I’m 39 weeks pregnant right now and already passed the point where I went into labor with Chase which means I’ve reached a point I never actually got to in my first pregnancy… The waiting game! I fully anticipated reaching my due date with Chase and never really played the “any day now” game but I definitely feel like we’re entering that territory right now and it’s really exciting.
Now that I’m 39 weeks, I wanted to share a recap of the last two weeks of pregnancy with you guys which you will find below!
Here are my past updates from this pregnancy if you’re just catching up:
- A Miracle On The Way
- The First and Second Trimester (So Far)
- PBF Baby #2: Pregnancy Weeks 20-23
- PBF Baby #2: Pregnancy Weeks 24-27
- PBF Baby #2: Pregnancy Weeks 28-31
- PBF Baby #2: Pregnancy Weeks 32-34
- PBF Baby #2: Pregnancy Weeks 35-36
- What I’m Going To Pack In My Hospital Bag
You may also check out all of my weekly pregnancy updates from my first pregnancy on the Pregnancy page of this blog.
And now for my most recent updates…
Baby Updates
37 Weeks
38 Weeks
At 38 weeks, baby is the size of a winter melon! He or she is roughly 19.6 inches long and weighs approximately 6.8 pounds.
Weight Gained
My weight has been all over the place during these final weeks of pregnancy.
I gained a decent amount of weight in the first and second trimesters (above average) and then I’m not sure what happened, but my weight began to stagnate and then fluctuate and decrease by a few pounds. I initially blamed nausea that surfaced again with a bang almost daily several weeks ago and a dwindling appetite around dinner time but in the same breath I feel like I’m eating a lot and snacking constantly throughout the day.
I’m still within the recommended weight gain for pregnancy but went from a 30-pound gain to a 26-ish pound gain (again this is still fluctuating) which concerned me a bit.
Couple some weight loss with my belly suddenly measuring several weeks behind and that was the recipe for some anxiety over the past two weeks. During my 37-week appointment I was up 27 pounds (down a pound from the previous week) and at 38 weeks, I was down another pound. My doctor wasn’t concerned about my weight loss (apparently this is actually quite common at the end of pregnancy) but recommended an ultrasound at my 38-week appointment to check on our baby’s size when my belly measured 35 weeks since I’ve been measuring ahead almost my entire pregnancy.
You may read more about some of the stress surrounding the ultrasound in my Instagram post, but I was so grateful to learn that our baby is looking wonderful and measuring in the 60th percentile. (At my appointment the sonographer estimated our baby to weigh about 7 pounds 2 ounces!) Apparently our little one is getting everything it needs and growing just fine which was the biggest relief. I know Chase was a little baby but since we attributed his size to previous placental issues I do not have in this pregnancy, I couldn’t help but feel worried about our little one.
Workouts
Workouts are all over the place right now and pretty slow-paced. I’m working out 3-ish days a week and doing some modified boot camp workouts or strength training in our garage or at the gym. I also try to get out for a 2-3 mile walk with Sadie when I don’t get a formal workout in which makes me feel more energetic. My workout motivation is rather low lately but I always feel 10 times better from a physical standpoint when I move my body a bit during the day.
Symptoms
The biggest new-to-me change that happened during the 37th week of my pregnancy is that I began experiencing semi-frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. They never feel painful but they are uncomfortable, especially when they happen in the middle of the night. My whole stomach will feel hard as a rock for just under a minute and then go back to normal. There’s no pattern or predictability associated with the contractions but they’re happening randomly on a daily basis right now.
(Ryan hasn’t cut his hair since we found out we were expecting and is growing it out until our baby arrives! Check out those waaaves!)
I also noticed myself feeling more and more exhausted by the end of the day and that seemed to culminate around week 37. (Last week, during my 38th week, I thankfully got a random burst of energy!) During week 37, however, there was something about the arrival of 4 p.m. that made me want curl up in a ball and sleep for the rest of the day. That wasn’t possible with Chase in the mix and I think the exhaustion I’ve felt during this pregnancy can be largely attributed to running after a toddler all day long. There’s not a ton of sitting and relaxing when Chase is up and about, that’s for sure! (This is also one of the main things that intimidates me about newborn life this time around!)
As I mentioned above, a switch seemed to flip last week and I honestly felt better during week 38th than I’ve felt in months. I’m not sure what was going on, but I felt more energetic and my body felt more comfortable – less aches and pains – than it has in a long time. Some people said this could mean the baby is dropping and while I feel like this may slowly be happening, I don’t feel like labor is right around the corner just yet. Still, an unexpected burst of energy was a very welcomed treat, especially since I felt quite uncomfortable and rather cranky just one week earlier.
