31 Week Pregnancy Blog
Written on July 9, 2016How far along? 31 weeks 6 days -- almost 8 months!
Baby: Oreo measures over 16 inches long and weighs about 3 1/3 pounds (about the size of a coconut!). She's definitely growing! The baby is heading into a growth spurt (which is crazy because the baby has already been in a growth spurt). The baby can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath the skin. The baby is moving a lot too!
Total Weight Gain: I have now gained 14-15 lbs (120-121). While I don't love it, I am happy to see my weight increasing since the baby is having some growth issues and is only in the 24th percentile for weight. This week I majorly amped up my protein intake (my doctors suggestion to help with growth), so my diet has been much different. I don't naturally eat a lot of protein, but I'm finding protein packed things that I do like after some searching. Hopefully the protein is helping the baby grow and allowing me to put on some healthy weight. I've also been walking some each day which I am loving. It feels so good to be active again, even if it's just a mile walk around the neighborhood.
Maternity Clothes: Maternity clothes are my friend right now! My belly is getting bigger and bigger, so options are becoming increasingly limited. Still wearing almost all maternity shirts and dresses and then some maternity shorts and regular shorts with my belly band. I'm filling out the bigger maternity shirts better, so at least they look like they fit me properly now. I've settled into my favorites as far as maternity wear goes and am kinda rotating those items. That's how I know the end is (kinda) near!
Stretch Marks: I'm still being consistent with the stretch mark cream and moisturization. I am applying lotion to my belly each morning and evening. I have been trying to be very consistent with this because I know now is the time I am growing quickly.
31 Week Bump!
Miss Anything? For most of the day, I feel great! But the aches and pains do kick in especially on active days and by each evening. Carrying around and chasing after a toddler at 8 months pregnant (add constantly having to go up and down the stairs in there) is exhausting. Back pain and round ligament pain have been prominent this week. I just miss my body being able to do whatever I want it to do without being in pain. Besides that, I still love pregnancy! Very few complaints here.
Best Moment of the Week: We made a bunch of progress with baby things this week! I ordered and received my new diaper bag and baby girl's dresser. I was given a bunch of little girl clothes sizes newborn - 12 months from a friend at church along with baby gear. We got rid of some older baby things and were given used but newer baby gear items. We also bought decorations (pictures and a rug) for her nursery. So overall, it was a great week as far as baby preparation goes!
Movement: I can tell she's getting bigger -- her movements are big and powerful! I can really feel her different body parts and little booty constantly moving. She is still very active most days. She does have days where she's less active (which scare me), but usually she moves very often. I make a big effort to make sure she's moving every 1-2 hours, but usually it doesn't take long to feel her. I love all the movements and being able to tell there's a fully formed baby in there! I can also feel her at night and during my sleep. She tends to be very active at night before bed.
Movement: I can tell she's getting bigger -- her movements are big and powerful! I can really feel her different body parts and little booty constantly moving. She is still very active most days. She does have days where she's less active (which scare me), but usually she moves very often. I make a big effort to make sure she's moving every 1-2 hours, but usually it doesn't take long to feel her. I love all the movements and being able to tell there's a fully formed baby in there! I can also feel her at night and during my sleep. She tends to be very active at night before bed.
Food Cravings: I did well with food this week. I was instructed to eat more protein to help with the baby's growth and that's exactly what I've been doing. I'm really making to effort to have every calorie count by eating nutritious and protein filled foods. My favorites have been apples and peanut butter, Boost Chocolate nutritional drink (kind of like a protein shake), peanut butter and dark chocolate protein bars, Greek yogurt, cheese sticks, and scrambled eggs with cheese and tomatoes topped with salsa. Yummy! This week we had a few days filled with eating delicious food -- 4th of July, birthday party, lunch with friends, family dinner, and church staff dinner. I ate a lot of protein (meats) at all of those meals and just ate some good hearty food. I was told to increase my caloric intake, so that's what I'm trying to do -- within reason. I'm sure that helped with the weight gain this week, but no complaints from me! I've been really limiting the sweets lately just because I know that they do nothing for the baby as far as nutrition, BUT I did have a brownie and ice cream twice this week, 2 pieces of cake at a birthday party, and delicious homemade blueberry pie that a church member gave us -- and it hit the spot!! I'll always have a sweet tooth...just trying to control it until she's born and not dependent on me for all her nutrition. :)
Anything making you queasy or sick?Just not getting enough rest.
Gender: GIRL!
Symptoms: More Braxton Hicks contractions (a few each day), back pain, round ligament pain, tired, difficulty sleeping, and just feeling more pregnant as the baby grows. Acne and constipation have been great this pregnancy which is a change from my last pregnancy. Funny how each pregnancy has its specific challenges!
Happy or moody: Moody
Looking forward to: My 3 doctor's appointments this week (specialist, thyroid, and regular OBGYN) and continujng to work on getting ready for the baby to come! Also, a busy week with play dates and meeting new people here in Macon, so I'm excited about that.
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