And now here’s a little peek into my 30th week of pregnancy…
Note: All previous weekly updates and pregnancy/baby-related blog posts may be found on the Pregnancy/Baby page located at the top of this blog.
Baby Updates
Baby is 15.7 inches long and weighs almost 3 pounds… about the size of a cabbage!
Weight Gained
According to the scale at my 30-week prenatal appointment, my weight gain is holding steady around 18.5 pounds. I was actually a little worried because this is the first time I haven’t gained weight between prenatal appointments, but my doctor said everything looks right on track for an overall gain of the recommended 25 to 35 pounds and many women notice weight gain slow down a bit in the third trimester when compared to the second trimester. Plus, I feel like I am still eating all the time, so baby must be pretty darn well fed at this point!
Workouts
Thanks to our incredible BabyMoon at Canyon Ranch over the weekend, my workouts varied a little bit! I still managed to incorporate a few spinning classes into my routine, as well as two BodyPump classes and a Pure Barre class.
Symptoms
The feeling of “fullness” in my belly I mentioned last week continued this week. The feeling is still unrelated to how much I’ve had to eat and sometimes my whole belly will just feel bigger, tighter and more crowded. I told Ryan I feel like this may be when our little guy is pressed up against the outside of my stomach or something.
And I’m still feeling hot. All the time. Cool showers and swimming in the lake make me ridiculously happy right now.
I also joke that my belly has become a landing board for crumbs, spills and extra food lately. Apparently I’m quite a messy eater because I feel like I’m dripping and spilling stuff on my stomach constantly.
Oh and I’m still peeing every two seconds, but that’s nothing new.
Food Aversions
Similar to the past few weeks, nothing is sounding too horrific to me right now. While there are still foods I choose not to eat, nothing is gag-inducing anymore.
I have noticed a decrease in my desire for coffee. In the past, coffee almost always sounded fabulous but lately I feel quite indifferent toward it. I still had some decaf coffee a few times this week, but it was almost more out of habit than a real desire. Strange!
Food Cravings
- Fresh fruit (I told Ryan I am pretty convinced I could live on watermelon alone right now…)
- Big salads
- Ice cream
- Pasta
Sleep
I continue to feel like I cannot drift into a deep sleep anymore and always feel half-awake at night. I’m up a lot in the night to go to the bathroom as well. I’m surprised I’m not feeling more exhausted than I am at the end of the day, but I’m definitely ready for bed before 10 p.m. most nights.
Looking Forward To…
Another baby shower this weekend! My mom and sister are throwing me a baby shower here in Charlotte for friends and we’re having a whole gang of people (8!) coming in town to stay with us at our house and I cannot wait!! After a baby shower brunch on Saturday, we’re planning to spend the day on the lake and I am really looking forward to some quality time with my mom, sister and girlfriends.
Any Baby/Pregnancy-Related Purchases?
After having some sizing issues with my last ASOS maternity dress purchases, I ordered a backup baby shower dress from the site for my family baby shower and crossed my fingers that it would arrive in time. It thankfully did, though I didn’t have time to get it altered (it was still a little big around the chest/upper waist), but then again I’m not sure I would’ve really wanted to put more money into a maternity dress, so maybe that’s a good thing? It was a very comfortable dress, so that’s also a plus!
Belly Button In Or Out?
Flat… but starting to protrude a teeny bit!
Feeling…
I am feeling more and more ready to have our baby! Ever since I started looking and feeling more pregnant, I’ve felt increasingly ready for the next stage of this journey. I keep finding myself thinking about what life is going to be like once our baby boy is here and getting so, so excited to meet the newest member of our family.
I am also occasionally hit with a feeling that I know absolutely nothing about babies and what to do after I give birth. (I mean I just learned that you feel contractions all over your belly, not just in the lower portion of your belly which is what I always imagined. I have SO much to learn and am anxiously awaiting the childbirth prep class we registered for next month.) I just try to remind myself that women have been doing this forever and somehow it all seems to work out. I feel so grateful for a wonderful network of supportive women in my life – and for you guys since your advice and insight has truly been such a blessing to me during my pregnancy. I appreciate all the time you take to share your personal journeys with pregnancy and motherhood with me. There’s something so refreshing about connecting with other real women who have been through all of this before as opposed to just reading what I should expect to experience in pregnancy books.
Any Movement?
Yes! Our little one is moving more… mostly on the left side of my belly! I am feeling him dance around constantly and I just love it!