Food Aversions
Similar to the past two weeks, I don’t have any strong aversions but my appetite definitely decreases throughout the day. I often feel like I eat a decent amount before 11 a.m. and then have to stick with smaller snacks the rest of the day or I’ll feel overly stuffed. It’s almost like my food is sitting high up in my ribs if I overeat at the end of the day, so mini meals and snacks are key for me right now as the days go on.
I had a few days where I found myself snacking on crackers or a couple of pieces of bread before bed because my stomach felt like it needed something but absolutely nothing else appealed to me.
Food Cravings
Carbs, carbs and more carbs. I’m snacking on cereal, slices of bread and crackers like it’s my job right now. Oatmeal is my favorite breakfast and I’m eating a big bowl of it almost daily. I am also still on the fruit obsession train and eating my bodyweight in watermelon, grapes and berries. And then there’s always chocolate and ice cream which I find myself craving on a daily basis.
Sleep
I am still waking up constantly in the night to go to the bathroom (we’re talking five times which isn’t so fun) and struggled with a night or two of restlessness where I woke up in the middle of the night and tossed and turned for a couple of hours. At 38 weeks, I had a few more solid nights of sleep (maybe this is why I felt more energetic!?) which was so, so nice and definitely not the norm around here.
Any Baby/Pregnancy Related Purchases?
I started to organize my hospital bag and we brought a lot of stuff down from our attic that we used and loved when Chase was a baby.
This made me realize we don’t have a ton of newborn size clothes for either a boy or a girl. (Chase lived in a diaper for much of the summer since I basically hibernated at home with him for a while and it was SO hot outside that summer – record temps in Charlotte!) I ended up ordering a couple newborn-size baby clothes so our baby won’t be naked since I have a feeling I’ll be out and about with this little one a lot earlier than I was with Chase since I’ll have a toddler to entertain as well.
I also have two pairs of comfy nursing-friendly pajamas packed and ended up ordering the long sleeve + pants version of the short sleeve + shorts version of my previous favorite super-soft pajamas.
Belly Button In or Out?
My belly button is definitely out right now but not overly noticeable through clothing.
Feeling…
On a walk with Ryan and Sadie over the weekend, I told Ryan I’m feeling like my life is majorly in limbo right now. There’s so much up in the air which is just crazy! When will our baby arrive? What will labor be like this time? Will we have a boy or a girl? How will Chase adjust to being a big brother? What will blogging look like with two kids in the mix? How will our family dynamic shift? So many unanswered questions but this limbo time also feels really exciting!
I’m also feeling this odd sense of anticipation and a huge understanding of how completely my life is about to change in a very permanent way. I am on the cusp of meeting a little person who is going to completely capture my heart all over again and know that the feelings of love, devotion, protection and vulnerability I already feel will only grow by the day.
During my first pregnancy, I remember feeling so much love for Chase and excitement for the future but there’s something about this pregnancy that feels different. In a way, I spent a lot of my first pregnancy in disbelief (that’s probably the wrong word — but it was almost like an out of body experience at times if that makes any sense at all) and I spent a lot of time wondering what it would be like to have a child and be a mother.
This time around, I know what it’s like to have a child and be a mother and something about this understanding has made me feel more emotional, more in awe of the miracle inside of my belly and more overwhelmingly ready to have another baby. I feel like I have a very real understanding of how the intense love I’m already feeling is about grow and blow me away all over again when I physically hold my baby and watch his or her personality grow and develop.
I feel all the more grateful and very aware that there’s a very real baby in my belly… my son or daughter. Knowing that this little one is going to rock my whole world in the best way and make my heart double in size is simply awesome. And knowing that I don’t know much about this baby at all right know — both his or her personality traits, physical characteristics, etc. — is also really cool. I can’t wait to learn about our baby and get to know every part of him or her. Any day now!!!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Hi Julie! You can count me in on baby watch as well! I am so excited for you! Can’t wait to see your new little angel! I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my first and I find your updates from your pregnancy with Chase and your current pregnancy so helpful and interesting! Take care! P.S. I predict you will be having a little girl!
