Third Trimester: May 8, 2021 – ???
Today is July 7 – and officially (already one day into) BABY MONTH!! Baby Wilson’s due date is in ONE month! Let me repeat for added emphasis – ONE month!!
Do I sound like a broken record yet saying ‘this trimester went by so fast’?? I definitely said that at week 13, then again at week 27, and now just a few weeks away from baby’s due date and the end of the third trimester – I’m saying it yet a third time! This really has gone by so fast.
Now on Maternity Leave, the to-do lists seem to be growing in length just as fast as my bump grows in girth. What to pack in the hospital bag. Items to stuff the diaper bag. Last minute decor for the nursery. Shelf stable food items to stock the pantry. Insurance and disability companies to call. Not to mention, more than a few Non Stress Tests and Midwife appointments at my OB office this month. I looked down at some content planning for New Cotton Blend and just couldn’t believe how quickly this third trimester would be coming to a close! And how busy I would be during this last month.
Opting to share my third trimester experience with you all a few weeks early.
May 8th kicked off the start of the Third Trimester with my first Mother’s Day! Tay and I hosted a brunch for my Mom, before we headed up to Orange County to purchase my mommy car!! No better feeling celebrating new motherhood with new wheels that are safe for me, and safe for baby! We purchased a Certified Pre Owned SUV with low miles, and lots of space for our growing family.
Later on in the month, we attended the wedding of two of our best friends in Temecula Wine Country. While I loved flaunting my finally-popped bump at 28 weeks, I admittedly missed being able to sip wine at an open bar, and dance the night away in heels like I had at weddings just 7 months prior. Looking forward to this Fall, as Tay and I have 3 weddings on the calendar. Leaving sweet baby W for those nights will be tough – but am I a bad mom for already dreaming of ‘parents night out’??
End of May into mid June brought not one, but THREE (!) showers for Baby Wilson! That little nugget is already so loved, and his/her mama is forever grateful. Never ending gratitude for my MIL & SIL, my mom and sisters, and my ER Nurse Family that showered me and my little one in this trimester. With each shower, came more boxes of baby goodies and more time spent unpacking and organizing in the nursery. I remember after our first shower reflecting with my husband – oh my gosh Tay, it’s actually happening, we’re gonna be parents soon!
Mid June was a lengthy marathon of events celebrating Tay’s 30th Birthday, and 2 of the 3 baby showers. I had the pleasure of working with Kenzi Rowen Photography for our Clementine Cutie Baby Shower in June, and will be sharing a recap of that event soon! Stay tuned.
At this point in the post, you may be reading and wondering if this gal ever slowed down! And you’re while you’re not wrong (the past few months have been busy) please, don’t be fooled by the seemingly high-energy mama at these events. Week 33 brought on a slew of symptoms and fatigue I hadn’t yet experienced in pregnancy.
Symptoms in the Third Trimester I Hadn’t Yet Experienced
Frequent Urination – like every 10 minutes, no joke. you think you’re peeing often in the first and second trimesters, but there is a whole new level to that in the third trimester.
Shortness of Breath – there’s just no space left in your chest for full lung expansion! I found that bending over to tie my shoes, or simply getting dressed, now feels like a mini HITT workout.
Round Ligament Pain – the ultimate last stretch for your uterus. Getting into Tay’s truck has been tricky! While I have felt some painless Braxton Hicks that start at the top of my uterus, round ligament pain is lower, and briefly painful, usually when you’re changing positions too quickly.
Swelling – hands, feet, lips! Think Kim K post fresh lip injections. And not necessarily in a good way. Thankfully this is a morning symptom that usually subsides post workout/water intake.
Shortened Patience – I’m losing my cool way faster than I ever have before. Seems to be when I’m getting dressed, and discovering that yet another item of clothing doesn’t fit. I’m already not the most punctual person; and now adding in a meltdown when deciding what to wear, it feels as if we’ll never get out of the house.
Nasal congestion – I thought I was just getting a cold at week 34, it’s been 13 days now and we’re still stuffed up. Starting to think this is just a last-month-of-pregnancy gift. Thank you, hormones.
