Comparing pregnancies

A common phrase used for pregnancy is..
every pregnancy/labor/baby is different.

I know this is something I say to my patients on a regular basis because what works for baby A doesn't always work for baby B and vise versa.

(I want to say these are around the same weeks for comparison)

Since this is my second pregnancy I do not have a lot of experience, but though that it would be fun to do a comparison of some common pregnancy symptoms.

A: is my pregnancy with W (girl)

B: is my current pregnancy (37+weeks with baby boy) 

Nausea/morning sickness: 

A: vomited once most likely due to food poisoning 

B: vomited once most likely due to a 24 bug

Heart burn: 

A: none

B: yes, I have actually had to take tums. It could be worse. 

Acne: 

A: no

B: none

Stretch marks:
A: yes on my thighs and stomach

B: none

Swelling: 

A: yes EVERYWHERE

B: on occasion and mostly just in my ankles (joints) the left more than the right

Food cravings: 

A: spicy (I don't normally do spicy) chicken wings and milk (I also don't drink a lot of milk)

B: fish- I have been eating my allotted two cans of tuna every week 

Headaches:

A: none

B: yes, especially the first half of the pregnancy 

Fatigue:

A: all the time, I always felt like I couldn't catch up

B: I am sleeping more than my norm (while working 5-6 hrs/day),  but I feel more energized after 7 or 8 especially having to chase a toddler all the time 

Discomfort:

A: my hips and sciatica that I was going to the chiropractor regularly around 6-8 weeks and getting monthly massages if not more for relief
B: residual hip pain I have been to the chiropractor 2 x and gotten 3 massages

Weight gain:
A: 28 lbs and weighed more at my 6 week apt
Weight was everywhere
B. 18 lbs and weight was mostly in my belly and butt

Emotions, moodiness, etc. 
A: super moody during pregnancy
B: mostly happy, some moodiness. Pretty emotional postpartum

So, I think that about covers it. Everything you wanted to know about my pregnancies

~Steph~

Introducing..

Birth story to eventually to follow

37 weeks

I AM  FULL TERM.. woo hoo!

If you wanted to recap on how I was doing with W at this time in pregnancy go Here
It's so hot right now

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +18 lbs (from the drs apt this week)

Maternity Clothes: I have a few key pieces that I am mixing with my current wardrobe 

Stretch Marks: No

Best Moment this week: getting things done and spending time with W

Miss Anything: the ability to go. Like go do things without planning or not being able to do them by myself

Movement: yes, but move,nets have changed now that he is head down

Sleep: meh! Sleeping is overrated

Food: Fruit  

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: Smells of meat 

Have you started to show:  Yes!

Gender predictions: baby boy 

Labor Signs: Some Braxton hicks, but nothing consistent 

Belly Button In or Out: Innie, but barely. Thank goodness for deep innie to begin with

Wedding ring on or off: I don't wear a ring anymore 

Happy or Moody: meh!  

Looking forward: Snuggling baby, I have been dreaming about him

~ Steph ~

36 weeks

One week til full term.. woo hoo!

If you wanted to recap on how I was doing with W at this time in pregnancy go Here
Baby is head down and measuring 7lbs 6 oz (89th %tile) from ultrasound today

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +17lbs (from the drs apt this week)

Maternity Clothes: I have a few key pieces that I am mixing with my current wardrobe 

Stretch Marks: No

Best Moment this week: Started maternity leave this week.. yay never ending lists of things to do

Miss Anything: the ability to go. Like go do things without planning or not being able to do them by myself

Movement: yes, this baby moves so much more than Willow. 

I have noticed he moves more when I eat better

Sleep: meh! Sleeping is overrated

Food: Fruit and cold things 

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: Smells of meat 

Have you started to show:  Yes!

Gender predictions: baby boy 


(This one shows a little more belly)

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button In or Out: Innie, but barely 

Wedding ring on or off: I don't wear a ring anymore 

Happy or Moody: meh!  

