"It's time to start scaling back on your expectations for what you can achieve each day."
That's what my doc told me yesterday at my 31 week appointment. With only 9 weeks left, I can see her point.
It's the little things that are having the greatest effect on me now that I'm in the third trimester. Every day I'm more uncomfortable, more emotional and I become overwhelmed by things that never bothered me before.
Symptomatically, my back is doing the brunt of the work. When I lean over to pick something up, my muscles seize and it's very hard to stand up. When the baby kicks, it's no longer a flutter - it actually hurts. It sometimes even causes my uterus to contract. And yesterday when I was walking Zion, I felt dizzy from walking up a slight hill.
As I creep further and further into the third trimester, I can't help but fear what new surprise the next day will bring.
Back in the doc's office a girl who I recognized from my last appointment checked in ahead of me. In contrast to her overly styled appearance last time she was wearing super baggy sweats, Crocs, no makeup and a trench coat. At first I thought, that's cool - we're on the same schedule. I wondered how far along she was, who her doctor was and in my head I commended her for wearing comfy sweatpants, a go-to of mine as well.
Continuing to watch her as she checked in at the counter, I noticed that she was wearing a plastic wristband. Wait a second - are we not on the same schedule? I looked at her stomach and I could see for myself. She had her baby.
At once our connection was broken. She had crossed the finish line and I hadn't.
I was happy for her. Jealous. But happy for her.
She was done. She was going about her affairs as if she had never been pregnant. Except of course, now she has a baby!
I'm still stunned by this realization. But, it will happen for me as well. 9 more weeks and life will go on. Except now there will be 4 of us, including Zion.
More to come.
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