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Hi Julie
Just FYI it’s interesting you mentioned the weight gain slowing down. I had the same thing at my last appointment and i’m a week behind you. I was gaining 1lb a week towards the end of the second trimester and then all of a sudden it dropped to about 1lb over the space of 3-4 weeks. I was alarmed but similarly my doc said it just differs from pregnancy to pregnancy and the main thing to focus on is baby moving everyday. As long as that’s okay baby is probably having a great time tucked in there 🙂 xx
My doctor said the same thing! I think it just surprised me because I was gaining so steadily there for a while!
With all 4 of my babies I gained a moderate amount in the first trimester, the most in the second trimester, and the least in the third trimester.
I feel this is a typical pattern for women that start pregnancy petite/thin. Your body knows it needs fat stores for the baby so you can more rapidly towards the first half of pregnancy to build up the emergency fat fund. 😉
30 weeks?! Seems like you just announced your pregnancy! You look fantastic and so happy.
For me, those last 10 (well, 9 3/4!) flew by, although sone of the days felt extremely long (summer pregnancies are tough). Try to enjoy it!
As for not knowing much about labor/babies, don’t worry. The classes are really helpful (in my experience) and I promise a lot really does come naturally. As somebody who was originally mortified of pregnancy before it happened, I was amazed at how in tune I became with my body, instincts, etc.
All the best…& I hope you enjoy your upcoming shower!
Yay to 30 weeks!! You are going to be one awesome momma! <3
“sometimes my whole belly will just feel bigger, tighter and more crowded.”
sounds like that feeling of tightness could be Braxton hicks! 🙂
Has anyone recommended the book Ina Mays guide to childbirth? I just gave birth 10 weeks ago and this was the best for making me feel more comfortable. Also agree on the whole having no idea what to do after your little one comes out. Our nurses at the hospital were great and after a few weeks at home we felt more confident! Every baby is unique and he’ll tell you if he likes what you’re doing. Our baby bear likes to be held while we do stairs and bounce on my big exercise ball… even at 10 weeks she makes it clear that’s what she wants (and needs to get the bubbles out). =)
we read this book, too! 🙂 loved it.
I loved Ina May’s book. It helped me through a natural birth. While you’re reading it, you may have your doubts, but when it’s “go time,” it really gives you confidence.
i know nothing about babies either and it freaks me out – i saw a 5 day old baby in the waiting room yesterday at the dr’s and when it started crying all i could think was “OMG WHAT IF THAT WAS ME WHAT WOULD I DO WITH A CRYING BABY OMG OMG WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO IT SOUNDS SAD”. we’re going to start trying soon so i need to read a book or something.
Also, this:
http://spacefem.com/pregnant/due.php
http://sarahktyler.com/code/laborpredictor.php
I looked at it everyday once I hit ~38 or 39 weeks! Made me feel more comfortable going past 40 weeks.
I can’t believe your due date is so soon! So exciting 🙂
I totally understand the feeling of not knowing what to do once you actually have the baby. But I will tell you, you just know…and you just figure it out along the way. I had my daughter a year ago, and it’s amazing how you just get to know exactly what your new little baby needs at all times. And having a mom and girlfriends a call away is the best. You will do so great! Also….the contractions part….I only had contractions down really low, not all over my belly, so it must just be different for every woman. 🙂
I so appreciate your updates now that my husband and I have officially announced my pregnancy. I’m 14 weeks along (not showing yet though.) Do you have any recommendations about baby books? I can’t remember if you’ve done a blog post about them or not. Thanks so much!
Hooray!! Congratulations, Laura! I read quite a few pregnancy books but one that I recently read that I thought was extremely helpful and also not nearly as overwhelming as the others was Panic Free Pregnancy. The whole book is written in a Q&A format and addresses the most common questions pregnant women have in a way that is very understandable!
Praying that you get some restful sleep tonight <3
I absolutely love your pregnancy updates! I’m 30.5 weeks right now (every day counts haha) and I go between being SO READY to have this baby and realizing that I still have a million things left to do/learn. I also have started comparing this point of pregnancy with mile 22 of a marathon… Where everyone is yelling “you’re almost there!” But really it seems like the finish line is SO FAR AWAY. My husband and I are also taking our labor and delivery class next week and I already got teary eyed at the video of the hospital tour so that paints a picture of where I’m at emotionally right now…
So happy for you! Enjoy counting down the weeks in single digits (yay!!)
Aw we are so close together! Love it! We have our hospital tour coming up in two weeks and I’m really looking forward to it. 🙂
Ahh so exciting! Good luck in your final stretch!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me .. Summer dresses?!
You are so tiny! So exciting, being a mommy is so fun. 🙂
I had the same thing happen to me in my pregnancy with Hunter with the weight gain. I gained quite a bit in my 2nd trimester, and then it drastically slowed down in my 3rd tri. So far in this pregnancy, I’m on that track again!
