Happy Monday! 
This week is a short one for me. I’m only working four days, before flying to Florida on Thursday night! Yahoo!
What is baby Addison doing this week?
According to this website, “She’s starting to get ready for her big debut, tipping the scales at almost four pounds and topping out at just about 19 inches. In these past few weeks, it’s all about practice, practice, practice as she hones the skills she’ll need to thrive outside the womb — from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, your little one has been able to suck her thumb for a while now. Something else to note: As more and more fat accumulates under your baby’s skin, she’s becoming less transparent and more opaque.”
Symptoms/Physical Changes:
- I’m out of breath more often. Evidently I’m carrying her fairly high, and I think she’s squashing my lungs. 
- Some of my shoes feel tighter, so I think I’m starting to retain water. It’s not too bad yet. And I’ve found that elevating my feet at night is helpful.
- Evidently I’m “waddling” more. At least that’s what people tell me. I’m not thrilled to hear that I’m walking like a duck, but such is life.
- Overall, I actually felt pretty good this week. I think I’ve discovered the key: water, water, and more water. I always knew that pregnant women needed to stay hydrated, but evidently I wasn’t doing a good enough job. Now that I’m really focused on drinking more water throughout the day, I seem to be feeling better overall!
Sleep:
Same as usual. I’m typically able to sleep pretty well, but I have to get up to use the restroom 2-3 times a night.
Cravings/Foods I’m loving:
Sorry, I’ve been pretty boring in this area recently. No cravings, but I am hungry constantly. I’m still a big fan of cereal and milk as an evening snack.
Activity Level:
Sadly, I only made it to the gym twice last week. Life has gotten hectic! But I’m hoping that I’ll have more time this week.
Events:
We went to an all-day birthing class at our hospital on Saturday! I was a little nervous that the teacher would scare me by sharing way too many details about the birthing process, but she was actually really great. We learned a lot about pre-term labor, when to go the hospital, and the three stages of labor.
Here’s just a few of the things I learned:
- The difference between effacement and dilation.
- That I need to go to the hospital when my contractions are 5 minutes apart, each lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour.
- That the nurse doesn’t actually use some type of ruler to find out how many centimeters dilated the woman is (don’t laugh … I know I’m not the only one who thought that!).
- And the #1 most important thing that I learned: I am getting an epidural. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! (Actually, I already knew this one. But I just got further confirmation from the class. 
)
Question for ya …
What did you do this weekend?
If you’ve had a baby, did you go natural or did you get an epidural? Or did you have a Cesarean section?
(No judgment from this girl either way … I just know what’s best for me! )
What kind of weather are you having where you live?
Our weather has been very inconsistent lately, but it’s mostly been gray. I’m looking forward to sunny skies and warm weather in Florida!
Florida?? Lucky! I hope y’all have a great time!
Lately the weather has been beautiful, mostly sunny & in the high 70′s.
Jessie recently posted..Marvelous In My Monday
Oh, the birthing class…I tried to avoid it the first time b/c I was so afraid of being scared, but it was great! And the first time, I had a c-section b/c my little guy was breach (upside down) and the second time I had a regular delivery. And I totally had the epidural. It was FANTASTIC and I felt great (they gave me Fentanyl or something like that in the epidural) I was so comfortable and everything went well.
Do not be ashamed of the epidural:)
jennifer recently posted..Monkey Theme First Birthday Shirt & Bib
Thanks for sharing about your experience, Jennifer!!
Fun Fun! It gets pretty real once you go to your birthing class LOL! My first pregnancy was an attempted unmedicated/no intervention birth – things went s.l.o.w. and then got nuts and 62 hours later (yes, I’m serious) I had an emergency c-sec as baby was in distress. No worries, don’t freak out I’m far from the norm, I’m a freak of nature ; ) Yes, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Second pregnancy was an attempted unmedicated/no intervention VBAC (vaginal birth after csection), the unmedicated part stuck, but the VBAC didn’t end up happening as at 24 hours we ended up with a repeat c-section. No regrets with either, as we are 2 healthy babies later
It’s your birth experience, go for it whatever way you want, just keep your mind open, as there is nothing predictable about childbirth!!! Be ready for anything and have Brandon know exactly what your preferences are before hand as trust me, you’ll need him to remind you of it when you are in the throws of it all : ) Don’t stress so much on the process, keep your eye on the prize – sweet little Addie!! Have a great trip to Florida – enjoy the sunshine!
62 hours??? I’m just going to pretend that I didn’t hear that! Haha!
