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Photo by bam61907
I'm following a first-time pregnant mom, Brittany (bam61907), on her exciting journey from bump to baby. Check back every Wednesday for the latest developments!
Week 32
What's Happening with Mom: This week we painted Aubrey's room and I love the light green color! Now that we have everything ready and the room painted, I'm even more anxious for her to get here. My mom friends warned me this would happen!
This week I've been so aware of my tummy sticking out even more. I've even caught myself WADDLING. It is getting harder to carry this belly.
My next OB appointment is coming up, and I want to discuss this discomfort I've been having. It feels like Aubrey is sometimes head down and VERY low. It can be really painful. Plus, I'm still having Braxton Hicks contractions a lot and bad back pain.This week, if I had to sum up pregnant life, I'd say it's achy. I love my warm baths now! They do wonders.
I keep trying to map out in my mind how my labor is going to be. I am so excited but also nervous. My biggest worry is that I'll go to the hospital when I feel like it's time and they'll tell me it's a false alarm and send me home. I'm afraid if I go home and then "true" labor sets in, that I won't be able to make it back to the hospital in time. We live in northern Virginia and our hospital is in Bethesda, Maryland so, with traffic, it could take a while to get to the hospital.
Other than that, my biggest concern is that I really want a vaginal delivery. I'm just hoping everything goes smoothly and that I don't have to have a C-section.
It doesn't feel like Aubrey's really "kicking" anymore, but the past three days she has been doing somersaults or something in my belly. Justin and I have literally stared at my belly when she does it and it moves from side to side and looks like she is going in circles! It feels cool but weird at the same time. She's really been moving big time!
What's Happening with the Baby: My movements are big and strong and chances are good that I'm already head down. I weigh close to four pounds and am around 17 inches long -- most preemies born at this age will survive. My eyes are open when I'm awake and closed when I'm sleeping -- they're likely blue right now, but that may change a couple of months after birth.
Question of the Week from Pregnancy:
I'm 32 weeks and a first-time preggo -- the labor's getting close and I'm getting scared! What will it be like when they start checking my cervix? And for labor -- I just don't want the pain to get to me. -- angelahess09
Ask your doctor when and how they do cervical checks -- it varies from practice to practice. I had one provider that did them weekly after 36 weeks and one that never did them because it doesn't tell you much and has a slight infection risk. -- riotgrrl
They'll check your cervix with a gloved hand -- two fingers are inserted to check your dilation. You can ask your doc to limit them to what's medically necessary. Pain during labor can be heavily influenced by your attitude and mood -- the more relaxed you are, the less pain you'll experience. Epidurals can be great for moms who have a long labor. -- pregpostmassage
Past weeks:
Comments (4)
To avoid a c-section, make sure you do a LOT of reading on labor and delivery. Watch "The Business of Being Born" (you can watch it instantly on Netflix, if you have it), and do a lot of reading that isn't just from OBs. You need to know what birth SHOULD be like, and that YOU'RE the one in control, and definitely when to tell the doctors to back off. The more medical interventions you avoid, the less likely you'll be to have a c-section.
Anywa, I'm 32 weeks on Friday, and "achy" about sums it up for me right now too. My back hurts all the time and because of my stomach, I can't stretch my back. I can't bend down easily (sometimes at all), sleeping has become very difficult, and I actually think this girl has BRUISED me from the inside. Even the shower's spray hurt this one area on my stomach. As we speak, she's decided that since her hiccups are over with, she'll hit my cervix for a little bit. Whee. *sigh*
I am so excited for you. I can't wait to see her! I will have to check out your page and see if you posted pics of her room, I would love to see how it turned out.
I know how anxious you feel and how exciting and frightening this is. Hang in there.
OH and thanks so much for your kind words last week. I love that little Lily Mae and Adrina too. I could not have asked for a better DIL than her!
Rana-Yes, at this point everything is achy and it is hard to sleep and bend down. Our little ones will be here soon!
Peajewel- I sent you a friend request! Yes, this is all very excited yet still very frightening.
argh, I will be 32 weeks sunday- mine has felt like she is trying to shove her way out on her own... she lies really low and it is just uncomfortable... this morning I woke up with this wicked bad cramp in my lower belly, like a charley horse or something, I had to slowly uncurl and stretch it out... which worked but it was just not fun.
This is my third, I am ot really worried about needing a c-section, my doc is all business and he gets it taken care of- plus he has delivered my other two vaginally as well as delivering my 15 year old brother and 8 year old sister via c-section- so I know he can handle anything...