Book vs real life: 20 weeks pregnant

October 12, 2016

 

 

Halfway there! In some ways this is a ‘hurrah’ week, marking the mid-point of the pregnancy, but I think back to finding out I was pregnant, and it feels like years ago. Which means that the birth is a weird, abstract distance away, and it doesn’t feel real at all.

 

Happily, however, I’m still in that second trimester sweet spot where you don’t feel sick/too knackered (unless you’re really unlucky) and you’re not so large that that you can’t sleep/drive/walk.

 

I’m taking advantage of this by being a bit more active, continuing PT sessions with Lou from Tu Vida, and going to some prenatal reformer Pilates sessions in an effort to strengthen my back and stomach muscles. I’ll report back…

 

So what do the experts say about being 20 weeks pregnant? This week Pregnancy Corner gives us the scoop – and I respond with what’s really going on.

 

The book says…

 

Most women who have smaller body frames begin to experience trouble breathing at this point. The baby’s growth has reached the point at which the baby is pressing on your internal organs, making it hard to breathe.

 

I say…

 

I definitely don’t have a smaller body frame (post on being plus size and pregnant coming soon) and am not having any problems breathing in day to day life. However, I was recording a voiceover last week, and had to pause a lot more than usual, so please don’t ask me to say ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ between now and February.

 

The book says…

 

The top of your uterus is parallel with your belly button, and you’ve probably gained close to fifteen pounds. From this week on, you can expect to gain up to a pound per week. Your waistline continues to expand, and indigestion, heartburn, itching, and constipation probably occur more frequently.

 

I say…

 

I’ve still only gained 3kg, but hadn’t lost all the baby weight from the first time, so who bloody knows… Having a toddler and not being desk-bound has definitely helped keep the weight gain to a minimum so far, but knowing my luck I’ll explode in the coming months, like Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor, getting even bigger, one finger at a time. Also… itching? What?

 

 

The book says…

 

You need to continue to incorporate plenty of iron into your diet, as your baby is using much of the iron that you take in. Dark fruits and vegetables, eggs, chicken, dried fruits, wheat germ, oatmeal, spinach, and other leafy vegetables are all good sources of iron.

 

I say…

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I’m trying.

 

 

The book says…

 

Lanugo (fine hair) still covers the body, and the hair on the scalp is growing quickly. The ears are fully functioning on their own now, so it’s important to spend time in calm and quiet environments, as your baby sleeps for an average of 20 hours per day.

 

I say…

 

Phoebe was so hairy when she was born, we nicknamed her The Monkey Princess. And the hair remained for about three months, on her back, shoulders and ears. It’s got to be character-building.

 

 

The book says…

 

Now is a good time to start a birthing plan if you haven’t done so yet. Feel free to share your birthing plan with your obstetrician so that he or she can provide input. This will allow you to feel more in control if there are unexpected complications, or if the birth isn’t routine.

 

I say…

 

Last time my birth plan was this: Music, drugs, whatever Dr J says, skin-to-skin. Done.

 

The book says…

 

You may want to start a baby book or a journal that includes your feelings, photos, the baby’s movements, etc. This can help you reflect later down the road, and realize how far you’ve come.

 

I say…

 

Finally I’m doing something right!

 

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