Book vs real life: 28 weeks pregnant

December 7, 2016

 

28 weeks pregnant 3D scan mothership  

 

So here we are. The third trimester. 28 weeks pregnant and still in total denial about giving birth and life with two children. I held a newborn recently and was shocked at how frail she was, all floppy legs and baggy skin around the knees, head lolling and bird-like bones. I’m really hoping that all the knowledge comes back, because there’s a confused fog when I try to remember those first few weeks. It’s daunting.

 

But enough panicking about the future… This has been a really good week; my energy levels are on the up (probably a sign that I should go any buy some baby bottles, further organise the nursery or wrap Christmas presents instead of doing work) and my back is better.

 

We had a scan on Monday and I’ve been smiling ever since. Not only was Thing 2 (working title) showing her face, it was the chubbiest little face I’ve ever seen, and she even gave us a yawn. I do, however, feel like the yawn was for the doctor’s benefit as if to disprove my complaints, minutes before, of movements so violent my eyes have widened and I’ve googled ‘early labour’.

 

What shocked me about the scan, however, is how different our daughters look at the same stage. It boggles my mind that the same two parents have the capacity to create children that can have different hair colours, features, and personalities. This was the moment when I realised that this little girl, for better or worse, is not going to be another version of her sister. It’s exciting, but suggests that second time around may well be a totally different experience. All the ‘tricks’ that worked on Phoebe could be redundant, leaving me clueless all over again.

 

So what are the experts saying about this week? Bounty rounds up some advice for body and bump, followed by my take…

 

The book says…

Your baby weighs around 2.5lbs now, is around 38cm long and is perfectly formed. Its little heartbeat is so strong that your partner might be able to hear it if they put their ear on your bump!

 

I say…

The doc said the baby is weighing in around 1.5kg, which is half of Phoebe’s birth weight. I have the feeling this one is going to be a proper chunker, and this suspicion wasn’t helped when my husband misinterpreted the measurements on the ultrasound screen and told me the diameter of her head was 30cm. He meant circumference.

 

 

The book says…

Your baby is continuing to pad out, and is gaining weight quickly, and although they look like a perfect little baby already, they will put on quite a few more pounds before birth.

 

I say…

Define ‘quite a few’ please. Gulp.

 

 

The book says…

It is entirely normal to have fears and worries about how you’ll cope in labour. You are no doubt thinking more and more about your baby’s birth now – maybe even having dreams about it!

 

I say…

Last night I dreamt about Bill Nighy and skydiving, so all clear on that front.

 

 

The book says…

Have you thought about how you might record your labour and birth? Will you want your birth partner to take any photos, or even video your baby’s arrival? Have you got your camera and spare batteries listed on your hospital bag packing list?

 

I say…

A friend’s husband filmed her labour by strapping a GoPro to his chest. It didn’t go down well. Last time we took a few pics (the first ones are with Phoebe clamped to my boob, so very few people have seen them) and I’d love to have my wits about me to take more of this little one. No GoPro though.

 

 

In conclusion…

I’m typing this with my feet propped up, because they are bloody killing me. Thankfully there isn’t any swelling, but the outer sides feel broken and bruised, meaning I’m limping by evening. We went to Legoland at the weekend (which I bloody loved, though we got the cheapo National Day Dhs45 tickets, and I couldn’t justify full price for a toddler) and by bedtime I would have merrily had my feet chopped off to relieve the pain.

 

As for other weird pregnancy symptoms, I didn’t know about hot flushes and I almost fainted while buying more Christmas crap in Daiso yesterday (turns out the combination of nesting and the festive season is very expensive, so I left Pottery Barn and took myself to the tat shop). They’re not fun.

 

By the third trimester, depending on the day, you can feel on top of the world or like you’re falling apart. Beaming from ear-to-ear with happy hormones, or sobbing into your pillow with anguish. I’ve done both this week, much to my husband’s confusion. This weekend we’re taking a ‘babymoon’ in Ras Al Khaimah, and leaving Phoebe with our nanny for the weekend. I’ll miss her, but not as much as I’ll enjoy a lie-in on Saturday morning…

 

Are you in the third trimester too? I’d love to know how you’re feeling x

 

You might also enjoy: Competition time! are you the UAE’s most exhausted parents? 

 

 


One response to “Book vs real life: 28 weeks pregnant”

  1. Jojo says:

    30 weeks and scared 1st time for me and being a older lady just feel very out of the zone. 9 weeks to go and can’t believe how big ur belly gets through pregnancy…. I’m definitely on the same wave with my emotions but really enjoying any kicks because then I know she’s still here. So scared of everything going wrong right at the end but love hearing from other ladies in the same boat. X

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