Pregnancy: Week 33

November 16-22
I don't think you're ready for this belly:

It's week 33 and I'm in the home stretch of my pregnancy, so I thought I'd mark the occasion with some belly shots! (<--That term had a whole different meaning in college.) I have to admit--how my belly looks straight-on really threw me for a loop as it was growing. Did you know pregnant bellies looked like that? I sure didn't! I kept wondering why it was popping out only in the center, and not all around. Turns out that's normal. And since it would have been nice to know that all along I thought I'd share it in case anyone else was clueless like me. I had a follow-up prenatal appointment this week to get my amniotic fluid checked since my levels were a little concerning last week. They did another ultrasound (our 6th look at our baby during this pregnancy!) and everything looks great! The amniotic fluid measured at nearly twice the level they were able to see last week and there is no need for continued monitoring or concern, so that's great news! The baby's heart rate was 147 bpm and my uterus continues to measure right on track for my due date. Your uterus should measure 1 centimeter long for every week pregnant you are. That means mine currently measures 33 centimeters (almost 13 inches!) from top to bottom. Isn't that crazy? They tried to get another look at Baby G&D's face since she was hiding behind her hands last week, but this time she had her face completely covered with those hands, so no luck. This little girl better get used to having her pictures taken soon!

I had three pregnancy "firsts" this week, including my first leg cramp while I was sleeping. HOLY HELL THAT HURT! It jolted me awake in the middle of the night and my immediate reaction was, "GIVE ME THE EPIDURAL!" I may be an even bigger pansy than I realized.

I also noticed the baby hiccuping for the first time this week--it was so cute!

My third "first" was rather interesting to say the least. As you all know, my friend Jill gave birth to her beautiful son Brady this week. Brady was born on Thursday morning, but Jill's labor actually started early Wednesday morning. We talked around 8:00am and her contractions were 5 minutes apart, but still fairly light and not lasting long. She sounded great and I was just so happy and excited that her labor had started. I checked in with her throughout the morning and around 1:00pm I tried calling her but she didn't answer her phone. She sent me a text message right away saying she was heading to the clinic to get checked out and didn't want to talk. And that's when my excitement started being overshadowed by worry as I realized her contractions were no longer "light" and she was obviously in pain.

Before long I started feeling some tightening in the lower part of my belly and I figured it was just the baby making some strange movement and didn't think much of it. As the afternoon continued--and I continued to get updates that Jill's labor and contractions were continuing without much progress (she ended up being in labor for 26 hours and her contractions were 5 minutes apart from the start!)--the tightening in my belly got stronger and lasted longer. I knew by now that it wasn't from the baby moving because her movements have never hurt me before. This felt more like someone was taking my lower stomach muscles and wringing them out like a wet towel. My guess is they were my very first Braxton Hicks contractions (which are "fake" or "practice" contractions) and I kept looking down at my belly and saying, "Oh no little girl! YOU stay put and wait your turn!"

I had my prenatal appointment already scheduled for the end of the day to get my amniotic fluid levels checked, so I asked the doctor about the pains I was experiencing and he confirmed that they sounded like Braxton Hicks.

"I have kind of a weird question," I said to the doctor as we were finishing up. "One of my closest friends is in labor right now and I've been worried about her all afternoon. Is it possible these are sympathy contractions?"

He laughed at the coincidence and replied, "They most certainly could be!"

My Braxton Hicks continued off and on until I found out that Jill's baby had finally been born, and I haven't felt any since! Isn't that weird?

When I went to visit Brady in the hospital I discovered that Baby G&D would move and kick like CRAZY when I was holding him. I don't know if she could feel his heartbeat, or what the deal was, but she was definitely making her presence known. On one visit she kicked so hard that she literally pushed him up and away from my belly! Thank goodness I had a good grip on the little guy! After that I started moving him to my left side when I held him (which is where Baby G&D's back is currently positioned so there's minimal movement on that side). She would still kick and move around like crazy, but at least there was no more risk of her punting him out of my arms. I hope this means she was excited about her new best friend Brady finally arriving because those two kids will certainly be spending a lot of time together!

Additional Week 33 Posts:
All Set for New Moon!
Sweater Dress Remixed
Knit & Leather

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