Fatigue – Waking up in the morning already craving a nap. But trying to nap while I have the option to!
Excessive Sweating – your body just found an even cuter way to process the extra fluid volume. Never been more thankful for our solar-powered home so we can blast the AC at 68 on the reg.
With all these aches, pains and nuisances also came so much excitement!
Baby Wilson is more active than ever! Looking back at my kick count log, baby would take about 30-40 minutes to kick 10 times – now it’s as quick as 5-10 minutes! Lil babe is itchin to break loose!
I am now obviously and visibly pregnant – and I’m surprisingly so into sharing the joy with strangers that comment on my bump! It’s been a mix of boy/girl bets, and countless labor stories shared. I’m loving hearing each and every mama’s birth story, as they are all truly so unique! Trying to approach birth with a healthy awareness of all that can possibly happen, the good, the bad, the ugly, the scary.
Nesting is surprisingly a type-A personality’s dream! I’ve never been one to shy away from cleaning out clutter. It’s exhilarating getting rid of old clothes, parting with pointless knickknacks, allowing in space for new items and experiences! At least one day a week in this trimester has been devoted to cleaning out an area of the house and organizing new items for baby. A breastfeeding basket, a diaper basket, a bookshelf, a kitchen cabinet for bottles, a pumping backpack, a car kit. Little pockets of organized, intentional collections of baby items throughout the house.
Realizing the end is in sight! This may sound morbid, but to my mothers dismay, I just wasn’t one of those women that ‘loved every minute of being pregnant’. It is a BEAUTIFUL miracle, don’t get me wrong, but I’m V ready to gain even the slightest bit of control of my body back after pushing out this sweet gift. Very much understanding the anticipated struggles of the 4th trimester, but I’m looking forward to celebrating the END of this pregnancy in just a few weeks!
Overall in this third trimester, I’ve learned to give myself even more grace than ever. And I’ve had to swallow my pride and ask for help more times than I’ve ever been comfortable with before. This. Is. Okay. I truly didn’t get to know the cliche waddling, sweating, emotional pregnant woman until this trimester. I’ve met her, and while I don’t love her, I’m proud of her!! I am only ‘her’ for a small season of life – and I get the best reward after – baby Wilson!
As in previous posts, I’ve rounded up a few of my go-to products in the Third Trimester! Read below to learn why these faves have made the list!
Jergens Natural Glow Firming Lotion – this daily lotion helped firm up my ever stretching skin, while smoothing out some uneven toned areas. Pack of 2 from Walmart.
ICE Coconut Lime Sparkling Beverages – what a tragedy to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, my husband’s 30th Birthday, and 4th of July without my beloved Tequila Soda with Lime! Picked up a value pack of these off Amazon, they satisfy my Marg or Mojito craving!
Hawthorne Athletic Leggings – These Lulu Align dupes are a pre-pregnancy favorite that have continued to grow with me and my bump for a full 9 months! I really didn’t want to purchase many maternity clothes, so I love that these are stretchy enough for pre-during-post pregnancy! One of my all time favorite amazon finds, I have 4 pairs. I wear a 6 in Lulu and wear a Medium in these. Depending on daily workouts to combat fluid retention and swelling has become even more important during the third trimester – and these leggings make me excited to workout, even at 9 months preggo.
Tums with Gas Relief – could there be a more perfect pair of symptom relief!? Pop 2 of these strawberry lemonade babies for quick relief of heartburn and bloating. Lifesavers in the third trimester, especially at night.
White Sneakers – already a fave in my closet, but even more so now! They are wide and comfortable, and forgiving for my swollen, clumsy feet. They pair well with just about every circus-tent flowy dress I’ve worn these last months of pregnancy.
Dried Medjool Dates – I’ve read mixed research on whether or not these superfruits help ripen your cervix as a preparation for labor. Regardless, they are jam packed with fiber, antioxidants, and low glycemic energy! I’m used to swearing off dried fruit eating low carb, but I’ve learned these don’t spike your blood sugar in that way! Win! Eat 2 before your morning workout.
Join in the New Cotton Blend community on Instagram – share with me your Third Trimester Experience and your new mama advice!