So thrilled for you, Viloshni! Thank you so much for following my blog and I’m so, so glad you find these updates helpful. I was addicted to reading pregnancy posts on other blogs when I was pregnant with Chase! I hope you are feeling great!!! <3
Don’t want to scare you but also want you to be informed. Those ultrasounds where they estimate baby’s size can be very inaccurate (plus/minus two pounds). My daughter was diagnosed with IUGR and actually ended up being large for her gestational age when she was born. The doctors continuously said the ultrasounds are not very reliable. :/
I’m 36 weeks with our first and while I have moments that I feel like I literally can’t wait any longer to meet him, most of the time I’m living in the “disbelief.”
It’s crazy to think that in 3-4 weeks I’ll meet this little guy God has given me to love and lead!
Baby carriers and wraps are your best friend with a second baby! We were out grocery shopping with baby a day after and a baseball game a week after we got home. Toddlers aren’t fans of just sitting around and honestly it is nice being out. The wrap was nice bc it kept all the grandma hands away!
Julie, I am so excited for you all! I pray for a safe delivery and I cannot wait to see if you all have a boy or girl! I don’t know you very well personally, but through following you for the last 7 years via blog, I know that you will make an amazing mom to both Chase and the new baby!
On baby watch over here in Massachusetts too! So excited for you all! With my first I had him a day early so I felt like I never stressed about when he’d show up…I just always focused on the due date so it was a nice surprise having him a day early. With our second I went a week late! I was like “this isn’t suppose to happen with the second!” haha It was so weird going late…I became delusional and started to think I’d be pregnant forever! I finally had my membranes stripped and baby girl showed up the next morning.
So interesting! I think I just had in my head this one will be early because of Chase but I truly don’t feel like labor is around the corner at all right now. A week late definitely sounds like a mind game!!! Phew!
Hi Julie! All 3 of y’all look so happy right now, despite the waiting 🙂 My son is a few weeks younger than Chase and we had a little girl 3 months ago (she was a gender surprise too!). It’s so nerve wracking and exciting those last few weeks (my son came early too and our daughter came on her due date, those last unfamiliar weeks with her were so WEIRD!).
You look great!! Also, my family is headed to Jax Beach for the weekend (we live in Charleston). Where should we get brunch on Fathers Day?
“unfamiliar weeks” is a great way to describe the way i’m feeling right now! uncharted territory!! i hope you and your family enjoy jax beach! my family and i went to the brunch at casa marina and also one ocean before and it was wonderful!
I’m at the beginning of week 38 and it’s so incredibly crazy that in just a few shorts days or couple of weeks (who knows!) everything will change! I already feel like the waiting game is going on and and I’m so, so nervous being at work these days (last pregnancy my water broke, with no other symptoms) Darn awful winter weather extending our school year!!!
I am totally with you on the eating thing…I wake up starving and eat fine in the morning, but by afternoon….no appetite whatsoever and I just have to snack. I remember one of the hardest things the first time around was just being alone all day with a newborn (my husband didn’t have much time off at all) but I have a feeling we’ll be out and about so much more this time around. My older daughter will still be in daycare, as she is thriving there, so I know at the very least I’ll be in and out a couple times most days 🙂
Aw you’re so close, too!!! And it’s nice to know I’m not alone in the weird eating thing! I’ve already had a bowl of oatmeal, a cup of yogurt with nuts and berries and a bowl of cereal this morning and it’s not even 10 a.m. — but then it seems like almost every day I begin to feel almost indifferent toward food by 4 p.m. and will just snack. It’s so weird how appetite/food patters/preferences change so much right up until the end!
I am so excited for you! I can really relate to you because I am expecting #2 in October and have a 13 month old baby boy. I really enjoyed reading the last part of your post… I spent the first trimester in disbelief… There was no way that we could be so lucky and after the hardships I have seen friends and family go through, I couldn’t believe I got pregnant so fast and that it would “stick”. So I almost didn’t ever think about it… But now at 20 weeks, I am eerily calm and ready for baby #2.
With your first, there are so so so many unknowns. The pregnant, birth, seeing your baby for the first time… It is be best moment of your life seeing your baby being born but I was also like, “OMG that just came out of me?!? There really was a little baby in there?!?!” Now, I know exactly what to expect and know that that tiny being is going to turn into… A member of my precious family.
I am excited for you and can’t wait to keep reading while I await by #2.
I just had my second baby at 40 weeks + 6 days and experienced almost identical weight gain and fluctuation at the end. My first baby was born 38 weeks + 5 days so I can totally relate on being so surprised by the waiting game! Remember your body is still using a ton of energy so don’t worry about the weight. Almost there!!!
On baby watch!! Maybe it will be a Father’s Day baby that’s
My guess. Will your mom be staying with you to help again this time around?
