But for now, here’s a glimpse back into last week’s 36 week pregnancy recap!
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 weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long… About the size of a head of romaine lettuce.
Weight Gained
At my 36-week appointment, I was up 24 pounds.
Workouts
Workouts this week remained lighter. I biked at the gym most days and incorporated some strength training, barre work and bodyweight exercises into my routine as well as one pool workout at the end of the week!
There’s something about diving into a pool that makes me so happy. Working out in the pool is nostalgic for me – I was a diver and played water polo in high school and lifeguarded in the summer – and it felt so good to swim laps and take myself through a quality cardio workout that was totally pain-free!
Symptoms
Though my sacroiliac pain seems to be lessening, I am still experiencing some lower back/hip pain that occurs mostly when I walk. I am happy to report that I’m able to walk about a mile now (oh happy day!) before the pain bothers me too much and I have to stop.
Sleep sucks right now. (More on this below.)
I feel like I’m eating a lot and my appetite seems normal, but no food (other than fruit) seems to really call to me right now. I know this is an odd thing to miss, but a lot of my favorite foods have lost their luster and that kind of bums me out! When I find myself feeling hungry, I will end up standing in front of the pantry or fridge waiting for something to call to me and nothing ever does. It’s not super fun and I end up just grabbing something easy or bland to satisfy myself. (For some reason nighttime oatmeal after dinner has been my jam lately.) Whenever Ryan asks me what I want for dinner, I’m no help at all, because I just reply “watermelon” and have no real suggestions or strong cravings these days. Fruit and sandwiches on repeat – all day every day!
Food Aversions
Nothing!
Food Cravings
Fruit, bubblegum (<—kind of a weird one, right!?), sandwiches, eggs, oatmeal
Sleep
The other morning, I jokingly said to Ryan, “I can’t wait for our baby to get here so I can finally sleep again.” Ha! I know that is a pipe dream, but right now my sleep has been horrific. I can usually make myself fall asleep at night fairly easily (reading before bed is the best way for me to make myself sleepy!) but then I wake up a billion times a night for one of two reasons: 1.) I have to pee. 2.) My stomach and boobs are itching like crazy! Perhaps my skin is streeeetching this week or something, but oh my gosh, the itching is miserable! I apply belly butter to my body in the middle of the night which does seem to help a bit, but I definitely won’t be mad when the itching decides to go away.
Looking Forward To…
Our Preparing to Parent a Baby class! We’re going to the class the day before I hit 38 weeks pregnant… Better late than never, right!?
Any Baby/Pregnancy-Related Purchases?
I’m continuing to work on filling my hospital bag and bought a ridiculously soft sleep shirt to wear post-delivery. I wanted something lightweight with buttons down the front for nursing purposes and think I found a winner! A lot of the button-down sleeps shirts I found were oddly expensive, so I was pleased to stumble upon one at Nordstrom Rack for around $30 that feels so incredibly soft. (I bought the navy and white striped one.) I actually bought a matching robe because I loved the material so much, but I’m not sure whether a terry cloth robe I have will work out okay for the hospital (I’m concerned it may be too heavy?), so we’ll see if it actually makes it into my hospital bag or gets returned in the end…
Aaand because I’m crazy, I already ordered our baby’s Christmas stocking! I figured prices would only go up as we get closer to the holidays and I found a good deal on Pottery Barn for a $13 stocking that I think will coordinate well with the stockings Ryan and I already have – and yes, I paid an extra $9 to have it embroidered with our baby boy’s name. (Let’s hope we don’t change our minds on that one once he’s born!)
Belly Button In Or Out?
Out! But still not overly noticeable through clothing.
Feeling…
A bit impatient! For a while there I felt like things were trucking along smoothly and I wasn’t overly preoccupied by thoughts about childbirth and when our baby would come and then, after our childbirth prep class, it’s consuming my mind! Of course I want our little guy to come when he’s ready and continue growing healthy and strong, but with each day that passes, I definitely feel myself becoming and more restless and ready to get this show on the road!
I’ve heard and read about so many birth stories when babies come at 37, 38 and 39 weeks and others when babies don’t come for a week (or more!) after their due date, so I cannot help but wonder where we will fall on the spectrum.
I’m also feeling bigger and bigger each day. I know this is probably a weird way to feel, but sometimes I feel like my stomach is the least-pregnant looking part of me. I seriously feel like I’m pregnant in my arms, thighs and face right now! Everything just feels softer. The baby is taking over my whole boooody.
Any Movement?
Yes! Lots of rolling movements that are so fun to watch and feel! It’s still so wild to me to look down at my belly and follow our little boy’s movements as they seem to travel across my stomach. I think I’m really going to miss feeling him move inside my belly when I’m no longer pregnant, so I am finding myself pausing to really watch, feel and enjoy them more and more!
