My Thirty-First Week

I'm now thirty-two weeks pregnant!  Crazy to think there might be less than 8 weeks to go now, or maybe not!

So, this week I got some of my physical issues addressed.  I called a chiropractor that specifically mentions dealing with pregnant patients on their website, and that I had heard about from a local friend that used them when she was pregnant, and made an appointment.  They got me in last week and addressed my areas of concern- mainly my right mid-back, but also had some suggestions for adjustments that could be done in the round ligament area and lower back to ease my pregnancy strains.  I actually have been lucky in this area and don't think I've experienced much (any?) round ligament pain that a lot of pregnant people talk about, but I'm happy to preemptively address it anyway, just in case.  The doc I saw said that with proper chiropractic care while pregnant, you can cut labor times way down and prepare the baby for proper positioning, which sounds good to me.  They are also in network in my healthcare plan, so I just pay a co-pay each visit, which is nice.

Another issue that I've been having on and off, that I forgot to mention in last week's post, is swelling.  I'm starting to worry about my rings, and know that one day I may have extreme swelling out of no where and have to get them cut off if I keep wearing them, like Victoria did!  I even went to Kohls and bought a cheapo "wedding band" that's about a size up that I can wear instead, so I've been only wearing my wedding rings sporadically (some days I don't seem to have swelling and decide to brave it).  The other thing I noticed was that I've been getting swollen ankles at night on and off.  Ok, let's just call them what they are- cankles!  Eeek!  Surprisingly, the chiropractor actually had a suggestion to address this issue (who knew that was something he could address).  He suggested taking an enzyme in between meals that helps break down the proteins that cause swelling.  So I'm going to give them a whirl.  He said his wife swears by them and has used them through all her pregnancies with success.

My husband's blurry pics...sorry!

I'm glad I got some of my physical issues addressed, and liked the chiropractor I saw.  He wasn't pushy at all, just had suggestions and also didn't make me feel like I had to be in there all the time, just when I felt like I needed treatment.

Honestly, at this point I feel huge.  I'm up about 27 lbs by my scale now, which is more than I thought I would be based on my slow to start weight gain.  I hope to stay in the recommended range of 25-35lbs gained, but I have no idea how the next 8 weeks will go.  I really just care that the baby and myself are healthy, so if I go a little over, I guess that's not a huge deal.  I'm just going to keep trying to eat healthy and move and see how it goes.

Heartburn was pretty raging this week and I think I'm on daily Zantac at this point.  It's rare that I go a day without the acid reflux, and it's especially bad at night.  Oh well, at least the Zantac works!

In other news, our glider finally arrived!  We went to pick it up and Greg assembled it the same night.  I'm going to try to start spending some time sitting in the glider reading every day now that we have seating in the nursery.  We also hung up a few final things, including some shelves on one wall, so the nursery is basically complete now.  I will probably wait til after my shower to show you guys, since the shower is at my house and everyone attending will be able to see it in person, but once the tour is done, I'll post pictures for you guys.  I can't wait for you to see it :)

I'm starting to think more about life with baby now, and started reading The Happiest Baby on the Block the other day.  I know I have to think beyond pregnancy and want to prepare myself for life with a baby.  If you guys have any recommendations for must reads for me in the next couple months, let me know.  I know some of you have already given me some good suggestions- thanks!


How far along? 32 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Mostly maternity, except for cardigans and really big stuff.  I also stole some of Greg's pajama pants this week because most of mine are starting to feel tight in the waist band!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Symptoms: heartburn, movement, back pain, feeling huge
Best moment this week: Completing the nursery!
Miss Anything?  Sleeping well, not having heartburn, running.
Movement: Yup, she is rolling around in there!
Food cravings: cookies, fruit, chocolate.  Mostly my normal diet these days.
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Have you started to show yet: Yes, duh.  I feel extremely huge.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No, thank god!
Belly Button in or out? Eh, it's sort of between flat and out.
Mood:  Good!  Thinking about life after pregnancy a lot.  
Looking forward to:  My baby shower, which is only about a week and a half out!
What I am NOT looking forward to: Feeling heavier, more tired, and more uncomfortable in the coming weeks.
Weekly Wisdom: Um, hang in there?
Milestones: We have entered the year in which my baby will be born!