Welcome to the third trimester! I’ve never been totally sure when the third trimester starts, some say 27 weeks, some say 28 weeks, so either way I’m definitely in the third trimester! Which seems totaly crazy. It feels like 5 minutes ago when I announced I was pregnant with my pregnancy announcement video, and 2 minutes since I shared my gender reveal poem with you!
Yesterday marked the start of my 29th week of pregnancy so this update is for weeks 27 and 28, up until today. I actually have a few things to update you on which makes a change! I’m sure these updates will be more regular now I’m getting closer to the end; more check ups = more to share!
Last week I had a consultation at the hospital. I was 27 +3 and because of this I had to book my Anti-D injections for the following week as you have to be at least 28 weeks to have them. Sigh.
At this appointment the midwife too 3 huge bottles of blood – no idea what for sorry, although one would be to check my thyroids levels as usual. I heard baby’s heartbeat and the midwife measured me as 27cm which was just right.
I took this opportunity to mention something I’m struggling with to the consultant. My hands. For a number of years I’ve struggled with the strength in my fingers. I can’t carry shopping from my local shop without my fingers going red and stiff. I can’t hold a plate for longer than a minute to serve dinner without it feeling like I’m going to drop it and my fingers locking. The consultant said it sounds like carpel tunnel syndrome. I was worried it’s arthritis as my Auntie was diagnosed with arthritis in her late twenties, and being 29 myself and having suffered with this for a few years now I couldn’t help but think it’s the same thing. Especially as I also get achy hip joints in the middle of the night.
There’s not a lot they can do while i’m pregnant, especially as carpel tunnel syndrome is quite common in pregnant women. However I have been transferred to the physiotherapist to discuss further. To my surprise I actually have an appointment next month which I wasn’t expecting – I thought it would be weeks before I saw anyone (the consultant even joked that the baby might be here before I’m seen!) I’ll keep you posted on what they say.
While I’m at the physio appointment I’ll also mention a trapped nerve I’m really suffering with. Like with Lamb, I have a trapped sciatic nerve which is causing me a lot of pain. Unfortunately I have at least 11 weeks to go (unless baby is early) and it’s only going to get worse. I don’t think there’s anything they can do, especially as my bum is so big there’s no way they could massage it out! 😉
I’ve still been suffering with a little anxiety. Nothing too worrying, just a little breathless ness and panic when I think about having a newborn. I just worry I’ll have PND and 2 children to deal with. Plus Lambs sleeping is awful at the moment. I’m being very strict and not letting him sleep in bed with us. It’s not going well. He wakes up as many times as a newborn and I’m literally exhausted. I’m powering through though. I can’t have a toddler and a newborn co-sleeping with me!
Another symptom I’m struggling with is a really hot patch at the top of my bump. I had it when I was pregnant with Lamb and the exact same patch is buring 24/7 again. I spoke to the midwife about it and she suggested asking the GP for something that neutralises the stomach acids, however the GP didn’t want to give it to me as it said only under extreme circumstances and wants me to get approval from my consultant first. As much as it hurts (the only way I can describe it is it’s like someone id holding a flame to the top of my bump all day) I’d rather not take something that isn’t totally safe when you’re pregnant. I dealt with it with Lamb so I’ll just have to deal with it again.
Week 27 saw me pop to Sainsburys for some breast pads as I had my first proper leak! I’m actually surprised how little I’ve leaked this time. When I was pregnant with Lamb I leaked from 25 weeks so much I had to wear breast pads all day and night. What a waste of milk! This time I’ve hardly leaked at all, although I get the sensation I am. It does concern me that my milk won’t be a strong as it was with Lamb, I mean I could pump a full large Tommee Tippee bottle every 3 hours. I had so much stored away n the fridge and freezer! I’d love to have that much again.
Week 28 was pretty similar in terms of symptoms. A little more anxiety, heart burn and of course the heat in my bump is still there. I’m also struggling with sciatica more, so really looking forward to my physiotherapy appointment next month to see what I can do to ease the pain.
The baby has been moving around so much this week. It feels like he’s having a rave in there! So many full movements rather than little prods and kicks. He’s so different to Lamb. Lamb was head down by this point and stayed that way until birth. SO the kicks were in my ribs constantly. Baby number 2 is breech at the moment and feels like he’s doing full turns, it’s crazy! I’m preparing myself for a more complicated birth because of this. I’ve got a growth scan at 34 weeks so fingers crossed he’s head down by this point and I can stop worrying!