Per usual, you are looking beautiful! I have a feeling this last stretch is going to fly!
Hi Julie, I was wondering if you planned on co-sleeping with the baby at all during the first few days or weeks home? And if so, will Sadie still be sleeping in the bed with you guys? At first I didn’t think this was something I would like to do but it ended up being extremely helpful for those night feedings when I was tired and it was easier to nurse in bed. Currently our dog is used to sleeping with us every night so I was wondering how others handle this.
So fun! I bet the tightness you feel sometimes is Braxton hicks. I had those a lot! I never felt contractions all over my body though…? Weird. These last 10 weeks will seem to go incredibly slow and some points and very fast at others. It’s normal to not feel ready. Motherhood rocks your world in every way possible. And don’t worry, I have an 8.5 month old and somedays I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. Ha!!
You might already follow and have seen this post.. but I thought it might be helpful!
http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/series-stories/the-15-things-every-new-parent-needs
Love reading about your pregnancy journey.. All the best!
Ahhh your bump is so cute! I’m SO excited for you! And for you to get to celebrate with another shower! Your little boy is so loved already!
I love that you admitted that you know nothing about taking care of a baby. I feel the same way (not pregnant though). I have no younger siblings and only baby-sat for preschool-age and older kiddos, so when I have kids I’m going to need a Babies 101 class!
Exactly!! I babysat growing up but it was always for kids in preschool/elementary school! Babies intimidate me a little bit!
Hi Julie! Another baby shower? How wonderful! And it sounds like you may be getting into an uncomfortable zone, but at least the excitement is even higher. Right? I don’t know. Childbirth and being pregnant scares me, seeing as I haven’t done it yet. I love getting the first-hand account from these posts!
I follow your blog but rarely post. I just wanted to give you a word of encouragement. Don’t fret too much about not knowing anything about babies. I didn’t either. And, I have a happy, healthy 18 month old now. You figure it out. You really do. And, the contractions thing is different for all women. I actually felt mine in my lower abdomen and around my back. Not all over my belly. But, you know what? Months later I couldn’t really recall the pain. It’s one of those things you know you just have to get through and you do. The needles, IV, the pain. It all means nothing to you when you’re in labor and when you finally meet your baby. So, don’t worry so much!
Thank you so much for this comment, Ashley!! <3
This is so exciting to read and I’m so very happy and excited for you and Ryan! I’ve been a reader for years, so it’s great to be able to share in your happiness!
Thanks so much for reading for so long! I really appreciate it!!
You look amazing!! Yay for 30 weeks!!!
You’re getting closer! I felt like reaching 30 weeks was a big deal. Also in regards to contractions, I didn’t have them in my stomach at all. It was all back and it wasn’t pleasant, haha. Totally unexpected too even though I knew that could happen from baby class.
A friend of mine mentioned a month or two back that the “fullness” feeling could be contractions, which is natural throughout pregnancy. At first she & I both thought our babies were just stretching out (and perhaps they are), but it may also be the body’s natural prep process! 🙂 As for weight gain, I may gain 2-3# one week, then not gain for a week or two. I think as long as you are eating and gaining accordingly overall, it’s natural to have ebbs & flows. I have also read in the last month of pregnancy weight gain will drop off or even decrease by a few pounds. Such an exciting time!
30 weeks! Man it has gone by fast! I felt like the last 10 weeks seemed to take forever but go by super fast all in one (can’t explain that one)! I am just so excited for you and Ryan. Becoming a mom (my daughter is almost 8 months old) has been the absolute hardest and most amazing thing I have ever done. And it’s true that it is so hard to explain it to people until you have your own kids.
I was super nervous, like you, about not knowing anything and feeling unprepared haha I literally felt like Rachel on Friends when she was pregnant with Emma and didn’t know anything about raising a baby! But honestly and I can’t explain it, but you just do it. You just figure it out, and something clicks, and you just care for your baby. I have a great support system like you do, and that makes a world of difference. My mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law (4 kids) are great resources, and I constantly ask for advice. But in the end, you kind of just figure it out because there is nothing that will come between you and your baby. Oh Julie, it is just the absolute best thing in the whole world, and I just couldn’t be happier for you both. Good luck mama!
Julie, you should be the “poster child” for the phrase “you’re all baby!” You look awesome and you are going to be an amazing mom. I felt the same way you do before I had a baby and all I can say is that experience is the best teacher. Good Luck! 🙂
I feel the same way about babies! My fiance and I are both teachers, but the extent of our baby knowledge is 3 year olds and up. We have a 20 month old niece and a 3 month old nephew & have been starting to ‘learn’ about all that is babies, but we still feel like our family looks at us like we do not have a darn clue. We’re getting married next month too, so we know the baby talk is going to start soon after. It’s reassuring to know though that we may never feel totally ‘ready’ and probably shouldn’t wait for that (non-existent) point in time before having one :p And to hear from other ladies that it just comes naturally! I can tell you will be a great mother though!!