Any Fun Stories?
I think we finally have a middle name picked out! We’ve had a first name for months now (I’m not planning to share it publicly until after he is born) and have been struggling with a middle name for a while. Our baby’s middle name has become a bit of a joke between me and Ryan – we’ve laughed about everything from just the letter “O” – as in Baby O’Fagan – to ridiculous celebrity names like Baby David Guetta Fagan. We actually said that after he’s born, when the hospital goes to write his name on the whiteboard outside of the delivery room, we want them to write Baby David Guetta Fagan because it cracks us up.
Ryan and I have also talked about what music I’ll want to listen to when I’m in labor. I’ve always been really into music and know the impact is has on my mind and body (music truly has the power to motivate me and change my mood) and when I’ve read about the music other moms have listened to in the delivery room, I am worried my doctor and nurses are in for a real treat with me. I’m not really into the calming stuff and think we may be pushing a baby out to Dubstep/EDM… Maybe the calming music will be preferred during contractions/when I am trying to get myself to relax? I do love Enya…
Random question for the mamas: If you used music to help distract/calm/motivate you during labor, what music did you listen to? I’m oddly curious!
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You look so beautiful! I hope you manage to get a few really solid nights of sleep before he comes. And that is so funny about the “Baby David Guetta Fagan” haha!
I went into labor at 37 weeks 1 day so get ready girl ya never know!! I didn’t do any music cuz I’m not a huge music person but I had my husband, mom, and sister in the room to distract me. You’ll be great!
I had a c-section scheduled for 39 weeks (because of a previous spinal fusion, the doctor recommended it) but my water broke at exactly 37 weeks. Be prepared that it may not be a huge gush. Mine felt like I was peeing myself every time I moved and it never really “gushed” like they show in movies.
I was over a week late, it was miserable waiting 🙁 I don’t know what your plans for getting an epidural are, but if you don’t I can almost guarantee you won’t really care/hear the music in the background. It’s an all consuming experience, one that as I’m sure you have heard is worth every moment when you see your baby boy. But I won’t lie to you…epidurals might be the greatest creation by man 😉
Completely agree lol! I had a natural birth with my first and don’t even remember anything that was going on in the background. The parking lot attendant could have been watching and I wouldn’t have cared.
You are glowing!! As for the itchiness you should speak with your doctor, maybe he/she can investigate for Cholestasis of pregnancy. I’m a L&D nurse and its a condition that can arise at the last month or so of the pregnancy. Don`t be alarmed, it could be totally normal too 🙂 Best of Luck!!!
You look so cute with that belly! I listened to cool jazz channel on Pandora which was great, even the nurses all commented how relaxing my room was. Haha, well in the beginning before things got real!
Also, I know it sounds strange to say you can’t wait for the baby to come to get sleep but I was the same! I will say sleep gets so much more comfortable after delivery. I dreaded night time when I was pregnant!
Have you tried taking Unisom to help you sleep? Since getting pregnant, it is the only way I can get a full nights sleep. If I don’t take it, I have horrible insomnia and will lie awake for hours.
I took Unisom during my second pregnancy and it helped soooo much!!!!
You look so lovely! I had a playlist of all of my favorite songs. I’m more into mellow music and it was a mixture of Gungor, worship, and even enya!
I listened to a lot of Counting Crows while I was in labor. Honestly, though, after a couple of hours, I wasn’t even aware of the music.
Have you had professional maternity photos taken? I love mine and am so glad I did it, to have it to look back on. My 2 year old daughter even loves looking at them. You look so beautiful, I think it would be something you would cherish.
if it’s any consolation, I found life (and sleep) with a newborn so much easier than those final weeks of pregnancy. You look wonderful, btw! He will be here before you know it 🙂
I feel like baby boy names are HARD. We didn’t name our son until a few days before he was born. I really wanted a “meaningful” name, and planned his middle name to be Ryan since my husband and brother share the same middle name. In the end, we gave him the same middle name as my husband’s passed father, and Ryan as his first name, ending with Ryan Richard.
Benedryl or tylenol PM will help you sleep! Talk to your doctor, but i was having sleep trouble as well and was recommended this by my doctor. Enjoy what you can of the last few week!
You look great! So exciting that you’re getting so close!
You look amazing!! One thing about music… you’d be surprised…. an orthopedic surgeon I used to work with while I was getting my graduate degree used to LOVE listening to Skrillex. The first time I scrubbed in with him and the RN turned on the speakers I was convinced I was being punked… I was not. 6 hours of Skrillex later…. surgery was done. Haha.
