Pregnancy update - Third trimester

Baby's growth

Until the last 2 appointments (let's say the last 3 weeks) the baby was growing exactly on term or sometimes a bit smaller even, which was at first. I didn't think much of it because my youngest wasn't too big either. Then we had the measurement 3 weeks ago at the gyneacologist and I noticed the baby measured weeks ahead. Although I figured it was a growth spurt, which happens in some weeks to catch up, the next appointment a week ago also showed a baby in the 90th percentile.

Oral glucose tolerance test

As with all my pregnancies, because the first was a big baby (yes she was big!!) I had to undergo an oran glucose tolerance test several weeks ago. As the baby now showed so much growth suddenly, I got nervous about taking it because I really have enough going on dealing with the carpal tunnel syndrome stuff and the heat currently. I also feared he'd let me take the 3 hour long test which would mean extreme lower back pain from the bad seats in the waiting room, I can barely last half an hour without having to walk around, and it's mandatory to not constantly walk around but sit still mostly.

So I said not the 3 hour test right? He said we can do the 1 hour test and if it comes back with bad results, you have to take the longer test. Sigh, ok I guess it's a deal. I figured right now I don't have to deal with it so let's take it one appointment at a time. Not losing too many braincells is already getting difficult as they vaporize by the day (so it seems as my memory currently sucks) so I made an appointment and went there some weeks ago. Hoping for the best, of course.

Results

Although normally available within a week or so, yesterday morning I could still nog download my results, so I decided to email the lab and ask if there was a technical issue or that they just weren't ready yet. At least then I could stop trying 5x a day. They said they were ready and they needed my ID number to confirm, I gave it and then a few hours later, I could download the results.

I was over the moon seeing that my values were normal and no indication for gestational diabetes! I have no symptoms for that either but whenever a baby is expected to be bigger, they surely check it. In fact, I think it's mandatory here for everyone to have that test, luckily for me they don't force the 3 hour test on you right away as they did in Holland.

Clock is ticking

It really feels I have to start rushing to get some things in order now that I'm in my final months. For example, I have no clue if I have enough baby clothes because I totally expect the baby to live in diapers and onesies instead of extra layers of clothes because it will be born when it's still so hot here in Spain. Totally different than the babies in Holland. I will have to make a list what I have and possibly get some things last minute.

I also don't know what to pack in suitcase for when I will go to the hospital because until now I still have no clue if the hospital here works the same as in Holland, where they provide diapers, wipes and all that jazz. I'm now privately insured here so I think so but it's important to check it when having my next appointment next week.

Also curious how long in advance we will know the birth date because it would be nice to be able to arrange childcare early rather than last minute. I only have a bit of brain capacity each day, so best is to plan things early, lol.

Normal clothes

I'm still wearing all my normal clothes and have not needed to upgrade to maternity clothes at all. Yes, my belly is growing but I'm currently less than 2kg above my normal weight from before pregnancy and I'm very happy about that because every extra kg will add more pressure to my epigastric hernia so I'm trying to be very mindful of what I eat and swimming as much as possible.

Totally different experience

This pregnancy differs so much from my previous ones, I can hardly believe that things go so smoothly in general. I mean yes, I have pain every day but I don't have pelvic instability, which I had with my first daughter, I could hardly walk the final months, and I have not been sick once in my pregnancy, I didn't even know this was possible! The carpal tunnel syndrome I had with my other son too, I guess in my case it's related to boy pregnancies, lol. With the girls, I didn't have it.

The biggest difference is probably having to live through the heat wave in my final months though, with all winter babies in the past, this is new to me but thanks to my great support at home, I'm going to get through it.

Fun fact

Want to know what my biggest saviour is whenever I feel I will faint from the heat? Don't laugh, ok? A dog's cooling mat from the budget store. I get overwhelmed easily with the heat wave and when it happens, I grab the cooling mat from the fridge, place it on the couch and sit against it (including my head and neck), I swear it's my life saver. Would recommend it to any pregnant woman that has to go through a heat wave in these 9 months.

All and all I think the final weeks will be hard(er) but also fly by faster than I can keep up with doing the final chores at home because I'm not very productive with the bump in the way and close-to-faint-moments. BUT when it's needed and I won't get it done myself, my boyfriend will step in and get it done so I don't have to worry about it in the end. I'll keep trying to do things myself though.

I keep telling myself to write things down in a pregnancy journal but barely being able to write, I keep forgetting I can also type it and print it. Oh well, maybe I will do it in the next weeks. Otherwise I will have to read back my blog updates instead.

If you're dealing with a heat wave as we are currently dealing with, wishing you lots of coolness, if you have some spare wind, send it over here please :)

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