How far along? 29 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: About + 25 lbs, give or take a pound.
Maternity clothes? Yes. Yes indeed. My “large shirts” (non-maternity) I bought earlier in the pregnancy are starting to not be so large anymore.
Stretch marks? I can’t bare to even look at my thighs anymore. So I’ll continue to enjoy my stretchie free tummy.
Sleep: Not so good the past few nights. Cannot get comfortable. Where can I put my arms where they won’t fall asleep?!
Best moment this week: Hmmm. I guess NOT going into labor at the cabin was pretty cool.
Movement: Yes’m.
Food cravings: Everything high fat. EVERYTHING. I always want what I can’t have…
Gender: EVERYONE and their mom says girl. This week I’m kind of leaning boy again.
Labor Signs: See a couple posts below. The BH are fighting with my gallbladder to see which can be more annoying.
Belly Button in or out? Both. (And yes, it’s totally possible.)
What I miss: Junk food. Specifically those donuts pictured below. All I did was think about them just now, and my mouth is watering.
What I am looking forward to: My parents visiting this weekend!!
Weekly Wisdom: Gallbladders are annoying.
Milestones: Turned the corner into the 7th month!!
29 weeks.
Category baby business, paparazzi
The Fruit: 29-32 weeks (Month 7)
Category baby business
Yeah, that’s a squash.
Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though — as you’ve also probably noticed — they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.
In all honesty, I haven’t felt kicks to the ribs yet. Is that weird? Maybe because I’m too busy holding onto the ribs on my right side for fear of my gallbladder blowing through them.
So this pregnant lady takes a weekend trip to the north woods…
Category baby business, not so much
Alright, I knew that going on a weekend 5 hours away at 28 weeks might have been a little less than desirable, but I figured better now than in another 4 weeks, right? Right. (Just agree with me.)
For the most part, the drive up was uneventful. I was having a few more Braxton Hicks than normal, but whatever. Old news at this point. We luckily had a room in the cabin owned by a friend…which is awesome considering 12 of our closest friends were also staying at said cabin. So, I made up our beds (bunk beds, I had the top since I was SUPER claustrophobic on the bottom) and enjoyed the day. We made dinner (what I assumed to be low-fat and pro-gallbladder: chicken breasts and potatoes) and later I indulged in just ONE smore. JUST ONE. Not long after this point, the contractions were getting to be annoying and slightly worrisome, so I excused myself and went to lay down with the fafillion pillows I brought with. They wouldn’t really calm down, and then my gallbladder started in on the fun. Did I mention the only toilet option was either an outhouse or a portopotty? BECAUSE THAT WAS IT. No flushing toilets. And then…the gallbladder hit. AWESOME. Needless to say, I went back to bed after some QT in the biffy and silently wished my demise to be more quick than was apparently going to play out.
The next day I felt better, gallbladder and contractions were back to normal. We spent the day in the sun and on the boat – it was quite fun. However, by evening, the braxton hicks were back in full swing. I ate dinner (this time, JUST chicken breast, and fruit) and laid on my left side…and nothing was helping. Finally, I called my clinic. I was getting worried – I was getting one every 5-10 minutes…and me being the worst mother-to-be…had NO idea where the closest hospital was should I need to go. I finally talked to the midwife on call and she suggested a hot compress of sorts and more laying down…and no more water. She attributed them to the fact that I had had a HUGE growth spurt in the past month (she kept saying “You gained FIVE POUNDS and FIVE CENTIMETERS in your fundal height” as if I wasn’t already aware of this…but apparently it’s enough to warrant additional braxton hicks.)
So, I went to bed, and after another full night’s sleep – I was better again this morning. And I couldn’t have been more excited at the prospect of spending 5 hours in the car because it meant I was THAT much closer to flushing toilets and a bed that’s not 4.5 feet off the ground.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my recap of traveling at 28 weeks with a shitty gallbladder and a uterus that just won’t quit. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of fun…but I’m seriously reconsidering any travel I may have to endure in the next couple of months.
Avocado episode, part II.
Category baby business, not so much, other people are morons
I ended up calling the nurses again yesterday about my pain, and they had me come in.
