This final update comes a bit early as we are now on baby watch and will soon have a new family member here with us! I can’t believe I am typing those words! This has been the most incredible journey, and we are so excited for what is to come in this new chapter of life as a family of three! I am feeling so many emotions these days, very sentimental, but at the end of it all just really, really grateful for this sweet season!
A lot has happened over the last nine months, and you can catch up on our journey thus far with my first and second trimester updates here! As always, thank you for the kind words, prayers and encouragement, they have meant so much!
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third trimester q&a
How are you feeling? Are you ready?
For the most part I still feel really good, and thankfully have not hit a point of misery that I feel like a lot of women express in the last few weeks! I’m most uncomfortable at night trying to sleep, but I know the end result is more than worth that temporary discomfort. Third trimester was definitely harder than second because things start to hurt and become sore, but for the most part I am feeling good. We are excited, ready, nervous, anxious, and feeling sooooo many other emotions waiting on our boy!
How’d you come up with a name?
It was a long road to picking out a name, but we did it! The name we chose is one that I have loved for a long time, and am so so excited about and confident in! I think Drew struggled a bit more with just the idea in general of naming a boy, being that it’s his first son and one that will carry on his family name and legacy, but once we agreed he was sold and loves it too!
If you’re struggling with names, I would suggest making a list of names you both like and posting it on your fridge to look at every day. As days go by, mark off ones that don’t feel right. The more we looked at his name written out on paper (and at the top of the list I might add ;)) it made it feel more real and easier for us to narrow down. I can’t wait to share his name soon! xo
What have been the worst third trimester symptoms and how have you dealt with them?
The biggest struggle of third trimester for me has just been all the aches and pains. Mainly in my hips, pelvis, and occasionally lower back area. I’m usually more sore at night, and sleeping is where the biggest discomfort is. I broke out my original pregnancy pillow to help support me, and my pregnancy ball has been my best friend these days. I found that stretching and walking also helps tremendously, and I started seeing a prenatal certified chiropractor once a week for the last 8 weeks.
What has been your favorite part of pregnancy now that you are near the end?
Oh my goodness, pregnancy had so many ups and downs, but overall I am just feeling very sentimental and grateful for what my body has done for me, and him, these last 9 months. Pregnancy really is such a miracle and gift from God, and being able to carry another human life and provide for him is something I’ll treasure forever. I already know I’ll miss all those little kicks, stretches, hiccups and having my boy all to myself, but I can’t wait to snuggle him every day!
Plans for what life will look like once baby is here?
That’s a great question, and one that I can confidently and happily say… we don’t know! We plan to take it one day at a time, and find what works best for our baby and family! I know it will be a lot of trial and error, but we are going into this new chapter of life with open minds and little expectations. My biggest prayer here recently, other than a healthy baby and delivery, is for Drew and I as parents and as husband and wife to enter this season with grace for ourselves and for each other, and to rely on the Lord to help us navigate the uncertainties. I know life will be slowing down, and honestly I think we are both more than excited for our future with lots of college football Saturdays at home with our boy!
Have you done anything specific to prepare for postpartum?
Yes! I am a planner by nature so each day the last few weeks I have made to-do’s for myself to accomplish around the house, prepare for labor/delivery, and also life postpartum as a new mom and family of three! Here are a few things I’ve been working on:
- Nesting – at the beginning of July I started making daily to-do lists of areas of the house to clean/organize. I took it one space and room at a time. No closet, drawer or cabinet was spared! This helped me to not get overwhelmed by the thought of nesting/preparing our whole house and I was able to go through and clean out and organize one thing at a time!
- Food – this week it is my mission to make a couple of easy dinners to freeze and save for a later time. We will also have a meal-train, as several friends and family have reached out and kindly want to help us in those first few weeks, and we are so grateful for that! I’m thinking I’ll make a pot-pie and a couple of other easy casseroles to have on hand in a pinch for days that we may be in need of an easy meal.
- House Cleaning – my one request for Drew was that we have one final deep clean before baby comes! We don’t have a house cleaner come regularly (actually we’ve never had one… it’s us who cleans), so I am excited to have someone come and do one big deep clean to ease my mind just a bit and know everything is taken care of for at least a few days/weeks!
- Postpartum care for me – following our child birth classes, I officially have a basket ready to go for my postpartum care in our bathroom! I have a little basket with some essentials recommended from the class, close friends and other mamas who have been great at sharing tips! Everything is linked here!
- Pelvic Floor exercises from Megan Roup’s TSS Mama Program
What was your most memorable moment of third trimester?
Some dear friends threw us the most magical and truly the sweetest baby shower of my dreams at the end of last month, and I am still swooning over it! That day was definitely one of my favorites from this trimester! Also, seeing his nursery come to life these last few weeks has been so much fun! It’s officially my favorite room in the house and my favorite place to spend all my free moments!
What are your third trimester must haves?
- The Real MVP – On my second trimester “must haves” I listed Tums first… LOL at me because at the time they were just a here and there thing I might occasionally need, and then third trimester hit and they became my BEST friend. Oh my goodness the heartburn took full effect! Thank you Tums for saving my life.
- Pregnancy Ball – Around 32-33 weeks my doctor encouraged me to get a ball to start sitting on everyday for at least 30 minutes. She is a firm believer that it helps with the delivery process, but also it has been one of the most comfortable positions for me to sit when I’m feeling sore!
- Pillow – For second trimester I was all about this Pregnancy Pillow because I could support the growing belly while also using my normal pillow for my head… but when third trimester rolled around I broke back out the pillow I bought in my first trimester and use it upside down in bed now to support the belly, align my hips, and provide some support when sleeping is not very comfy! I turn it upside down so I can still use my normal pillow for my head though!
- Compression Socks – I really didn’t start swelling until this last week, which I am grateful for! I keep several pairs of these socks handy to help with it!
- Prenatal Vitamins
- Belly Oil – After I ran out of the Vitamin E Oil I used for most of pregnancy for the bump, I switched over to this belly oil and have liked it! So far, still no stretch marks on the belly, hoping that doesn’t change in these last days!
- Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea
- Stanley Cup
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What a journey it has been!
Thank you again for the outpouring of love, encouragement and support for our little family – it means so much! I know the next update will be the most exciting one!!!
xx,
Madison
