Pregnancy Update
Colton and I started trying for a baby in April 2019, and we joke that it "happened" the night we had an argument. While we may never know for sure, I believe that God has a sense of humor and blessed us despite our anger.
I took my first pregnancy test on April 28, 2019 (before my period was supposed to start) and was shocked to see a faint positive line. I was so surprised but tried not to get too excited just in case it was a false positive. Over the next few days, I took four more tests (I had to make sure it was positive!) before deciding that this was really happening. That Friday, May 3, 2019, Colton and I drove down to Eugene, OR for an awards ceremony and it was at dinner that I surprised him with the good news.
Looking back on April 2019, before taking the pregnancy tests, I do remember having sore breasts and having some very soft bowel movements (TMI?); both of which can be early signs of pregnancy. I for sure thought it was the egg burritos I had a few times that were messing up my digestion, but Baby G was actually the culprit.
As we are days away from meeting our little bundle of joy, I thought it would be fun to show my weekly baby bump progression and share the changes I experienced in each trimester. Overall, I would say I had an easy pregnancy and actually really loved the way I looked with a baby bump. While the end was very uncomfortable, it was amazing seeing my body change and grow this baby all on its own! God’s design sure is amazing!
First Trimester
Weeks: 1-12 weeks
Baby Size: Banana Seed (0.02 inches) to Plum (2.09 inches)
Baby Weight: Roughly ?? to 0.49 ounces
Weight Gain at 12 weeks: 2.2 pounds in the first trimester.
Cravings: Ramen noodles, carbonated drinks, fruit-flavored desserts and candy as opposed to my normal chocolate obsession.
Aversions: The aversion I was most sad about was coffee (I'm glad we're friends again!) Also, grape tomatoes. There was one day some friends made this delicious pasta salad with grape tomatoes, and a yummy olive oil dressing. That weekend I made a double recipe because I loved it so much and unfortunately, the grape tomatoes turned my stomach and I couldn't even look at them without becoming nauseous.
Symptoms: My very first symptom, even before I knew I was pregnant was diarrhea. I honestly thought it was the egg burritos I was eating, but turns out it wasn't. I've also had the typical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and feeling exhausted like I never have experienced. I also had tailbone pain and would vomit if I drank water on an empty stomach. Spider veins, an armpit skin tab, and round ligament pain, also made their lovely appearances.
Stretch Marks: Nothing new from pre-pregnancy.
Second Trimester
Weeks: 13-27 weeks
Baby Size: Lemon (2.91 inches) to Lettuce (14.4 inches)
Baby Weight: 0.81 ounces 1.93 pounds
Weight Gain at 27 weeks: 19.7 pounds overall; 17.5 pounds in the second trimester.
Cravings: Aside from still craving carbonated drinks, I haven't had any I-need-this-right-now cravings and it is a little disappointed. I wanted to experience asking Colton to go buy me XX food at midnight. Additionally, while I wouldn't call it a full craving, I have had more of an appetite for beef, pickles, and salty chips.
Aversions: Still cherry tomatoes. Coffee is now back in my daily schedule!
Symptoms: The extreme exhaustion seemed to last forever, despite friends telling me it would eventually go away. I was one of the "lucky" ones who's fatigue didn't go away right after the first trimester and instead lasted about half way through the second trimester. Early on I was having a lot of tailbone pain and experienced some severe lower back pain for a few weeks. Praise the LORD they both went away eventually. The skin tab I developed in the first trimester is slowly growing and I cannot wait to get it removed post-baby. 15 weeks in I also developed a weird rash on my face that has stuck around for the long haul; definitely not the pregnancy glow everyone talks about. ;) Fingers crossed it goes away after birth.
Stretch Marks: Nothing new from pre-pregnancy.
Feeling Baby?: I started to feel small flutters around 18 weeks and first felt the baby from the outside at 19 weeks (8/17/2019).
Braxton Hicks?: YES! These started around 20ish weeks for me. They weren't painful or uncomfortable, just something I would notice, especially when walking around.
What l am Wearing: I have a favorite pair of maternity shorts that I found at Goodwill. Old Navy basic scoop neck maternity shirts and Old Navy ribbed maternity tank tops have been staple items from the beginning. Leggings are also perfect at this stage as they help support my growing belly.
How we are Preparing for Baby: I've started to deep clean different areas of our home and make space for baby items. I'm reading pregnancy books and blogs in preparation of drafting our birth preferences.
Looking Forward to: Fitting into some maternity dresses that are a tad too loose in the belly area. Additionally, I am anxiously awaiting our baby showers so we can start to get the nursery set up.
Third Trimester
Weeks: 28-42 weeks
Baby Size: Eggplant (14.8 inches) to Watermelon (20.8 inches)
Baby Weight: 2.20 pounds to 9.26 pounds
Weight Gain at 38 weeks: 30.6 pounds overall; 10.9 pounds in the third trimester.
Cravings: Again, not a full craving, but I have been making a lot of pasta dishes. I didn't notice it until Colton mentioned I kept making pasta and soup, two things he isn't a huge fan of. The spicy ramen from the Ramen Ciro food car near PSU has been frequented many times during this pregnancy. Carbonated drinks may be a forever craving. There is just something refreshing about cold, bubbly, liquid. Towards the end of the third trimester I started craving pellet ice chips, especially from Chick-Fil-A.
Aversions: Nothing seems to be off limits for me at this point.
Symptoms: Early third trimester I had some nausea and vomiting, due to everything being squished upwards. Muscle pain near my ribs from my uterus / baby growing has also made an appearance. The more common symptoms I am experiencing are that I am really out of breath from simple activities and it has become difficult to put on pants, socks and shoes. The armpit skin tab is still there as well as the face rash has continued to spread to other parts of my face. Pregnancy is so glamorous ;)! It has become very difficult to roll over in the middle of the night and Colton often has to help me off the bed / couch. My proudest accomplishment is that I've become a professional nap taker. Around 38 weeks my hips and pelvic area started to get extremely sore and my face and hands are beginning to get swollen. Baby G, you can come out already!
Stretch Marks: My first stretch marks started appearing around week 37 on my lower belly.
Feeling Baby?: YES. It is less than before but these movements are bigger, almost like a rolling sensation. I can feel the baby at the top of my uterus and simultaneously at the bottom. Also started feeling hiccups almost daily.
Braxton Hicks?: Oddly, not as many as before, unless I am just not noticing them. Mostly when I walk I feel the tightening sensation and use it as my signal to slow down my pace.
What l am Wearing: Maternity dresses are lifesavers! Maternity jeans are great, but there's just something about being able to have the belly free. Some of my pre-pregnancy leggings have gotten too tight in the waist to wear anymore, so the ones with the belly band have been wonderful. A lot of my normal shirts still fit as they are loose sweaters or flowy tops, but they are quickly becoming belly shirts.
How we are Preparing for Baby: We took a four week birth class through our hospital and Lactation Link's free breastfeeding e-mail course to be at least somewhat prepared. We are also purchasing the last few baby items that we want/need( swaddles and a jogging stroller), getting familiar with the Willow breast pump, continuing to deep clean our home, and installing the car seat.
Looking Forward to: Seeing who this baby looks like, all of the newborn snuggles, not working, having family in town, our first Christmas in Oregon, seeing how Jericho reacts to a our baby, laying on my belly, being more comfortable when I do get to sleep, and being able to get dressed without a giant basketball in my way.
2019 was a pretty exceptional year for our family, but 2020 will be even better. We can’t wait to meet you Baby Groves!
