Week 37 - Guys, I'm officially term. It's been an intense few weeks being pregnant during a pandemic. Less than 3 weeks to go!
👶🏽 Baby Status: Baby is now 48cm long and 2.9kg (as heavy as a canary melon). He is packing on the kg's and is getting chubbier by the day. Many of bubby's organs are now mature and ready for life on the outside. For example, blood circulation has perfected and his immune system has developed enough to protect from most infections (hopefully COVID-19). Other systems like digestion are still developing and will continue to well after birth. Although baby's bones have hardened, his skull remains soft so it can squeeze more easily through the birth canal. He is moving so much now and my whole belly moves with him - best feeling in the world.
🤰🏽 Mama's Status:
Being pregnant and giving birth is hard - let alone during a pandemic. It's been intense lately between being 9 months pregnant, the yoga studio having to close, the financial stress that goes with that, relationship strain from being in isolation and just overall anxiety. I think about EVERYTHING I touch and EVERYONE I come into contact with. I'd really, really, really like to not get sick and to keep baby healthy. There's no evidence that Coronavirus affects babies in utero or babies in general, however expecting Mum's are still considered 'vulnerable'. This week has been a lot of ups and downs and I'm definitely still moving through it and processing. Each week is getting a little more challenging with pregnancy aches and pains. Baby has definitely dropped and his head is now deep in the pelvis. I feel daily pelvic pain every time I stand - I know he isn't far off arriving! My swelling in the feet and handles are touch and go - so some days I do get a bit of a relief! Every joint in my body is feeling loose with relaxin so staying mindful with stretching more than ever. Oh and weird and cool fact is that my boobs are now producing colostrum (pre-milk) - my midwife was able to show me and squeeze a little out. THEY"RE WORKING! We've been doing a lot of last-minute baby shopping and getting his room prepared. And I can't stop cleaning. I don't know where this energy is coming from! I'm told this is nesting haha.
Diet and Cravings: Ice-cream has been my go-to in this heat.
Pregnancy Exercises and Yoga: I've managed to get a few walks in this week (with the help of compression stockings) and swimming in the pool/ocean have been feeling good and helping with the swelling!
Self Care Ritual This Week: I've been drawn to reading books around birthing this week. I know this isn't a usual self-care practice but for me it's one that leaves me feeling informed and prepared. So in a way it's self-care for me.
✄ ┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄
✌🏽 Thanks for taking the time to read and connect. I'm sharing my pregnancy journey online for friends, family and other mamas out there. If you have any questions, tips or anything you'd like to share, please comment below.
#week37 #37weeks #secondtrimester #trimestertwo #trimester2 #pregnant #pregnancy #anxiety #maternity #baby #babymama #motherhood #babybump #mumtobe #maternityphotography #newborn #bumpstyle #bump #love #maternityphotographer #newborn #expecting #mum #mumlife #pregnancylife #pregnantlife #babyontheway #family