Churnin’ & Burnin’, Poppin’ & Droppin’ – Times They Are A-Changin’

The heartburn that felt like a radiator bubbling over in my chest, which even Tums could not assuage, leading to much sabotaged sleep, has finally, thankfully, eased up. Every night for a couple of weeks, anything I put into my body would churn and burn and keep me up. It was awful. Thank goodness that’s no longer an issue.

About a month or so ago, all of the sudden people were coming up to me saying “wow! You’ve really popped!” For the last week, I’ve been getting “wow! You’ve really dropped.” Hence the relief from heartburn symptoms. Now I really feel like my bladder is teeny tiny, but at least he’s dropping like a good baby should during the last few weeks.

My feet on the other hand? SWOLLEN. To the point of pain. Last week I had to tape my left foot and put ice on it at work because it was so swollen it felt like a strain in the top of my foot. This morning I woke up and could not walk on my right foot because it felt strained across the bottom. For whatever reason, soaking in warm water relieves the strained feeling and helps me be able to, um, actually walk. Which is kind of essential.

The massage therapist two weeks ago said I’m in good shape – a little tightness in my left knee and in both of my hips – but doing good for being so pregnant. Today, however, I’m feeling the weight. My knee hurts, my feet are tender, swollen and sore. I want the 40 pounds I’ve gained to be OFF – like, yesterday. Given that I still have 4 more weeks, I’m trying really hard not to think about it.

I’m 36 weeks today and saw the doc today. He said my cervix is closed, cultures from last week came back negative (good thing), and even though my feet are swollen, my blood pressure is normal and urine is normal. He gave me the short list of things to call him or go to the hospital about: any bleeding, decreased fetal movement, water breaks, or contractions at 5 minutes apart for an hour.

We talked very briefly about L&D – specifically about whether I’ll need a full IV when I’m admitted to the hospital or if I can just get a hep-lock. He strongly recommends letting them give me IV fluids (to combat dehydration), but unless I know I’m getting pain meds, I only really need a hep-lock. He warned that any epidural has to be preceded by saline being pumped into my system (to combat fetal distress after administration of the drugs).

He wants me to have an ultrasound in 2 weeks to check the baby’s size. I felt less like a ticking time bomb when I left his office today – less like “it could happen any moment” and more like “I still have some time to prepare”.

Which is a good thing. We got the infant seat via UPS last night (I love shopping online!) and I’m so glad we switched from black and green to brown and green. I like it so much better. I also received the nursing bras and pajamas I ordered from Target (with free shipping. . . I SO love online shopping!) After my work shower this past Monday, M’s work shower today, and doing some shopping and exchanges on Saturday, I think we’ll be pretty darn set. Pretty soon, we’ll have nothing to do but wait for him to come. (sha right!)

~Nichole