Pregnancy Update: Month 9
today is actually my ‘guess date.’ i say ‘guess date’ instead of ‘due date’ because obviously (so very obviously) babies are born when they are ready and not when a doctor or ultrasound tells you (giving birth between 37-42 weeks is perfectly normal). i made a very conscious choice not to reveal this arbitrary date and when people ask me when i’m due, i simply said ‘the end of august.’ now the end of august has arrived so um…i’m antsy. i will say it’s been slightly less pressure for me and helps a bit with the disappointment that can happen when most first time pregnant ladies go passed this date.
so here is my 9 month update!
HIGHLIGHTS
- the joint baby shower i had with my sister (and being completely spoiled by everyone)
- alison coming to visit me!
- my husband being home for the past few weeks!
- not going into labor during my husband’s ironman!
cassie rosch
LOWLIGHTS
- feeling very frustrated that i spend 1-2 hours every day trying to get bavery into the optimal fetal position for birth and she isn’t budging (but thankful she’s not breech – more right posterior)
- i no longer look forward to crawling into bed because i know i won’t sleep soundly and it will cause me pain in my hips
- i was really thinking she would be here by now and we would be one of the lucky ones that has her before her ‘guess date.’ my husband has been home for 3 weeks and we thought we would get to be playing with a little baby by now
- i have been experiencing bouts of depression and hoping this isn’t indictive of postpartdum depression to come
STRANGE/INTERESTING FACTS
- full term is considered 37 weeks, which is such a relief once that week rolls around!
- at this point, the baby’s brain continues to develop and she continues to add fat to her cute little body but otherwise all systems are go!
- only 3-4% of babies are born on their ‘guess date’
- only 10% of women experience their water breaking as the first sign of labor
- the biggest part of the baby’s body is her head, but her skull isn’t yet one solid piece, allowing it to compress during labor so she can squeeze through the birth canal
- by week 40, babies average 6-9lbs and 19-22 inches long
- all those ‘eat this, do that, try this’ to induce labor really only sort of work if your body has already started the process (but that hasn’t stopped me from eating pineapple, trying spicy foods for lunch and walking at least 3 miles a day)
SYMPTOMS
- turns out i’ve been experiencing symphysis pubis dysfunction for months and let’s just say – it’s horrible
- swelling – because of the heat my fingers and feet swell pretty much daily
- my knuckles are weirdly constantly swollen
- lots more braxton-hicks
- my gums are oddly even more swollen, it’s weird
- some increased irritation as well as bursts of energy, which is where the ‘nesting’ comes in
belly pics!
AVERSIONS
people asking me why she isn’t here yet or that ‘it looks like you’re having a boy.’
CRAVINGS
i had one of my most intense cravings at the beginning of this month. i seriously spent 15 minutes contemplating whether it would be appropriate to wake up my husband at 3:15am and ask him to go get me cran-raspberry juice. the crazy thing is – he totally would but i refrained until a reasonable hour.
MOVEMENT
i can still feel her lots! you should still be able to feel your baby moving even in the last month however when they are in the right position, it should feel like swooshes or turns. i, however, can still feel her feet kicking my left side because she is still slightly posterior. yes, i’m still doing spinning babies for 1-2 hours a day (throughout the day).
thankfully she isn’t breech but she needs to be facing my back and right now she is facing my side, which can make for a harder birth. we will continue to work together to spin, baby spin! my midwife assured me that she should eventually move just fine but it may not be before the contractions start because they help to move baby around.
we have also practiced baby wearing with the amazing assistance of sugar!
WORKOUTS
way way way harder this month. thankfully my husband has been walking with me and we have this gorgeous *free* garden (hudson gardens) along the trail near our place. we have walked there a few times and it’s quite calming and nice.
MISSING ANYTHING
- breathing deeply
- hard alochol because i want a margarita
- sleep
- not having heartburn
- hugging my husband without a beach ball between us
LOOKING FORWARD TO
- to my birth! since i am going the natural route at a birth center, i feel very calm, confident and empowered by the whole process! #oxytocinhigh
- to see what this little girl looks like!
- having our parents meet their first grandchild
- watching my husband become a dad
as i mentioned previously, i will of course update the blog but my first route of announcement will be on my instagram! thanks everyone for following along on my journey of pregnancy, it has been (and continues to be) quite the adventure! positive vibes appreciated for a great birth!
want to not do whatever you are supposed to be doing and read about my earlier month progression? i have you covered:
Elyse@JustMurrayed
August 31, 2016 at 10:03 am
Sending you positive birthing vibes! You totally have this – whenever she decides to make her appearance! You also look amazeballs for your due date!
Elyse@JustMurrayed recently posted…Travel Bucket List
Courtney {Alkeks Abroad}
August 31, 2016 at 11:28 am
Those gardens are so pretty! I think Bavery isn’t ready to come yet because she’s still getting in just the right position. ☺️
Courtney {Alkeks Abroad} recently posted…Bridge to Brisbane 2016
Penny'
August 31, 2016 at 11:36 am
You r amazing and I have enjoyed reading ur posts. I am sure you are looking forward to meeting ur little girl and we r all looking forward as well. She will come when she is ready and not a minute before. I spoke with Ann on Monday and she is looking forward to being s great grand mother as well and looks forward to seeing you all at the holidays. I and all ur followers look forward to lots of pictures.
Amberly
August 31, 2016 at 11:49 am
I think it looks like she’s dropped in your 40 week bump picture! I will keep my eyes on social media for the good news and hope she arrives soon! But like you said, babies have their own idea. I know that better than anyone right now….
Audrey
August 31, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Ha, I like the procrastinating enabling 😉
You seriously look like you just put a beach ball under your shirt- haha! You wear pregnancy so well! I’m sure baby ws will come at just the right time!! Can’t wait for that announcement via IG!!
Audrey recently posted…What I Read… August 2016
Nina @ Hugs and Lattes
August 31, 2016 at 12:42 pm
Gosh I feel so involved in your pregnancy just through all of your updates. I’m so excited for you guys! You know what worked for Rachel when she was overdue with Ross’s baby. . . I really hope you watch Friends or the reference is useless. Here’s to hoping you have your little girl in your arms before the weekend is over!
Nina @ Hugs and Lattes recently posted…5 Strategies for When You’re Overwhelmed
Vivien
August 31, 2016 at 1:10 pm
I have heard from others that a woman’s first baby is generally born later than the guess date, and subsequent ones are usually born earlier. Perhaps that will be true here as well?
Of course, Bavery could always be holding out until she’s a September baby! I say that with complete and utter bias. Sending positive vibes your way 🙂
Vivien recently posted…Power of the Positive
Emily Adams
August 31, 2016 at 11:24 pm
You look amazing!!!!!!! Can’t wait to see your precious mini me
Rachel G
September 1, 2016 at 12:33 am
Well, either sooner or later, your September is certainly going to be an exciting one!
Rachel G recently posted…Marriage Non-Advice: Things You Shouldn’t Do to Your Spouse