It’s really true! It feels like you just announced your pregnancy! What an exciting journey! Hope to be there someday soon myself! Congratulations!!!
I was under the impression that all contractions hurt. (Thanks TV and movies).. And I was getting an ultrasound the last week of my pregnancy andthe ttech goes…oh you’re having a contraction. Here I thought our little guy was just stuck in an awkward position. You will know just what to do and you will learn that certain cries mean different things. For the first month I swear all his cries sounded the same. It’s amazing what we can do on such little sleep and you feel so rejuvenated even after a 10 minute cat nap. Good luck girl!
That tightness you are feeling is likely Braxton hicks contractions… your body is “practicing” for the big day 🙂
Julie don’t worry about the weight gain being less at the end. I gained a lot at the beginning and then nothing at the end and I even lost a pound at the end. Also don’t worry about knowing nothing – I felt the same way and still do with my almost 1 year old:) Learning on the job is the best and so are little boys:)
I’m 21 weeks right now and am LOVING watermelon! It’s funny you say that your belly is a catch all, because I just got some watermelon juice on mine, haha!
You’ll be fine, no one knows it all! Everyone had to learn it all once 🙂 Cool that your having another shower!!!
uhmmm you look AMAZING!! that is all 🙂
The big 3-0! Yay!
I personally felt the contractions all over my midsection & back. It was awful! So happy I got an epidural, hehe.
Just wanted to say that I have always loved how organized your blog is! I appreciate how easy it is to navigate to and find a series of posts.
And I’m lovin’ these weekly updates more than I ever knew I would. It’s fun to see everything progress, and because a friend of mine is due (also with a boy) at the same time as you, it’s been so helpful for me to read along and support her through her journey.
Welcome to your 30s 🙂
I think that feeling them move is seriously the best thing ever! You are going to be such a good momma 🙂
It’s another wonderful ride and adventure! It will be wonderful and when it’s not you have a great support system. Weird thing, when you nurse your baby (if you nurse;), milk will come out of both breasts! Haha! Crazy huh? I recommend nursing pads (have some on-hand prior to birth). They are little pads to put in your bra to catch the milk. There are disposable and reusable, don’t buy a lot at first, there are so many different kinds/shapes. It might take awhile to find the ones you like the best. Great luck!
Hi Julie! Again, you look amazing! I LOVED being pregnant, and seeing your photos reminds me of my pregnancy! It’s hard to believe that our little guy, Cade will be ONE next month. I just can’t even tell you how quickly it really does go. I loved being pregnant over the summer, and can remember LOVING cold showers and pools…and WATERMELON! 🙂
Aw! You are just too cute! I can’t believe it’s already been 30 weeks!!!
I know you guys won’t release the name. But have you chosen? 🙂
Congrats on 30 weeks!! I can’t wait until your post about having the baby! You will absolutely figure it out…and as for the contractions, I never knew people had them all over either! With my daughter I only had them super low, like period cramps. It’s so different for everyone.
Hi!! I’m new mom to 4 week old darling little girl, man how does time fly! I just wanted to encourage you to take the time now (while you have it haha) to also take a breastfeeding class or read a few books if you plan to breastfeed. For me breastfeeding has been harder and more difficult than birth, and I had a natural birth. If you have any questions about any of it Id love to answer them!
We are going to a breastfeeding class next Tuesday! I am REALLY looking forward to it and appreciate your willingness to answer any questions. <3
I am currently 19 weeks (20 on Sat.) and just found out we are having a boy! I was so happy and told my husband we would have a boy like PBR!! Hahah too funny 🙂 I would say so far in the 2nd trimester my snoogle, foot rubs, and swimming have been favorites. I am totally with you on a straw– I am able to drink so much more. I remember you asking on FB for baby registry favorites, will you do a post pre-baby on that or are you waiting to see what you like to use? We ordered the crib this week and hope to go glider/rocker shopping soon 🙂 Happy 30 weeks!
I know the changes in your sleep pattern are annoying, but looking back, they are just God’s way of helping you to prepare for what is to come. I promise all these sleepless or at least uncomfortable sleeps are just practice for being an amazing Momma to your baby boy. Our bodies are pretty amazing! And you are totally right, 10 weeks feels like a long time, but that baby will be in your arms before you know it!