I, like you, gravitated toward the more upbeat music. Something that made me want to get up and dance if I could, but instead had me moving as much as I could in the hospital bed. Right before I had my first, I fell in love with Norah Jones and Colbie Caillats’ voices (and albums!) so I threw in a few tracks from them to add in some relaxing/calming music. Although Colbie Caillats’ song Capri on her Coco album totally had me in tears when it came on. Beautiful song that spoke to me on so many levels.
Hope the waiting game gets easier!
I love those two songs of hers too!
I ended up having a last minute C but for the hours before, Nick at Night actually kept me going. There is something about 90s reruns (everyone loves Raymond etc) that kept my mind off the discomfort and kept me laughing!
Good luck!
You look absolutely stunning for being so far along!
We had music playing in the delivery room but I have no idea what. I didn’t pay much attention to it…it was my husband’s mix with plenty of guitar and rock (definitely no Enya. lol). But I do know there was one song that I insisted he turn off because it was grating on me so badly.
I had the itching problem too! OMG it was awful. And there was almost nothing I could do about it. I just kept up with the cocoa butter and sometimes used hydrocortisone (doctor approved).
You look so wonderful! Sorry your sleep has been so bad, but I’m glad you can walk and swim a little. At least it’s something!
During labor I thought I would want music, but ended up wanting silence since I was having to focus so much on staying relaxed.
I’m a big music person too and had a whole playlist of things to keeps going but you know what? I didn’t use it! I needed silence to get through it was so bizarre. I guess I felt if it was just me going through the pain I needed to keep it quiet and not share the things I was feeling/experiencing.
OMG what a good idea to look for a stocking now! I am going to do the same I think, thanks! And seriously, Baby David Guetta is cracking me up right now.
I have to say – I’m very into music and I totally knew what was playing! I played Jim Croce, Kelly Clarkson, and a lot of different assortments. This time around I am planning for some Milk Carton Kids, a new favorite! But prepare Ryan to change it on a dime because for no reason something will annoy you without reason!
Also, I don’t know if you’ve been in the hospital much but I never had. I had the most annoying nurse! I wish I had known or thought to request a different nurse. That would have made my delivery a little better. I did have my sister in the room which was super helpful. We could just look at each other and roll our eyes or she would make a request on my behalf that made it all better. My husband could stay in the moment while my sister took care of me.
Yay! Super close!
I recently saw Milk Carton Kids live! So good. I felt my baby girl moving a lot during the performance so I think she liked them, too. 🙂
I got no sleep third trimester and everyone said to “bank sleep now” while I wanted to smack them. I actually DID get more sleep with a newborn because my body physically ALLOWED me to actually get SOME sleep, whereas before, I got ZERO. my daughter was tiny so she didn’t sleep through the night and 10 weeks in, still doesn’t, but that one night feeding she has now is really no big deal compared to the absolute torture of third trimester. Your pregnancy, right down to the # weight gain is reminding me so much of my own.
I listened to several of the more “hardcore” songs from The Marshall Mathers LP 2 cd during labor. Some were pretty vulgar and we apologized to the midwife & nurse, but the beats kept me focused on something other than pain and motivated / energized. I planned to listen to show tunes too since they can be up beat and fun to sing / listen to.
I laughed when I read about your baby Xmas stocking b/c I did the same thing, only we ended up not using that name lol! I now have a stocking that says “Olivia” from pottery barn and an ornament. And this is horrible but last year (her first Christmas) I hung that stocking up I couldn’t find one I wanted so…poor Ella!
LOL!
I planned on listening to music but my labor came on so strong that it wound up being the last thing on my mind. I do remember that the Food Network was on the TV while I was pushing and in between contractions my doctor was watching hahaha. I can’t blame him because there really wasn’t anything else to do until the next contraction.
We did listen to a lot of Mumford and Sons after the baby was born. I have some very nice memories of holding my sweet boy with my husband on the cot next to us, all just listening to the music. I think about that every time I hear Mumford and Sons now 🙂
I had a bunch of labor/birthing related playlists on my iPod and ended up wanting basically silence. All the stuff I packed went unused until after baby was born!
I would recommend packing 2 bags- one for labor & delivery and leave one in the car with your boppy pillow and all that jazz for when you are finally in your room with Baby David Guetta Fagan. Pack light for L&D in case you get moved around!
You look amazing! I am so excited for your little one to arrive!
I get itchy skin sometimes (not pregnancy related) and find that olive oil calms it down more than any lotion. I also do an occasional olive oil/brown sugar scrub in the shower, which helps. Good luck!
