33 and 34 weeks: a review

Two weeks ago I was 33 weeks pregnant…

Unable to effectively communicate the type of tightening of the belly and/or Braxton Hicks contractions I had been experiencing, and paranoid I might go into labor while my husband was still deployed, my doctor ordered a fetal fibronectin test and a vaginal ultrasound to measure the length of my cervix. I cried as I made my way upstairs for the ultrasound; the last time I had one, JB was with me. I was nervous at the prospect of receiving bad news, and I was truly sad to be alone.

My doctor instructed me to take the rest of the day off from work and relax while I waited for a nurse to call me with the test results. I drove home in tears and curled up on the couch, nervous because it doesn’t usually bode well when a medical professional suggests you alter your daily routine. Thankfully, the test came back negative, meaning there was only a 1% chance I’d give birth in the following two weeks.

Phew.

However, my OB/GYN recommended I stop doing cardio and lifting weights for the next couple of weeks. I can probably start exercising again around 37 or 38 weeks. She also implored me to drink more water and eat more protein. I’ve never been a big water drinker because I don’t think to drink when I’m not thirsty, but now I’m consciously trying to sip from my CamelBak throughout the day.

Of course, more water means more bathroom breaks… especially now that he’s putting more and more pressure on my bladder. Oh, and he has hair! The ultrasound tech was able to point out that the baby has a head full of short hair. I wonder what color it will be…

Last week I was 34 weeks… and JB returned from his deployment!

The Saturday before his Tuesday return, I finally had my pregnancy facial and massage. Although I’ve had better facials, I still enjoyed being able to close my eyes and relax. The massage was pure bliss, but it got off to an awkward start when the masseuse asked me (with certainty in her voice) if I was expecting twins.

“Haha, no,” I laughed uncomfortably. “I guess I’m just big.”

And I do feel particularly big. I actually feel substantially larger than I did a week or so ago, although JB insists that I only look pregnant from the front. The first thing he said when we reunited was how amazing I looked and how he couldn’t even tell I was pregnant from behind. He even thought my arms and legs looked smaller than they did before I was pregnant. I’m not sure I completely believe him, but it was really nice to hear anyway!

Now we get to experience that final weeks of my pregnancy together, and I fully intend to take advantage of him being home. The more he can do means the more I can be off my feet, and I’m so looking forward to that after having to take care of everything for the past two months.

{top self-portraits taken at 33 weeks, 5 days; bottom self-portraits taken at 34 weeks, 5 days}