Category Archives: pregnancy

40 Weeks of Pregnancy – Week 34

It is Monday, and time for another week’s worth of pregnancy information in my week by week pregnancy guide. If you want to peruse previous weeks, scroll to the bottom.

Week 34

I have said this before, and I am going to say this again. By this point, please make sure you have filled out the paperwork with your hospital. You have no idea uncomfortable it could be if you have to do everything right then and there. With Munchie I preregistered, and it was the easiest thing ever. I showed up. They put me in a room. Done. With Ducky, even though I preregistered, they lost my paper work. So I got to experience what it would be like had I not preregistered. I am usually pretty mild mannered and calm. Until there is a baby clawing its way out of me and you are asking me to repeat my street address for the fourth time.

Now would also be a good time to pack up all your stuff for the hospital. I made this list in case you don’t know where to begin.

I wear contacts. Because I am as blind as a bat. Except I don’t have awesome sonar. I thought my vision was going but then my doctor told me that this is normal, and it will come back. Sure enough it did. So before you get your eyes checked out and a new prescription, check with your doctor.

Otherwise, all the regular symptoms will continue. Nothing new to report. Just try to enjoy these last few weeks.

If you want to catch up…

40 Weeks of Pregnancy – Week 33

Welcome to the newest installment of my pregnancy week by week guide. This week we will be looking at Week 33. If you want to catch up with previous weeks, scroll to the bottom.

Week 33

Not a whole lot is going on this week, except that you are counting the days until you give birth. When I was pregnant I loved it, but I was more anxious to meet my little one than anything else. Not to mention my back was killing me.

Since your baby will be coming in a matter of weeks, this is a great time to finalize any last minute stuff for his/her arrival. Is the baby’s room ready? Do you have a crib? Do you have a stroller? Most importantly, do you have a car seat? You don’t want to wait until your baby is born to get it, because you won’t be able to leave the hospital until you can prove you have a car seat for your little one. But make sure you keep the receipt in the event that you end up not liking it after the baby is born. This actually should apply to all your big ticket purchases. Keep the receipt, because once your baby is here he may demand some changes.

Aside from your big ticket items, you also want to start stocking up on some essentials. If you are having a baby shower, you will probably get a lot of onesies and blankets. You will possibly get a lot of diapers too. So you may want to hold off until afterwards to buy things you don’t have. One of the things I found useful was to try different types of diapers. Regardless of what brand my friends and family used, I had my baby try them all. Some were messy and caused leaks, other worked very well but were on the pricey side, and others did the job, and really, what else do you need from a diaper?

Are you planning on breastfeeding? Don’t get the pump yet. Shop for it once you actually know what breast feeding is like. I totally botched this one, and having no clue what it would entail I bought a pump that was completely inadequate for my and Munchie’s needs. Luckily I had a friend who let me borrow her amazing pump. But pumps, in most places, are not returnable, so I still ended up spending the money. I wish I had waited.

Right around now you may be tempted to buy a few extra maternity clothes. You are gaining about a pound a week, so this is totally understandable. But unless you absolutely can’t fit into your current clothes, try to resist the urge. It will be over before you know it, and these clothes won’t be very flattering on you after.

Have you chosen that baby name yet? If so, how many times did you change your mind?

If you want to catch up…

40 Weeks of Pregnancy – Week 32

Welcome back to Week 32 of my week by week pregnancy guide. If you are new and want to catch up, scroll to the bottom.

Week 32

Your baby is now breathing, and suckling and doing all sorts of other cute things. I am sure this is not medical terminology, and I am sure your doctor will have more information for you, especially since around now you are going to start seeing your doctor every two weeks or so.

With Munchie around this time I was diagnosed with mild preeclampsia. Mildly, it is nothing to really worry about, but if you get a severe case of it you may be put on bed rest, or have an emergency c-section. If you have it, your doctor will tell you what you need to do.

As you are looking into different methods of childbirth, you have probably heard about Lamaze, a breathing technique most people have heard of. But there is also the Bradley Method, similar to Lamaze that is also worth trying. I looked into both, but honestly, I didn’t use either. Mainly because when it came to actually giving birth I was too busy hyperventilating to remember anything.

When considering where you want to give birth you may also be thinking about who you want to deliver your baby. I went the traditional route at a hospital with my doctor. But I have also heard of some people who have used a Doula, and have had great success. Look into and see if it is something that may interest you.

What have you been considering?

If you want to catch up…