I’ve also been having period like pains and low down aches. Nothing too painful but they are daily.
On Wednesday evening we were invited to have a 4D bonding scan for free as part of a training programme. I still can’t believe we got it for free. If I’m honest I’ve always found these a little creepy, but it was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I saw my baby boy and saw what he looks like. He’s absolutely beautiful. Since the 4D scan I haven’t suffered with anxiety at all. It’s really helped me bond with him and I can’t wait for him to be here. I’ll be writing a full review on my 4D scan experience soon.
I think that’s it for this update. As you can see things are getting a little more interesting and I’m finding writing about pregnancy a little easier. I’ll try to update you more often now we are getting closer to the end!
I can’t believe on Sunday I’ll be 30 weeks! I just can’t get my head around how quickly this pregnancy is going. He will be here in no time!
Ax
Great update, sounds like you have lots going on, glad the consultant is keeping an eye on your hands. I suffer with my hands and it is really hard to function isn’t it.
Mine aren’t too bad unless I’m holding something slightly heavy like a plate or carrier bag, hopefully it doesn’t get an worse as the pregnancy progresses, it’s not nice xx
I can remember feeling anxious too when I was pregnant with both my 2nd and 3rd. Its lovely that you are documenting these stages I wish I had been blogging during mine.
Yeah I wish I was blogging during my first pregnancy so I could compare. But I’m glad I get to document this one xx
Great update and fab about the scan. Sorry about your nerve trap pain. I never leaked through either of my pregnancies. eeeeek end is in sight, i’m getting excited for you xx
How great that you managed to get a physio appointment so quickly! Hopefully that will help you to feel more comfortable. I joined the waiting list at 27 weeks last time and didn’t manage to get an appointment until week 36 so I never felt like it was much use for me, but I bet an earlier appointment will make all the difference. It’s great that your anxiety has gone, I think it’s really hard to avoid anxiety during pregnancy, it’s such a stressful time! x
Oh I’m sorry to hear about the trapped nerve thats no good. I don’t think they did the 4D scan in NZ when I was pregnant back in 2008. It sounds wonderful! Angela from Daysinbed x
4D scans are truly amazing aren’t they. I am going to book one around 25-30 weeks again. I am sure you are really pleased you’re in the third trimester now! Not long to go! I’ve been suffering with bad period type pains too! Horrible aren’t they.
So exciting.
They take blood at 28 weeks to check if you’re anaemic – not sure what the other vials are for though! I had my baby 8 weeks ago and it still seems like yesterday that I was in my third trimester. I felt quite anxious about going from one to two kids but she has slotted into our family perfectly and I’m sure your little one will do the same. It’s such an exciting time, try to enjoy in between the more painful / awkward bits x
We’ve had it rough with O’s sleeping lately too. I found that a reward chart really helped – he wasn’t getting up for any real reason, so giving him the focus to remember to stay in bed has made a difference. How exciting that you’re 28 weeks now! x
Oh Alex I had carpel tunnel in my hands during pregnancy and for a short while afterwards and it’s awful isn’t it? So painful and you just can’t use your hand like you are used to.
The scan sounds fantastic, enjoy the experience. It’s something I wish we had done xx
Great update, can’t believe you got a 4d scan for free – lucky you! Hope your hot patch sorts it’s self out, I’m 34 weeks pregnant myself and killed with heart burn the last few weeks – I can only imagine how much worse it must be for you 🙁 best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Thats amazing you had the bonding scan for free. I was the same about 4D scans with both my two… but maybe next time (if there ever is a next time) I would go for it especially as you have said how lovely it is.
Bless you with your hands. Hope the physio helps you.
I feel you on the sleeping. Both mine still sleep in my bed. I put them to bed in the evening in their own bed and then come midnight or early hours of the morning they are in with us and my husband is in one of their beds! We bought a super king bed before Archie was born specifically because I love my sleep and knew I would be co sleeping with Archie and that probably sophia would want to join us. So we just went with it. I know how hard it is though when you are pregnant. Just keep doing what works for you.
It is a bit nerve wracking waiting for baby #2… I also remember feeling very anxious before Archie was born although I never spoke about it, but it all works out you get used to it, a new routine new life it all becomes easier. I definitely found second time round easier then first time round. Lots of luck sent to you. xx