Pregnancy Update: 36 Weeks
Unbelievable that I am about 4 weeks away, and possibly even less, from meeting our new baby!
And you may be happy to know (just because it proves that I am a real person, just like the rest of you) that I am not a Wonderwoman, either. I have hit somewhat of a wall, and though I still feel well overall and am grateful to be having such a healthy pregnancy, I'm tired. I'm uncomfortable. I'm achy, and not sleeping well. I'm even waddling. LOL! It's all good, though, and so very worthwhile! Pregnancy is a blessing, after all!
Nonetheless, I am grateful to have just a little bit more time before this sweet baby arrives, and am doing my best to finish up preparations, and am currently doing my best not to fall asleep at the computer as I write this blog post. 🙂 I'm actually starting to feel pretty calm and prepared about baby's arrival, which I think is due to the fact that I began preparations so much in advance. I've updated my progress on my lists again- my general to-do and my freezer meal stash.
Baby is definitely in position now (and a good position, at that), and my midwife is guessing about 4/5 engaged. Braxton-Hicks contractions have picked up, and I have more and more of them as each day progresses, especially on days when I am probably working just a bit too hard. Nothing serious, though, and I don't think I'm in danger of having baby arrive too early. Since I have smaller babies (7 lbs 11 oz and 6 lbs 6 oz), I'd like to give this one about another 2 weeks to fatten up, and then it can come whenever it likes. 🙂
One of my major focuses lately has been on preparing for the labor and birth, and though I won't go into it in too much detail (since I'm working on a post on this topic), I'll tell you just a bit of what I'm doing. I've been re-reading my book on Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, and just refreshing myself on the techniques. It feels good to review it. I've also been reading some natural birth stories on the internet, just reminding myself of all the different ways that births can happen and being encouraged by reading about other women who've had natural childbirth as well.
My goal this time is to just feel more prepared for this birth. Caden's birth, though still a positive experience, was a bit chaotic and harried for several reasons and I was not able to relax very well, either physically or mentally. I would like to have more of a sense of calm and relaxation with this birth, even if it's speedy and intense like Caden's was.
One other thing that I'm trying this time is to use prenatal herbs, specifically Dr Christopher's Pre-Natal Formula
(recommended by Lindsay). I was also considering the Gentle Birth Formula (recommended by Crystal). Both were approved and highly regarded by a midwife/naturopath who works alongside my midwife. In the end, I went with Dr. Christopher's because it came in capsules rather than a tincture and I was worried about really bad tasting herbs. 🙂 A silly reason, but I had to decide somehow! I chose to wait until I hit 35 weeks (rather than 34) to start using them, just because I do have smaller babies and didn't know how my body would respond to the herbs. So far, so good! I've also been drinking a nutrient tea (Red Raspberry, Red Clover, Nettle, Peppermint and Oatstraw) up to this point, but this week am switching over to just Red Raspberry Leaf tea, a really good choice for uterine toning and preparation.
Just a few things left to do… get the pool inflated and our room more set up for the homebirth, buy the last of my homebirth supplies, do some more gardening and preserving, start berry picking and filling up our freezer, among a few other things, but I think it's all do-able!
Thank you so much for all of the sweet offers for guest posts, as well as the many emails and comments that I have received wishing us well with this new baby, and letting me know that you are praying for me. I can't tell you how humbling it is to feel so supported by all of you lovely ladies that I have never even met, but I am grateful for it! 🙂
This will probably be my last pregnancy update until the event actually happens. I'll do my best to let you know just as soon as I can when he/she is here! Once baby is here and I start my "babymoon", you can expect a steady stream of exceptional guest posts on a really wide variety of topics, as well as cute baby and family photos, and little updates or topics of interest here and there as I decide to pipe up (I have never claimed that silence or being concise with my words was one of my strengths! LOL!).
How are the rest of the pregnant mamas doing? I always love to hear how you're doing!
you look absolutely great! Glad to hear you’re feeling great,too.
I, just like you, hit a wall around the 36 week mark and was SO glad I got all of my pre-baby list done before baby came (and she came 2 weeks early, surprisingly, so good thing!). Such a great feeling, your body is now telling you to take it easy and rest up!! 🙂
Best wishes,
Sarah M
You look great! 🙂
I also hit a wall…but then the last week I went too crazy busying myself with insane projects like moving all the living room and bedroom furniture (well my husband did the moving) and then washing the floors (hardwood). I don’t recommend doing that. LOL. Maybe it did mean that I went into labour sooner than later though, who knows. Take it as easy as you can, as you know you need the energy for birthing and postpartum too!
I wrote about our firt homebirth (4th no drugs) last august, feel free to read it if you want!
Just go to my site, scroll down and click on “August (17)” on the righthand side (it is a few posts down).
I love reading birth stories too!
hope you are well!
Just wondering what brand of tea you drink? I see it around a lot but I never know what is a good brand. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks so much for all you do for your blog. I thoroughly enjoy reading it. I have learned so much and am blessed by you and your posts.
You look way to good to be 36 weeks. God’s blessings to you as you finish preparing and experience the miracle of birth (again). I will be praying for you as God brings you to my mind.
You look great! That beautiful baby will be here before you know it.