Looking forward: Snuggling baby, I have been dreaming about it 

~ Steph ~

34 weeks

Single digit weeks.. woo hoo!

If you wanted to recap on how I was doing with W at this time in pregnancy go Here

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +18lbs (from the drs apt this week)

Maternity Clothes: I have a few key pieces that I am mixing with my current wardrobe 

Stretch Marks: No

Best Moment this week: Being super busy this week and nesting is in full force 

Miss Anything: not having to pee every few minutes

Movement: yes, this baby moves so much more than Willow. 
I have noticed he moves more when I eat better

Sleep: meh!

Food: BJ's pizza and there homemade root beer.. my super craving 

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: Smells of meat 

Have you started to show:  Yes and I feel like I have doubled in size from last week to this week 

Gender predictions: baby boy 

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button In or Out: Innie still, but barely 

Wedding ring on or off: I don't wear a ring anymore 

Happy or Moody: happy 

Looking forward: Snuggling baby, I have been dreaming about it 

~ Steph ~

32 weeks

Here is my 32week update

If you want to compare where I was with W around the same time, go Here

I started to take pictures without my shirt on because I like the way it looks.
I like that it shows my imperfections and flaws, but also the real me.

How Far Along: 32weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +15lbs (from the drs apt this week)

Maternity Clothes: I have a few key pieces that I am mixing with my current wardrobe 

Stretch Marks: No

Best Moment this week: Getting ready for the baby shower, meeting with our doula and nesting (starting baby laundry) 

Miss Anything: being able to go do things like I use to without thinking about it such as hiking with 40 lb W, which I am starting to not tolerate 

Movement: yes, this baby moves so much more than Willow. I have noticed he moves more when I eat better

Sleep: I have been doing ok, but sometimes baby doesn't get the memo we need to sleep especially at night

Food: carbs especially when I eat super healthy

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: Smells of meat 

Have you started to show:  Yes and I feel like I have doubled in size from last week to this week 
(see photos) 

At 

Gender predictions: baby boy 

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Wedding ring on or off: I don't wear a ring anymore 

Happy or Moody: mostly happy 

Looking forward: Snuggling baby, I have been dreaming about it 

~ Steph ~

26 weeks

Here we are again, another update.
Things are going well with no major complaints.
I really do love being pregnant

If you want to see how I was doing at the same stage preggos with W, go Here

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +11lbs (from the drs apt this week)

Maternity Clothes: I have a few key pieces that I am mixing with my current wardrobe 

Stretch Marks: No

Best Moment this week: being on a staycation for a total of 3 weeks and spending 3 days at Disneyland last week

Miss Anything: being able to go do things like I use to without thinking about it such as hiking with 40 lb W, which I am starting to not tolerate 

Movement: yes, this baby moves so much , I feel like he is using my bladder as a trampoline 

Sleep: I have been doing ok

Food: salty everything 

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: A big piece of meat like chicken or pork chops.. no thanks 

Have you started to show:  Yes, it's there

Gender predictions: baby boy 

Labor Signs: Nope 

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Wedding ring on or off: I don't wear a ring anymore 

Happy or Moody: Happy and I have a lot of energy 

Looking forward: The baby shower and all the upcoming things to do before he gets here

~ Steph ~

22 weeks

Since you guys loved all the bump updates last time, here we go again.

I am using the same set of questions as last time for reference you can always go back and check on my pregnancy with W.

 

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7 lbs (from Drs apt this week) and I am measuring a week ahead as of right now and the last we checked baby was in the 92% tile

Maternity Clothes: I treated myself to some on my birthday but also living in my LLR leggings

Stretch Marks: Nope, not yet.

Best Moment this week: spending time with the fam and W starting school

Miss Anything:sushi

Movement: Yes this baby moves a lot

Sleep: meh! I have never been a good sleeper

Food: Loving salty food

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: nope

Have you started to show: yup.

Gender predictions: IT'S A BOY!!

 

for comparison

 

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Wedding ring on or off: I don't wear a ring anymore

Happy or Moody: Mostly happy

Looking forward: Everything. It is still early, but I am looking forward to it.