I just gave birth 12 days ago and I listened to my wedding playlist while I was in labor. I knew it would bring back amazing memories of the best day of my life. Best to you and baby for an easy and healthy delivery!
aw, that is such a neat idea! and congratulations to you!
I actually watched episodes of Friends during the early hours of labor… kept my mind off of what was happening and kept the mood light! Once the intense part started I couldn’t focus on anything except breathing in and breathing out. Holding my husband’s hand through each one also helped calm me down a lot!
Just remember that no matter how your labor ends up going, it will definitely be one of your best experiences, and will end with you meeting the love of your life! <3
I remember that impatient feeling the last month of pregnancy. I was even more impatient because I had developed PUPPS, an intense hives rash, and the itching was non-stop! Luckily my doctor took pity on me and induced me at 39 weeks to help get rid of the rash as it starts healing after labor so that took care of guessing when the baby would come. The last month certainly feels to drag on forever but you’re almost there!
Not sure you’ll even be aware of any music going on while this is going down. I focused on my husband a lot. Talking and joking with him, and then just looking at him helped the most.
You look awesome!! I had a whole spa-like music playlist created on Spotify for labor, but once things got real, I found a lot of the noise downright irritating and ended up with the music and lights off and a strict no talking rule, haha.
The thought of music playing during delivery immediately made Push It by Salt N Pepa start playing in my head! Haha
I was 3 weeks early and not prepared at all! I thought I would for sure make it at least until my due date. I brought music and we made a special playlist for our son but we never got around to turning it on. I didn’t labor long so everything was very quick! Good luck and you look amazing!
Try natural calm magnesium powder for sleep. Also, I spent months working on my labor Playlist and couldn’t even hear the music when I was in labor. My mind was too focused on getting the job done. The only song I heard was our wedding song which was playing right after my baby was placed on my chest for the first time (by my husband who caught him).
Julie- did you get the robe and sleep shirt at Nordstrom rack or did you order it online? I’m in the market for those exact things and wondering if it’s worth a drive or just order online!
Hi Julie,
I don’t know if someone mentioned it already, but my sister had extremely itchy skin in the last couple weeks of her pregnancy with twins. She had her doctor check her out because it could be related to an issue with the liver.
It turned out fine and she gave birth about a week and a half after the itching started. Her husband had to put socks on her hands at night to keep from scratching!
Cold compresses and cold baths during the day helped relieve the itch for her, too.
Hope you have a good day!
Have a great appointment! I have been sleeping well lately (stress) and it’s so annoying. Hope you can get some sleep before baby!
I’m in my 27th week, and I keep thinking that pregnancy sleep is a test (or tease?) about raising a newborn! My sleep has been awful between pain in my sides and having to pee many times throughout the night. But who knows what our sleep will be like with a baby!
LOL I love your music choice.. That would definitely get you pumped up! 🙂 you’re so close!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me .. Cut your OWN hair!
My husband and I were just talking about our labor playlist last week! We spent so much time making it, and I don’t even remember hearing ANY of it. I thought we actually forgot to turn it on and he was like, no, it was definitely on, you just don’t remember it. Haha! But ours was just music that I like to listen to (and dance to) during normal times – so mostly bluegrass, indie/americana, and jam bands, with a few pop/top 40s mixed in.
I went into labor at 36 weeks so you’re doing great! I actually did get better sleep after the baby was born but I agree w the ladies above unisom saved my sanity!
Ha! I’ve never even heard of a labor playlist. Like a lot of other people, once things started to get intense I just wanted silence and kind of went into my own little world. I couldn’t have cared less about music or what was going on around me. But there was a Modern Family marathon on that was fun and distracting up until that part!
I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to hope for better sleep once baby arrives! I know it of course depends on the baby (and also how old they are) but ours has been sleeping thru the night since she was just under 3 months (and I’m a nursing momma, too!). She’s 11 months now and still sleeping great. I am sure things can always change in the future, but so far I’m more rested than I ever was pregnant (pregnancy insomnia, being uncomfortable due to the big belly/hot…peeing 8x/night (literally) the list goes on!). We’ll see how she does as a toddler, I have a feeling she might change her ways and be an early riser she sleeps 12+hours each night) so I am enjoying it while it lasts!!!!
I was scheduled to have a C-section at 39 weeks (baby was breech), but instead he came at 37 weeks 6 days. So be prepared for him to come at ANY time. I hope you get a little sleep soon. I had a hard time sleeping those last few weeks. But just know, you will likely not sleep at all once little man arrives. Take advantage of any naps you can get between now and then. You look great, btw!
I loved having Music on during labor.. I listened to Explosions in the Sky the entire time 🙂
You look fantastic! I could totally see myself listening to a running playlist because lets be honest-labor is the marathon of your life!