MOTHERHOOD
PREGNANCY: THE WHOLESOME THIRD TRIMESTER - THAT THIRD PREGNANCY GLOW
5:48 PM
 |
| "Another day closer, to meet the little one who is half me and half the one I love, tell me, how does it feel to be a mother?" - 2019, thoughts when baby was still in my belly |
Completing my pregnancy trimester series on blog, here is the story of my last trimester, the third trimester. The third trimester begins from around 28 weeks to the day you give birth (around 37-40 weeks). Like other trimester, it lasts for 13 weeks. After recovered completely from COVID-19 infection, I went back to work. Back as the frontline worker beating the pandemic. I know, some said it was a reckless thing to do, working in hospital during the crisis with the baby inside of me, in my late pregnancy. I didn't want to quit my job, I like my job. And didn't want to loose my baby either. So, when I decided to go back to work, I promised, with all of myself, I'd make sure the baby and I were safe. We'd be just fine. And I think, that is exactly how it feels to be a mother. To protect your little one with all cost.
 |
| Things will get heavier, of course, complicated and uncomfortable, but, hang in there... you are almost to the finish line |
1. HEAVY. Yes, it is obvious. Swelling everywhere and uncomfortable everywhere. Even to sleep will be hard, to move an inch is difficult. You will have backache, swollen foot, varicose vein or sometimes shortness of breath.
2. More active fetal movement. You will feel more kicks. Baby is developing really fast in this trimester, baby is able to do many things such as open its eyes, cry, suck its own thumbs and smile. So, yeah, baby is doing great there.
3. Contraction. You'll notices more mild irregular contraction. It's called the Braxton Hicks Contraction. You will feel this slight tightness in your belly, more often in the afternoon/evening time or when you have more physical activity. These contractions will become more stronger as you reach the end of your pregnancy. Observe the contraction and contact your health care provider if they become more intense in strength or regularity.
4. Abdominal symptoms. Beside contraction, you will also feels some digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, heartburn (increasing of acid reflux), or unspecified abdominal discomfort. The symptoms should be mild. You will also has frequent urination as well. All of those above are because the baby is taking much larger space in your stomach and pushing your abdominal organs. If the symptoms seem alarming or concerning, seek your medical care provider immediately.
5. Stretch marks. Beautiful tiny stretching in your body. Don't forget to moisturize your skin, don't worry stretch marks are reminders that your body is doing something amazing, carrying a human being.
6. Serious complication. One to five are common symptoms that occur during the third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy. There are some cases of late pregnancy complication such as placental abruption, premature rupture of membrane, chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, pyelonephritis. You might not need to know all of them but here are some warning signs and symptoms that you need to remember: vaginal bleeding not in the close to labor time, vaginal leaking/water breaking too soon, significant increases of vaginal discharge, sudden swelling on face, hand, fingers, a severe headache that does not go away, dizziness or blurry vision, intense and regular stomach contraction, chills/fever, profuse nausea/vomiting or you suddenly doesn't feel your fetal movement
 |
| some tips of activity to do in your 2 last months of pregnancy, have fun and be ready to meet your baby |
1. Browse for baby's need. This might be the perfect time to buy baby stuff. Not to early, not to late. You probably already know the gender of your baby to pick specific color or if you are gender-neutral, you buy baby's need in gender-neutral colors. You might be like me, excited to set up the baby's room, buy baby's decoration and toys. I really enjoy the baby's need shopping time with my siblings and friends. I am so thankful that I have many loved ones to help me preparing for my baby to come.
2. Pack your baby bag. Whether you are going to have your labor at home (with health care assistance of course) or hospital (I prefer hospital), pack all your newborn's need in one piece of bag. So when the labor is close, you can quickly grab that bag and rush. Things will be messy, trust me. You and/or family/friends will freak out at that moment near the birth time. What you need to pack: newborn clothes (better to prepare 2-3 sets of it), diapers, warm blanket, bassinet/baby carrier to bring the baby home. Don't forget to pack momma's need such as sets of momma clothes (better ones that have front button to easier the breastfeeding process), comfortable underwear, nursing bras + nursing pads, skin care (momma's need to take care of herself, too, after giving birth, right?).
3. Read and learn about labor, A LOT. One important tip to share is to gain as many information about giving birth as much as you can. There are many methods of labor: vaginal delivery, epidural, or caesarian section. Ideally, vaginal delivery is the first choice, but in some case c-section is the only way. I was really ready to give birth normally, but my baby wasn't coming through. After 12 hours of endless contraction, I was sent to the operating theater. Some part of me was disappointed with myself for not giving birth normally, I really want to experience vaginal delivery. But then I realize the most important thing is having the safest mode of delivery for the mother and baby. The day I had my baby really changed my perspective forever about giving birth.
4. Read about breastfeeding, too. Breastmilk is still the best nutrition you can give to your baby. Another thing to learn beside of delivery is breastfeeding. Not going to explain much in this post, I will make one special blogpost about breastfeeding after this.
5. Exercise. Do yoga, get your gym ball, stretch your body, have a light swim and practice your breathing. You can do exercise at home by watching tutorial from websites/videos or join pregnancy yoga class.
6. Prepare for maternity leave. Every women has the right to period of rest from work during their critical time of having a baby. In your last trimester, if you are a working mom, make sure you discuss about maternity leave with your colleague. How is the regulation, how long you can have the leave, ask about paternity leave for your partner as well. There will be many adjustment once the baby's arrived so planning about this would help shifting your work schedule from before you have a baby and when you become a mom.
7. Have fun. Relax, hang out with your loved one, have a staycation, a spa-day or just a moment of meditation. Try not to stress thing over, I know, having a baby is not an easy job, but I am sure you can do this.
The reason I made this motherhood blog-series is to mark my pregnancy-motherhood journey. And I want to feel it all to the fullest, with my whole heart first, before sharing my thoughts about it on my blog. I will keep writing about motherhood-themed post on blog in the future along with other posts about styles and books as I used to. Before ending this post, I would like to share some of the memories I captured in my last trimester. Not much pictures to share but the feelings were priceless. It has been a wonderful time carrying my child inside of my belly with all of the story behind it. Overall, what a wholesome, what a wondrous 9 months! I will treasure all of these feeling in my heart forever. These pictures here are the remembrance of how I am in love with my life, in love with myself and deeply in love with my pregnant body. How my body is so strong yet beautiful to be a home for the whole tiny little human baby and I am really thankful for it. And to experience the kind of love and support from my husband, my whole family, my dearest friends, my co-workers, I couldn't be more grateful. Dearly Dias, for who you are, what you've become, what you've endured... you are braver than you believe, you are stronger than you seem and you are loved more than you know.
❤️
xx
0 comment(s)