Baby Number 2: 32 Week Pregnancy Update
Woohoo, only 8 weeks to go until we meet our little bundle of joy. Things are starting to feel very real and ever slightly scary. I really need to get my bum into gear and focus on my hypnobirthing because I am determined not to have another induction or have to face the dreaded epidural again. I really want to have a positive labour experience as I feel that Luke’s didn’t really give me and control over the situation. I’ve been thinking about the differences that will hopefully occur between my labour and birth with Luke, verses how these things will go with Baby Number 2. I am determined to stay more in control and not simply do as I’m told to do. With Luke, I was only 21 and terrified, so everything was very clinical and I had no idea what to expect/how to voice my opinion and ended up being in a situation I didn’t really want to be in…especially when it came to have 6 epidurals! I have high hopes that things will be different this time around.
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How far along? 32 weeks
Maternity clothes? They’re the only choice for me now. I’m currently living in over bump maternity leggings and a handful of maternity tops. I think I’m going to need to buy some maxi dresses soon though and I’m always way too hot and it’s making me feel really miserable. Even if it’s raining outside, I’ll be the weirdo wearing a t-shirt and leggings, maybe with an umbrella, but definitely without a jacket or coat!
Stretch marks? I think I’ve been lucky as I haven’t had any new ones pop up. I have a lot from my previous pregnancy though, so fingers crossed I don’t get any more. I’m still using the Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter and it’s working well to keep my skin soft and elasticated. I’m not sure if I’m maybe on my way to getting some under my boobs – the skin feels dry there and sometimes itchy but I’m just not sure what’s going on there!
Sleep: Ear plugs have been my best friends! I’m sleeping a lot better now that I have found a brand that works for me. Also my pregnancy pillow is starting to come in really handy, which makes sleeping easier. Plus I also have a few extra pillows in bed, much to my boyfriend’s dismay, which I put under my tummy when I’m lying on my side. I’ve run out of Spatone which is a pain in the bum,but I’m going to have to buy some more as I’m really noticing the difference when I don’t take it now. I’m struggling so much with having absolutely no energy throughout the day and also not really having the time/ability to have a nap very often. I know from experience that it doesn’t get any better either. I can’t describe how exhausted I am, I feel like I could sleep for days.
Best moment this week: Honestly, the best part of the week has been my sister helping out with Luke’s school run. I’ve started to get exhausted remarkably easily and the school run (5 mile round walk for me) feels like absolute hell. I don’t know how these fitness mums manage to go to the gym and carry on with all their fitness regimes when heavily pregnant, but I’m really suffering in the heat. I’m too hot, the walk is too long and my feet hurt so much. To top it off, this past week has also bought me Braxton Hicks while walking and they’re a lot stronger than I remember them being when I was pregnant with Luke. Luckily for me now, I have a week off from the school run because it’s half term!
Miss Anything? I miss caffeine. So, so much. I wish I could drink a gallon of coffee, or even pop a Pro Plus (yes, that is how exhausted I am!) I suppose that also goes hand in hand with me really missing sleep that actually restores my energy levels! I sleep fine now, but it doesn’t ever feel like I’ve actually had any rest.
Movement: This little chap has not stopped moving! Sometimes it even takes me by surprise and is a little painful. According to his 20 week scan, he has very long legs, and I expect that some of my discomfort stems from him trying to give those legs a good stretch. I’m also still suffering really badly from that sudden need to pee whenever I’m out and about or walking to school. Like, I REALLY need to pee!
Food cravings: I’m not sure I’m really having any, unless you count cake? I have been eating a lot of fruit lately, but also a lot of cake, so I suppose I’m craving all the sweet things!
Anything making you queasy or sick: My Hyperemesis Gravidarum seems to have died down now and I no longer need to take medication often. There is the occasional day where I feel a bit groggy but usually I’m fine. There have been a few days lately where I’ve felt quite nauseous and have had to go for a lie down, but thankfully I haven’t actually been sick – well, there was one morning last week, but I’ve survived since then.
Gender: We are having a boy!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks in the morning, evenings and whenever I’m walking anywhere! They seem to be a lot stronger than I remember them being when I was pregnant with Luke.
Symptoms: Horrible heartburn, I’d almost say it was painful. Huge belly – it has definitely popped out a lot in the past week. Absolutely no energy at all and, of course, the dreaded Braxton Hicks.
Belly Button in or out? In for now, but it’s on it’s way out!
Rings on or off? Still on! I remember having to take them all off with Luke, but I had more blood pressure issues with that pregnancy so I suppose my hands were a bit more swollen.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I would describe my mood as irritable. I don’t have much patience with a lot of people, probably because I’m so blooming tired. I get offended/upset pretty easily and have a massive sulk which will inevitably result in me crying. It’s pretty messed up and hard to deal with. I’m having a lot of issues just processing the things people say to me and actually taking it all in and mulling it over before replying. I seem to be quite irrational.
Looking forward to: Finalising everything that we have packed in our hospital bags. We’ve sorted out what we want to take, but we just need to run everything through the washing machine and make it all nice and clean! Also, getting this baby out of me! I’m so fed up of being pregnant now, I can’t wait to just get everything moving and meet the little fella.