~ Steph ~

Pregnancy photo project

So, I decided to try to take a photo every week to see baby's growth. As you can see towards the end I got lazy. If you missed any of the updates, you can go here

At 4 weeks, when I found out I was pregnant

                     

At 8 weeks, confirmed with an ultrasound

                                  



  
                       Week #15 I ran/walked a marathon, it sucked but I finished it

                                         
                     Week #18 at walt disney world in Florida with my mom

20 week ultrasound, confirming gender. I was team green and did not find out the gender

     

                                    


                                                      

                                                week # 30 in sacramento visiting friends

            

   
                                      34 weeks pretending I am not pregnant

                   

                                   36 weeks maternity photoshoot      

  37 weeks getting lunch with my seester

                               

 and my last week being pregnant

the last belly shot I have at 39 weeks and 4 days



It is pretty neat to see the progression over the weeks.
and.. this is what we got.



Did you do a photo montage of your pregnancy? I would love to see it.

~ Steph ~

My pregnancy must-haves

So, I know you see these lists all over Pinterest, 

but low and behold I am a little different and these are the items that worked for me.
(this can be too much detail for some people, so just stop reading now if that's you) 

As I approach the end of the this AMAZING journey, I have compiled a list of things I could not live without during my pregnancy.. they are pretty basic but life savers

1. Well one of the first signs I knew I was pregnant was that my boobs hurt for months. At the beginning of my pregnancy my boobs grew and I was no longer fitting into my regular bras. So, I had a bra fitting at Soma and they measured me a little big and these bras have gotten me through my whole pregnancy. These are the Soma Embraceable bras and I just loved the fit. It's amazing how you feel when your boobs are supported.

2. It took me over half of my pregnancy to find underwear to fit and be comfortable. These are the ones I settled on, they are the low rise cheekini's at Victoria's secret. Problems I had with other underwear is that it would not fit my butt, the leg wholes were too tight or the waist didn't fit under my belly. These just seem to be the best of all those things.

3. MY BODY PILLOW.. I bought a $10 one from target and it became my boy friend. It is the best thing since sliced bread. It supports you without kicking your husband out of the bed.

4. OK so my thighs touch and it sucks especially in shorts and dresses and than add the sun, yeah no thanks. This stuff I use while running for the same purpose and it is a life saver.

5. I lived in maternity yoga pants, they are so comfortable and you can wear them out of the house with out looking like a bum. It's part of uniform these days.

So, there you have it.. my pregnancy must haves to make you feel a little more comfortable.

What are your must haves?

Stay tuned for my work must haves (I work 12 hours on my feet)

~ Steph ~

Bump update: week# 39

  So, this week I got that burst of energy everyone talks about. Holy cow nesting has been in full effect around these parts, look for updates soon.
 This week was much better than last few weeks and the weather has been so nice, which helps everything.
I am still working for anyone that wants to know, my Dr would like me to work as long as possible but this is my last week.

How Far Along: 39 weeks.. wait, what? no way. Yeah that's crazy.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +24.5lbs (I lost 1/2 lb from Drs apt last week)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but they are getting tight

Stretch Marks: Yes.

Best Moment this week: Going on some date nights with the hubby and picking up our cloth diapers. Watching P learn how to use cloth diapers was priceless. 

Miss Anything: having my body back

Movement: I feel like it's non-stop, especially at night (when I am usually working)

Sleep: is all I want to do, it's getting more comfortable or maybe I have become a pro at adjusting all my pillows

Food: Loving fruit and anything cold

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: No my appetite picked up again

Have you started to show:  I FEEL HUGE

Gender predictions: still think it's a boy

Labor Signs: Nope no where near, I got check no dilation or effacement.. lucky me. The bean is still in there cooking 

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Wedding ring on or off: On

Happy or Moody: Happy, having more energy

Looking forward: To meeting my little bean. I can't believe I am going to have my own human soon.

~ Steph ~