So close so close!! Oh man, BH’s are so uncomfortable! My mother in law is a lactation consultant and she always told me that you WANT to have them because they’re helping your body prepare and practice for the first time! Kind of like a trial run! So that’s a good thing! I can totally relate on the feeling like your life is in limbo expecting baby #2. It’s a completely different ‘excitement’ than with baby #1 because you already know what to expect, but you also already had this immense love for your first baby that you can’t imagine feeling again!
I’m definitely one of the baby watchers, simply because I’ve been reading this blog since before you were engaged (which is so astonishing to me that I’ve been following along for SO long now!) I’m never quite sure, but I think I found it from a google search about fitness and protein, which is kind of crazy that that led to being a long time reader! I remember all the apartments and the early cooking tips and so on. It’s fun to follow along!
I’m very happy for you, and following along on this ride is so fun, because I can “feel” your excitement through the interwebs! I also think it’s adorable that Ryan has been growing out his hair until the baby comes, kind of like a modern day Sampson! Anyhow, I’m rooting for your family of soon-to-be-5!
I just love reading about your pregnancy, Julie! I must say you are the most adorable pregnant lady eve! 🙂 I’m so excited for you and your family! Xoxo
Do you and Ryan have a boy and girl name picked out? Or are you waiting until you meet your little one? I’m so excited for you guys!
We STILL don’t! Ah! It’s looking like it will be a hospital decision!
Another reader sending you, the baby, and the rest of the fam all the best wishes! I honestly thought about you on Saturday evening because I didn’t think you’d posted anything on social media that day and so wondered if the labor had started. But no, the baby watch continues 🙂
You are sooooo close! I’m so excited to hear!!!
So happy for you! Enjoy the last weeks of this pregnancy.
Hi Julie!
How exciting for you! Can’t wait to hear more. Okay …. I have a question that I hope you can answer….
I know Sadie is no longer a puppy so this might completely pertain to my question. But I have a 4 and 6 year old and we have a new German Shepherd pup. He’s almost a year now. Here’s my question ….. You seem to be able to handle Sadie and Chase during outtings whether that be walking, going to the park, etc. Is Sadie off leash trained? Or how in the world do you keep Sadie from running around, pulling and wanting to explore with also having to watch Chase, carrying him around everywhere when he was a baby, etc? Will Sadie just sit there and wait for you to put the picnic blanket out and get everything set up and then just lay down like a good girl? If so …. I’m so jealous! I would love to hear a post at some point about a day in the life of a Mom, toddler, newborn and dog … all while Dad’s at work!” 🙂 Anyways …. don’t worry about that now …. it’s all baby stuff in your head at this point. But just wondering … because I’m finding it exhausting and I don’t even have a baby anymore 🙂 Thanks Julie!
Good luck, Julie! As always it’s so fun to follow your journey.
Hi Julie. I spent the weekend at adoption Events for homeless cats and dogs. By Sunday the volunteers were asking if you had gone yet?!!!!!! Lol!! We all think girl and we will be at a big event Sat and Sun on Baby Watch again if you are still waiting. Best of luck and I remember that vacation to Michu Pichu!!’ That was a long time ago!!!!!
Hi Julie! I’m wondering what your placenta issues were with Chase! I had my first baby three months ago and had to be induced because the doctor was concerned about fluid levels. He ended up being 5 lbs 8 oz and my placenta was almost completely abrupted when I delivered. I’m worried this might be a concern for future pregnancies! Is that similar to what happened to you? Would love to know your experience !
You’re so close! I’m a first-time mom-to-be (18 weeks) and find your pregnancy updates so reassuring and comforting since I have NO idea what to expect. I’m also re-reading all your Chase pregnancy posts and finding a million recommendations for your favorite products which is a huge help. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! So excited to (virtually) meet this little boy or girl 🙂
Thank you for this comment, Steph! And huge congrats to you! I’m so, so happy my updates have been helpful for you!
Im a first time mom and have been following you since before chase. So excited to follow along. Im 19 weeks and wondering where you have found your work out tanks? Thanks!
Thank you for reading for so lone, Arie!! <3 And huge congrats to you! I've mainly been wearing my old lululemon racerback tanks this pregnancy since they're really long in length and super stretch (aka they can easily accommodate a growing belly). I also borrowed some workout tops from a friend and my absolute favorite tops have been the Beyond the Bump brand by Beyond Yoga! And I picked up a few cheaper tops from Marshalls in 2x my normal size which also work well!
Thanks! Its hard to find a wide range of clothing as I grow.
Totally on baby watch over here, my friend! 🙂