I’m sure I’d go for the epidural too. I would get way too anxious without it, I’m sure!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..The Weekend
EPIDURAL All the WAY! Best decision EVER!! It was AMAZING after all of the contractions I had been having. The nurse didn’t realize HOW far dialated I actually was (because I progressed super slow & then BOOM!) & I was having HUGE contractions for a good hour to 2 hours before I got it…OWWWWW! She was like ‘I’m sorry! I didn’t realize you had progressed so fast, otherwise I would of gotten the epidural sooner.’
You’re not alone! They use their fingers. …..and just wait until you get towards the end & you are going weekly for your checks. It’s fun…;)
I didn’t know that about them checking for dialation either…totally thought a ruler was used
Holly recently posted..Quitting the Gym
Oh goodness, I can only imagine!
Ughh. Not looking forward to labor/delivery. I don’t want an epidural, but it’s not going to be fun!
The weather in Ohio is beautiful today, in the 50′s and sunny! I know all this is about to change though lol! I have never given birth, but I am pro-epidural lol! It’s not even that I think I couldn’t necessarily handle it all natural, but I have heard epidural can make for a more enjoyable experience! I love that you are doing what you feel is best for you!
You look so beautiful! I had to laugh at all of your symptoms… I can relate all too well! I had to do the announcements in front of church yesterday, and I had to stop in the middle of them and say “Sorry, my lungs are squished!” and take a big breath. Apparently everyone though that was pretty darn funny.
I’ve also had a few people notice me waddle more – lovely, right? Glad you enjoyed the birthing class! We have one schedule for March 9th, and I’m actually really looking forward to it!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..Embracing the Unknown
Love that we’re still having so many of the same symptoms!
Can’t wait to see your weekly post tomorrow!
Don’t worry if you are waddling. No one makes fun of the pregnant waddling.
Lauren recently posted..A Charlie’s Angels Adventure
I will most definitely be getting an epidural when I am pregnant. Have you ever seen the scene in Baby Mama with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey when they are talking about that? SO funny. The weather here is absolutely horrible. I’m sick of Michigan. I’m going to LA in April for vacation and I probably won’t ever come back.
Allison recently posted..Kicking it Off on a Positive Note
No, I need to see that movie! Thanks for reminding me! I’m sure I’d find it hilarious right now!
Ducks are adorable:)
Haha thanks, Joy!
You seriously can’t get much cuter! Love that baby bump.
I had a basketball game Friday night (it was intense and took about a year off my life), taught Zumba Saturday, and church Sunday. It was a pretty lazy weekend!
Our weather is bipolar. 65 and sunny one day, 30 and snowing the next. I’m ready for consistently warm weather!
Have a great time in Florida!
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..I’m back – and with a detox juice recipe!
Glad to hear that you finally had a somewhat lazy weekend! It’s about time!
I had an epidural with all 4 of my kids. Totally worth it. I feel like a lot of healthy living blogs make people feel like guilty for getting one, but honestly, it made me really enjoy the whole process more. Good luck! You are getting so close!!
Thank you, Christine!!
Such a pretty mama! I got to spend the weekend with my mom and it was wonderful. There is nothing more special than spending time with family!!
Nicole @ Fruit ‘N’ Fitness recently posted..Delightful Day in the Kitchen
Thank you, Nicole!
I’m sure you’re still cute, even if you walk like a duck
love reading the updates!
Yellow Haired Girl recently posted..Zumba Recap!
Haha thanks, girl!!
You look great! I have no experience with pregnancy but my mom gave birth to me naturally. It wasn’t by choice, though. She said that the doc was so old that he was probably napping while she was in labor and by the time he got to her, he told her it was too late and she needed to start pushing!
Needless to say, when she had my brothers…she got the drugs. Haha.
Angela @ Health’s Angel recently posted..Changes, Changes
That is so funny! I would have sued that doctor haha!
You look cuter every week! I love reading your updates! Addie’s nursery is beautiful!
I went natural, and I loved it and would do it again in a second. It hurt, but it was a wonderful experience, and the pain was gone the instant I held my daughter!
There isn’t one right way. Do what makes you happy!
Thanks for sharing, Kristen! Like you said, there isn’t one right way!!
With my first birth, I got an epidual. The second time around, I went natural (by accident). If I ever have a third child I would try naturally again. My labors were very short, and I didn’t have to push very long (my second time was only one push). If it was much longer, I would for sure get an epidual!
Epidural all the way. I would have taken it curbside if I could have!
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