Labor intensive: The third trimester

Me, at 7 Months Pregnant

Week 32. This is going by faster than I ever imagined! Baby is around three to four pounds now, and amazingly active. S/he can hear sounds both inside and outside, has functioning eyelids, and can tell the difference between light and dark. Most all internal organs are formed and functional; and baby’s bone marrow is making his/her own blood cells. I’m constantly in awe that the human body just knows what to do without any thought or intention on our part!

I do feel some Braxton Hicks contractions sometimes. They are just mild cramps that occur as my body prepares itself for labor. Labor. That’s a sobering thought, as my pregnancy winds to the end. We don’t have our childbirth classes at Magee until next month, so I’m still not sure exactly what to expect. Friends give me mixed reviews. Some say it is the worst pain ever, and to never even attempt it without an epidural. Others say it hurts, of course, but it’s really not as bad as some people make it sound, and that they were fine without the epidural. We are going to create a birthing plan once we complete the class. I’m sure I’ll be much more anxious about the whole thing then!

I think as scary as labor sounds, what worries me most right now is baby coming early. Early as in before our gender-reveal party, and before we take the childbirth classes. I know I really don’t have any control over that, and there’s really no reason for me to think that might happen. But it’s a persistent thought these days. My doctor tells me everything is progressing as it should, and that’s reassuring.

I have had some strange dreams lately, too. I guess that’s common for the third trimester. In several dreams, the baby I give birth to is actually a child, between the ages of, I’d say, 6 to 10. I think it’s stemming from how large I feel like I’m getting, and a concern that the baby will be large as well. But it better not come out a 6-year-old! The “baby” is a boy in all my dreams. So whatever that “means,” according to superstition! The heartburn, thankfully, has subsided, at least for the time being.

Countdown to the gender reveal:
The next time you hear from me, I will be announcing our baby’s gender as well! My husband and I — and all our family and friends — are so excited about the big reveal on February 1! Stay tuned for pictures!

In the meantime, let me know in the comments whether you think my baby is a boy or a girl! We’ll find out whose intuition is right next time!