Before the midwife made his decision as to what was ailing me, he heard my complaints and aches and whatnot, then had me lay down so he could measure me and hear the baby – the old ute is 29cm long (grew by 5cm from a month ago) and he was BAFFLED at how short waisted I am. He said I have less than a foot between my hip and the bottom of my ribcage. (That’s not normal?) if I’m not already having aches in my ribs and back, they’ll be starting soon because there’s no where else for the baby to go. Great. Thanks mom! Just kidding. I know you didn’t choose this short-waisted-ness either. Do we blame my grandmother?
Anyway, he said in the end he thinks that it IS my gallbladder being a jerk, but doesn’t suspect stones or anything, just acting up with higher fat intake, less space to function and good old hormones throwing off the delicate balance of my organs. He said I just need to officially change my diet and cut out all high fat (or relatively fatty) foods. He wasn’t too concerned with the itching (my feet and hands were kind of itchy over the weekend), but said if it’s more constant and consistent that I should call in. (See the concern about itchiness of hands and feet here.) But he’s pretty secure in the thought that with a lower fat diet that I should be feeling better in no time.
The state fair starts next Thursday. So much for everything on a stick! (He said I can have a pickle on a stick, but what I really want is deep fried pickle slices dipped in ranch dressing. Nom nom nom.)
So, after all that, I ended up getting my Rhogam shot so I don’t have to go back in again tomorrow.
I’m hurting again today…just in that spot under my ribs, but dealing. It just sucks…and watching what I eat is REALLY going to suck. Not to sound like “that girl” – but I’ve never had to watch what I eat. Reading labels is very foreign to me. Although, I discovered that the donuts I bought at the grocery on Sunday may have been hurting me – 55% of daily value of SATURATED FAT in EACH ONE. Ooops. I suppose I could cut those out.
(look at that frosted goodness)
But seriously? Entenmann’s chocolate devil’s food cake donuts?! They are SO GOOD…eating one is almost worth the pain. Almost.
This is what I found on a website of what to avoid when you have gallbladder issues. It’s laughable.
Eggs, pork, onion, fowl, milk, coffee, oranges, grapefruit, corn, beans, nuts, in that order.
Trans fats
Hydrogenated, partially-hydrogenated oils
Margarine
Fried Foods
Saturated fats(even coconut oil until feeling better)
Red meats
Dairy products
Eggs
Coffee, regular or decaf
Chocolate
Ice cream
Black tea
Alcohol, beer, wine, liqueur
Fruit juice
Carbonated water
Tap water
Raddishes and turnips
Cabbage, cauliflower
Colas and all sodas
Oats (for some people)
Wheat
Barley
Rye (although the sour German ryes seem to be less troublesome)
All legumes (beans) as they tend to increase the cholesterol in the bile.
Avoid all artificial sweeteners, sugar, preservatives, refined and bleached foods (like white flour)
So, I can’t drink water, juice, milk, tea, coffee or soda. That leaves….what? This list is ridic.
WebMD’s article makes more sense. Maybe I’ll pay attention to that one instead.
Hypochondriac, party of one.
Category baby business, not so much
So, all weekend I’ve been experiencing what I’ve written off to be rib pain. Rib pain is to be expected when you have a tiny human burrowing in your uterus, which is slowly expanding into your abdomen and rib cage.
However, I’ve realized in the past two days that it’s really only in one location – my right upper abdomen. And after MORE consideration, it’s the same spot I experienced discomfort during my “avocado” episodes – aka Gallbladder attacks.
I pretty much just sit at my desk all day, holding onto my ribs on my right side. It’s not SUPER painful, but enough of an ache to me EFFING ANNOYING and is getting to be a bit of a worry. Today I made sure to stay away from high fat foods, and unless dinner from last night is still somehow plaguing me, I don’t understand why I’m in pain today.
Now the decision making time – do I call the doc’s office again (I did yesterday and the woman just said to avoid high fat foods, or thought maybe it was just plain old rib pain) and try to have them get me in today or tomorrow? Or just wait it out and talk to the MW on Thursday during my regularly scheduled appointment? I’m leaning towards waiting. The pain isn’t stopping me from working, and I’m not nauseated or anything. It’s really just more aggravating than anything. Fingers crossed it IS just rib pain and isn’t my gallbladder.
