36 Weeks Pregnant
Apparently in one short week, I gained an entire 4 lbs. I’m seriously considering having them do another ultrasound to check to see if I somehow am now having twins…or maybe Aurora sprouted another head? A really really big head? But, really 120 lbs? Are you KIDDING me?
On the 6th (of April), I had some lovely little contractions for about 5 hours. They mostly felt like achey back cramps (like menstrual cramps) – and were super annoying and dull with a little bit of hardening in my uterus…but, it felt almost constant, like there were no real beginning and end…so I couldn’t time them. I emailed my doula who was out of town, knowing she probably wouldn’t get the email until she came back to work (VACATION? Who do you think you are, woman!? just kidding) but obviously wasn’t TOO concerned because I neither texted (or called) her OR my OB. It was more of a “Hmm…maybe I SHOULD be packing stuff and unpacking baby clothes” kind of thing and I knew they’d be quite a lot more intense if it were progressing far enough. I did try the water and resting thing (on both sides) and it helped not. So…I guess my body just wanted some practice time.
Or, maybe I have a bladder infection. At my doctor’s appointment, they noticed some extra protein in my urine, but trace levels. After a string of “how does it feel to pee” sort of questions, which I apparently did not answer to their liking (I was peeing just fine…and frequently), they decided to send it off for testing. Just to be sure. I bought cranberry juice. And, ever since they told me I MIGHT have an infection I’m pretty sure my brain has decided that it might as well because I’m feeling a bit more…eh…uncomfortable. I’m not convinced it’s not in my head, but I’ll start cranberry pills tomorrow JUST IN CASE.
Oh, and I have a rash on my chest again. It’s random and a little itchy and kind of looks like heat rash, cept it stays around. Not like the itchiness of the rashes I had before, just…normal itchy. Not sure what that’s from (maybe just hormones or something else random), but figured I’d note it anyhow. Have had it for a couple of days.
Speaking of hormones…I’m like a regular bleary eyed softy these days. What? We ran over an ant? HOW COULD YOUUUUUUU?!! Yeh, it’s not pretty.
I’m feeling mostly good – a little tired, but no big deal. No swelling so far as long as I take it pretty easy and don’t try to do a LOT of walking and standing. Which is totally not a problem 
After the contractions, I realized I need to get on the ball and start finishing up (starting) some stuff because THIS BABY COULD BE HERE AT ANY POINT! Took wee baby clothes out of storage and hung them and realized that WOW, 2 KIDS IN ONE ROOM WITH ALL OF THEIR STUFF AND A WEE TEENINY CLOSET? SQUUUEEEZZEE! I printed the birth plan and have decided to ignore the advice I received on baking fresh cookies and cupcakes for the staff because:
1. I really don’t think they’d make it out of my kitchen.
2. If I were getting induced or having a schedule C-section…maybe. But, I have a feeling this little kidling isn’t going to give me much of a heads up for a baking day. And, really…I’m pretty sure the staff would be far more pissed off if i brought in week old moldy cupcakes (no matter how beautifully decorated) than if I brought nothing at all.
3. Did I mention I’m pregnant and really LIKE (eating) cupcakes?
4. I highly doubt I’ll feel much like sifting flour and measuring butter between contractions.
Guess I could throw some Oreos on a plate and call it a day, but really…what kind of girl do you think I am?
UPDATE: The Strep B test that came back from last week…Negative.
Welcome back!
Comments
annie
1. (this is from a previous post that i keep forgetting to comment on) I always thought cloudy floaty things in your pee was normal because it’s happened with both my pregnancies and all my pee tests and stuff come back normal. Maybe pregnant women do have magic pee! Too bad it doesn’t manifest in some useful way…
2. My midwife with the last pregnancy and with this pregnancy all say elevated protein levels are normal at this stage of pregnancy and it’s nothing to be worried about unless it starts to hurt to pee. My pee has had traces of protein in it for the last two or three check-ups with no other symptoms, so I guess it’s not anything to worry about.
3. I’ve had those back cramps/contractions with the uterine tightening a few times, though they’ve never lasted five hours. My midwife said they were probably Braxton-Hicks contractions with the baby positioned weirdly on a muscle near my back and to take calcium-magnesium supplements. I take NatureCalm (or maybe it’s NaturalCalm) and haven’t had them since. Or leg cramping or anything like that. Good stuff. They were weird, though, like back labor and I had to lay down for a long time with something supporting my back.
4. I’ve been swelling in weird areas, like my arms and legs instead of my ankles or feet. I have not been walking too much, though, which I think is part of the problem. I need better circulation. I’ve been mostly sitting. Or lying down. Or standing in one place for too long.
5. I have a weird, itchy rash in a line from my belly button to the bottom of my uterus. It’s highly annoying and feels like little bug bites or something. Itchy itchy itchy. Coconut oil is helping but I have to keep applying it.
6. I just finished washing and putting away all our newborn clothes, too, and am amazed at how little space we have even with a decent sized closet and TWO dressers in my daughter’s room. I’ve already weeded out quite a bit and feel like I need to go through everything again. I’m glad we’ve saved all the good stuff my daughter outgrew if we have a girl, but if we have a boy I’m at a loss as to where to put his things! It’s crazy! What are we going to do if we have more than two children??
7. My brother’s birthday is this Sunday, too! Your church sounds great and how beautiful to be baptized on Easter morning.
8. I totally read Bunnicula in second grade and it’s the reason to this day I don’t like white bunnies. Ugh so creepy!
9. Cupcakes sound so perfect right now……..
Jill
Oooohhh – happy 36 weeks! Here’s hoping all goes well these next few weeks.