Thank you so much for your pregnancy updates. Although you do seem like Wonderwoman(!)they are very encouraging rather than discouraging. The updates have helped in my organization as the days race towards the arrival of our #4. I will look forward to your post about preparing for labour and delivery. I’m set to make some labour-aid. I have had good births but chaotic is a word that comes to mind with two of them. I am a little anxious about a chaotic and hectic labour and would love to learn how to prep for peace. Mind you today this baby truly feels like it is about to drop out it is soooooo low and nothing but chaos would ensue if it did! My list for today has become “keep baby in” so alot of sitting and lying on my left is going on. I NEED this baby in for another month. We have our first commercial blueberry harvest to pick and sell before it arrives. By the way my first was 7lb.11oz. and my second 5lb.12oz. and my third 7lb14oz. Judging by your picture we look to be similar size in pregnancy so I’ll be interested to know how big that babe of yours is. grace and peace be yours as you head into the final weeks. And thanks for keeping up the blog until d-day. It’s so valuable.
have a great birth!
one thing that really helped me with my birth was to just go into the pain (which was pretty intense, because i needed pitocin, which intensifies contractions, but was not taking an epidural) rather than avoid it at all. like to really be in it and watch it, but to totally let it go when it was not present. not to think about it or anticipate the next wave. my midwife would catch me still reacting to a contraction when it was over and would say “let it go” and it was very helpful. no matter what happens, you are a gentle warrior and will get through it triumphantly no matter what!
Aww, pregnancy agrees with you!
You look so healthy and pretty. I just read a neat birth story with a water pool and all. http://boojes.blogspot.com/2009/07/sparkys-birth-story.html I think it sounds so sweet.
I enjoy reading your baby updates. I’m six weeks right now….shhh don’t tell anyone. My parents don’t even know yet. I had a miscarriage a couple of months ago at 8 weeks, so I have really mixed emotions and tons of prayers. I hope this one stays. Blessings to you and the little one!
Good for you getting so much done! I’ve been enjoying reading your blog for many months, but especially lately because I’m at 34 weeks with my third too, and also have a 5 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. I’ve started to feel tired too, and huge, and all of that, but as you say, the end result is so worth it. I also think seeing their mama struggle (I had bad nausea until 20 weeks, and now have nasty back spasms) has taught my children a lot about empathy, being kind, and the importance of us all helping each other. I love being able to see the silver lining on hard days.
I agree with previous posters, I love reading your blog! I have been reading for about 3 or 4 months now and it has helped me to make the deicision to attempt a natural childbirth with our first, due Sept 20th 🙂
I am so excited to meet this little one after a long struggle getting pregnant (as I also have PCOS). I am in my 30th week and still scrambling to finish quite a bit before this baby comes. We were in the middle of quite a few remodeling projects when we found out we were pregnant…lol. I will feel much more prepared when the hardwood floors are refinished.
You look great! I’m glad you have been able to get so much done in preparation of the birth of your precious little one. Our son ended up coming 4 weeks early and while things at home were finished I hadn’t even thought about packing for our stay at the birthing center.
We just found out that we are expecting our 3rd. I’m still really early in this pregnancy (only about 6 weeks), so by March we should be the blessed parents of 3 under the age of three!
Whew! Looking at your to do (and to-done!) lists makes me hurt.. I’ll be “officially” 36 weeks tomorrow, I think, and am having a hard time keeping up with the ‘regular’ stuff, let alone the “baby preparedness” plan!
My midwife has me on the Gentle Birth stuff, and it’s not bad at all, herb-wise. My previous midwife had me taking tinctures of blue (?) cohosh 3 times a day, and some other stuff – now THAT was nasty. What an additional blessing after delivery to do away with THAT routine! 🙂
You look great! I am at 35 weeks and headed for another 9 lb+ baby it seems. (My others were 8-8 two weeks early and 9-9, so 9 seems normal). 😛 I too have had the strongest cleaning urges (scrubbing all the tubs and wood floors!) Thank you for the reminder about the herbs – I need to get on that!
Enjoy your last few weeks- and get lots of rest (you never know when the time will come, and then you won’t be getting much sleep for awhile)
And can I just say, you look absolutely radiant!
Katie, I’ve been using loose teas. My nutrient tea came from my naturopath’s office, and the red raspberry is from a local company called Gaia’s Garden. I just use a french press (as in, one meant for coffee) and brew it full of tea, then sip on it throughout the day. If you want to buy bagged tea, I know that Traditional Medicinals makes a nice Red Raspberry Leaf tea.
Wow, congrats C! Praying this time for a healthy pregnancy and baby!
You look gorgeous! Wow! I love reading your pregnancy updates. 🙂
I’m 26 weeks, and cracking down on preparation for my upcoming VBAC. I can’t have a homebirth, so I will be giving birth in a birthing center within a hospital, but I met with my new midwife today, and explained to her what I want and need, and told her that I don’t even want anyone coming near me during the birth LOL. I want NO interventions whatsoever. I absolutely love my midwife and my doula, and I’m confident this birth will be 209348023984 times better than my first!
I can’t wait to see pics of the new little one! Good luck with the birth – hope all goes smoothly.
Wow! You look amazing and have such a great attitude. I am 37 and half weeks pregnant with my third (I have a 3 year old daughter and an almost 2 year old son). I don’t look or feel as good as you do right now. I know you consider pregnancy to be a blessing, but I just want to hold my baby in my arms and be done with the pregnancy (I really am a terrible pregnant lady). You sound so calm and at ease. Maybe it is the tea. I hope and pray that you have an easy delivery/labor and a healthy baby. My SIL tried the Bradly method with her third and it went really well. I am actually having a c-section. With my first I tore so badly and then with my second I needed a c-section and I did not realize the new practice that my doctor is at will not let you have a VBAC so a c-section it is. I wish you the best. 🙂