not help. Joe is an amazing support person, basically at my beck and call so that I didn’t have to get up. Joe joked that if this is how I felt from a vaccine that I would definitely need an epidural as soon as possible with pregnancy. I went to bed early (7:15), had night sweats, and woke up feeling great. That was that! One day of aches I will gladly exchange for the peace of mind and protection this vaccine provides.
I have never loved my stomach. Despite major efforts, it has never been flat, I never sported abs, and I had been generally ashamed of that part of my body. Now, even though my stomach is bigger than ever I am finding love and appreciation for it. Baby B is kicking more and stronger everyday. This midsection that I have never liked, I now constantly touch, look at, take pictures of, and have come to love. It turned into a vessel for Baby B to feel safe growing in. It really is an amazing thing. Needless to say, I have a new appreciation for this body region that I have always rejected. 
Weight: 161 lb. It took two full weeks but I almost gained the weight back that I had lost in week 30 of pregnancy. I really had only gained 2ish pounds since before Christmas.
Symptoms: The GERD came and went randomly.
Acne -still a struggle and possibly getting worse.
Overall discomfort- at week 32 I was rarely comfortable. I was standing, sitting, laying, etc and it felt like no matter what I did I would just feel big, hard to move and awkward. By the end of the week I somewhat accepted that this just might be how it is from here on out.
Night Leg cramp – this really only happened once but boy did it catch me off guard and was painful. I now have sympathy for the soccer players I see limp off the field when this happens to them.
High Libido – this didn’t last long, as I was feeling really full constantly by week 32.
Workouts: Back on the Bike! After taking a week off during week 30, I was ready to get back to my usual rides. It was also really rainy and cold, therefore we were not walking Zoey after work regularly. There was one really nice day and it was so inspiring, I felt like running. I have not ran in months. I walked Zoey up to the top of the hill and took off on a jog, I wanted to try to run a mile. Well I ran a mile pretty slowly but I did it!
Food: I kept to eating really healthy breakfast and lunches but then sliding a little bit with dinner. Every time I was about to eat I wondered how I could actually cram anything more into my midsection. I had the sensation of being full, like my stomach didn’t have any room. However, my brain was telling me I was hungry. After a couple bites I would feel like I overate and was full. Even chugging water gave me an overfull sensation.
Doctors Visits: At my routine visit this week they asked all the typical questions, took the usual urinalysis, listened to the heartbeat(150), and he measured by tummy (30cm) and then asked if I had any questions. I asked questions and the MD sat and talked with me about them. I was frustrated about 5 weeks ago but it turns out I just need to ask questions. Typically at this visit I would get the TD shot but since I just received my COIVD vaccine recommendations are to wait to take any other vaccines for a month.
Money Spent: Joe and I were still working through our list of things we should buy before baby.
Crib sheets – We were gifted one crib sheet but we wanted to have another to switch out.
Hospital toiletries – We have not been traveling due to COVID therefore we didn’t have any on hand. Joe found this cute pack on Amazon.
Sleep: I was still sleeping well aside from the 2 times a night I would need to pee.
How did you plan for visitors? When they did visit what did you find helpful? What symptoms did you have in the third trimester? Did you ever loose weight? How did you feel about getting bigger? What make you feel most ready to have a baby?
