Healthy Chicks

Oh BABY, things are getting real now that I’m 30+ weeks pregnant! In fact, yesterday the nurse told me I was in the “final stretch” which really put things into perspective. I’ve been loving my third trimester thus far, especially feeling baby girl squirm and watching my bump grow by the week (while comparing the baby’s size to the latest fruit and veggie).

Today on the blog, I’m sharing an inside look at the third trimester thus far — including weight gain, food cravings and everything in between! You can read my first and second trimester recap here.

FOOD CRAVINGS & AVERSIONS

I don’t really have any intense cravings anymore, but I do have some “go to” foods I can’t live without. This includes cold seasonal fruit like berries, watermelon and peaches, gluten free bagels, arugula salads, peanut butter, Lara bars and anything with potatoes — from French fries to baked potatoes.

I’ve also been loving DIY chocolate protein shakes (made with GO PRO Protein Blend, banana, spinach and ice) and my favorite Mint Chip smoothie from Juice on Main.

“MORNING SICKNESS”

While I got hit with morning sickness hard during my first trimester, it pretty much subsided around week 18. Strangely, I’ve had two bouts of nausea in the past couple weeks — once on a hot day in my car and once at a coffee shop. Both times, it was on days where I was chugging water and took my prenatal vitamins without food, so as long as I remember to take small sips and take my vitamins with a bit of protein, I’m in the clear.

OTHER SYMPTOMS

Around week 20, I started having an uncomfortable pain in my groin area, which I was told was due to my body changing and muscles stretching. It was super awkward to get up from the couch or bed and even getting dressed was a whole ordeal.

Since I started making a commitment to daily movement — typically 30 minute walks in the morning or yoga — the pain has gradually disappeared. I even went for a lovely kayak in the lake the other day with my mom. I think getting up and stretching it out has really helped, plus it’s awesome for baby and me since it gets my blood flowing!

While the nausea is gone, I still have acid reflux mostly at night, typically if I don’t eat enough during the day or eat too big of a meal for dinner. Eating smaller meals throughout the day helps keep the reflux at bay but I haven’t really found a “cure” for it. Considering I had such a rough first trimester, this is nothing!

BEST MOMENT

I’ve been really enjoying my pregnancy lately, so every day is truly a blessing for me! Yesterday, I went in for a bonus 30-week Ultrasound to check on baby’s growth, since I was measuring “large for gestational age” at my 28 week appointment. While I was a tad nervous for the appointment, it turns out baby is measuring right on par (66th percentile) and weighs about 3lb 9oz already!

It was amazing to see our baby girl up on the screen, squirming around, opening her mouth and responding to my voice. The tech told me we have a very active little girl, and noted how she responds to my voice and laugh so well. This made me tear up, as I envisioned holding our sweet pea for the first time! I mean…take a look at that sweet little nose and mouth.

WORST MOMENT

During my 28 week appointment, I had to get the Tdap shot to protect baby from whooping cough. My shoulder bruised up and hurt for about 3 days, but that wasn’t the worst of it! Unfortunately, the day after the shot, I had a really bizarre immune response. My body felt extremely hot, I was sweating and I had a splitting migraine-like headache. Luckily, I didn’t have a fever although my temperature was running a bit low. However, I was up all night tossing and turning and bawling my eyes out.

I was also super delirious, and kept telling hubby something about a broom being uncomfortable on my back. WHAT?! Jay was so great bringing me cold wash cloths and water and rubbing my back throughout the night to keep me calm. He’s seriously going to be the most amazing daddy!

WEIGHT GAIN

As I mentioned in my earlier recaps, I lost about 10 pounds during the first trimester, and then finally gained it back around 20 weeks. Well, I’ve been gaining ever since and am now up about 23 pounds!

While this is considered a normal weight gain for 30 weeks pregnant, my doctor was a bit shocked at how quickly I gained weight at my 28 week appointment — 20 pounds in two months. Luckily, it’s slowed down since then and I think it was due to the fact that I was making up for all the weight I lost earlier on. Plus, baby now weighs over 3.5 pounds, and is expected to gain about a half pound a week from here on out!

While at first I was a little upset that my the doctor told me I needed to “watch my portions” and sent me in for a growth scan, I now know she was just doing her job and being cautious. I’m not worried at all about my weight gain, since baby girl is healthy as can be and I’m growing a human!

That’s all for now! Happy to answer any of your pregnancy questions below 😉