Thursday, April 17, 2008

Dizzy spells and the disappearing black hole

Yesterday marked my 29th week of pregnancy. 11 more to go and Baby M is here! I took a walk the other day along the bike path (because the weather's been fabulous lately) and imagined what it would be like to hold him in the baby Bjorn and take walks together as a family. I can't wait! Walking has been good for me. I usually walk briskly for about 30 minutes with iPod and water in hand. I can't go too far for fear of needing to pee in the bushes, so I've managed to figure out how far I can actually go before heading back.

On Sunday morning and yesterday, I experienced dizzy spells. All of a sudden my breath seems shorter, I feel light-headed and it's almost like I'm going to pass out. I called the doctor but because I had no other warning signs, she said just to take it easy and make sure I'm hydrated and that I sit down when I feel that way. Nathan thought it might be my blood pressure but every time I get it checked it's low. I read online that sometimes it's caused by your body adjusting to the increased amounts of blood in your body. It's intense to think that I'm carrying 50% more blood in my body. Whatever it may be, it's not a fun feeling.

This "disappearing of the black hole" I'm referring to is my belly button. Ha! Can you believe I can actually see the "light" at the "end of the tunnel?" As my belly grows and tightens, my innie belly button's disappearing. Pretty dang exciting ey? I'm getting to the point where I feel like I need a crane to lift me off the couch. And I'm starting to weeble-wabble a little. Kind of like a Penguin, but a cute one. Along with my ever-growing belly is my ever growing butt and thighs! I feel like a big-fat-fatty and most of my pant legs are getting tighter. I'm about a buck-fifty now and can't imagine gaining more even though I will. Lord help me lose all this baby weight after I deliver. Amen.

I'm really excited about my baby showers coming up! Yes I'm having 2. One for family, the other for close friends. This way, it's not so overwhelming and huge and I can also spend more time greeting people. I feel great about what's on my registries because I did a crap load of research on each item, ensuring that I got the best, or close to the best items. It's amazing how your perspective changes once you know you're about to become a parent. All of a sudden I care about what kinds of chemicals are leeched into baby bottles, baby shampoos and products. I found some really informative websites that have educated me/opened my eyes to the dangers that may be lurking in baby products. I'll share them with you:
http://safemama.com/
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

AND I vowed to never be a paranoid parent! Pssshhh, now THAT'S out the window, LOL! But it never hurts to educate yourself at the expense of your child's health right?

Oh and an FYI that a good friend pointed out to me. Did you guys realize that the acronym for my blog "Pea In My Pod" is P.I.M.P? Haaaaahahahahahha!

Stats:
Age of fetus: 29 weeks (11 weeks to go!)
What's going on this week:
His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.
What's going on with Mommy: Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing. (Sounds like a lot of fun ey?!)

Baby's Size: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.
Mood: Happy
Cravings: None
Energy: Mostly low, lots of lower back and hip pain.
Morning Sickness: NONE!!!


1 comment:

Jennifer said...

I got the fun dizzy spells, too. Yeeha. lol

I'm so excited that we're getting so close!!