I am finishing up my 30th week of pregnancy and I'm pretty miserable most of the time. I can't sleep well anymore, so I'm always tired. Elijah has figured out how to wedge his tiny feet into my ribs which is uncomfortable, and at times painful. I can't bend over anymore. I have a large appetite, but a small stomach. We have had record temperatures of up to 105 for almost a week now, and our air conditioning at home just can't keep up. I can feel my pelvis separating which is also quite painful.
Despite all of my complaining, I am still so thankful that I have a healthy baby. The pregnancy has gone perfect so far. I have not had one little complication. Our little Elijah is now about 3 pounds and I have gained over 15 pounds. Our childbirth classes have been amazing. Despite all the blog-reading and research I've done, I still learn so much at each class. After our class on diet and exercise I began a daily regimen of simple exercises to prepare for labor. It helps me to know that there's something I can do now to hopefully make labor a little easier. Last night we learned positions for pushing, so we will now be practicing those as well. I love having that time to spend with Daniel. It feels like we're bonding with Elijah as a family, even though he's not born yet. Daniel has been absolutely amazing. At the classes he asks a ton of questions and takes notes. He takes the relaxation and labor exercises very seriously. He encourages me with my daily exercise and takes walks with me (when we can stand the heat). My favorite thing is when he wakes up early in the morning and rolls over and puts his hand on my belly. Often he tells me later in the day that he felt Elijah moving. It's hard for him to believe that I can sleep through it. But I tell him that if I couldn't sleep through it then I would never sleep!
Our little boy is very active now. I can distinguish many different types of movement. Sometimes I can feel a pointy body part (an elbow or knee) scrape across my belly. Other times it's more of a wave, which is probably his head. I can also feel his hiccups which I find really annoying. And of course I feel kicks. Sometimes they're little kicks, and sometimes they're really big kicks that make me feel like my whole body moves. And I have also started to feel Braxton-Hicks contractions. They aren't painful at all, but they are uncomfortable. It just feels like intense pressure that makes my whole abdomen as stiff as a board. It's hard to breathe or eat when that happens. But I try to relax and wait for it to pass.
We have just 8 or 10 weeks left until we get to meet Elijah. I am so excited I can hardly wait! And after our childbirth classes I feel more prepared than ever to give birth naturally. I want desperately to avoid a c-section, but I'm still a little bit open to an epidural (though I'm still hoping to avoid it). My biggest concern right now is successful breastfeeding. I have read so many places that it can be very challenging, so I want to give us every advantage to get it right. I am absolutely determined to give it everything I've got. Our goal is exclusive breast milk for 6 months. I'm also hoping to exclusively nurse him for the first 4 weeks, and then introduce bottles after that.
Working is getting harder as I get more uncomfortable. I find myself spending more time sitting at my desk and avoiding more active chores. Luckily most of my co-workers are supportive and understanding (some- or one in particular- is not). I get lots of comments from strangers walking to and from my desk each morning and evening. Almost every day someone will ask me if I'm due any day now. That's a bit depressing since I have 2 more months to go. I must look huge! But I also know that some people are just ignorant and don't know what 9 months pregnant looks like. They will in a few months! I know it'll fly by and then I'll be holding little Elijah in my arms :-)
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