Hello world! I’m back for a little recap of my third trimester! Little man is now with us outside of the womb and we are loving him! There will be a post later about how life is like with our newborn, but for now, I want to talk about my final trimester being pregnant (though let’s be real, that fourth trimester after birth is TOTALLY a thing!). Read all about my first and second trimesters HERE and HERE. Without further ado, A Runner’s Diary: My Third Trimester!
Week 28-31 (Jan 29- Feb 19)
The beginning of my third trimester was great. I felt the best I had felt in a while. I was eating more, running on the treadmill, doing some strength training (all the squats!), I felt great!
Running-wise, I ran my virtual Princess 10k race (read that recap HERE). It was fantastic to be able to run a bit of a distance on the treadmill and accomplish a goal. I started an iFit series which had me doing daily running workouts. Running on the treadmill turned out to be a HUGE win for me. Read my full treadmill review HERE!
My belly was growing, so I was slowly getting more uncomfortable. I had to pee pretty often, and carrying the extra weight towards the end of this period was becoming more noticeable. We also took our maternity photos during this time which was SO much fun! They came out better than I could have hoped, and it was a great time for my husband and me to spend quality time together. =)
Week 32-36 (Feb 20 – Mar 27)
During these weeks I had my virtual baby shower PLUS my work baby shower!! They were both lovely and I felt completely spoiled with all the gifts and well wishes. Everyone LOVES a baby, and there is no doubt that I am surrounded by support from all these amazing ladies!
Running became more difficult for me during the end of this period. My husband would constantly ask me when I was going to stop running, and I’d say “when I can’t do it anymore” (he did not love that answer). I was slowly stepping the intensity back on my runs and my iFit workouts. I was really enjoying beach runs, so I started doing walk runs on any of the beach settings in iFit. Finally one day I got some pretty bad round ligament pain during a run and realized at about 35 weeks, I was done trying to run. It was a tough decision, but a clear one. I wanted to be careful running this late in my pregnancy. Thus started my daily and constant walks!
Week 39-41 (Mar 27 – May 5)
Towards the end of my pregnancy, I become much larger and more uncomfortable. Things become REAL as little man’s due date approached. I walked daily, did exercises to encourage labor, and ate/drank all the things that could possibly help. I actually stopped wearing all my belly bands while walking since I wanted to encourage him to move down. Honestly, I don’t know if it made a difference, but I wasn’t in pain without the bands while walking so I figured it couldn’t hurt.
After getting some discouraging information from my OB saying that I was not progressing, the reality hit that I might not have the natural labor I wanted. I was pretty devastated (even though realistically it was too early to make any definitive calls one way or another).
For a much-needed stress reliever, we decided to take a staycation at 39 weeks in Nashville! We stayed at The Joseph which is a Mariott brand hotel. It was relaxing and SO what we needed! I ate all the things, walked at the gym, even swam a little! I want to go back, it was a beautiful hotel!
My maternity leave started and my Mom came to stay for 3 weeks. We spent the next week and a half or so walking, sleeping, relaxing, trying to move things along. And finally, at 40 weeks and 5 days at my OB appointment I had my membranes swept (a very routine procedure), and low and behold my water broke! So we were on the clock to get things moving. Once your water breaks it’s safest to have your baby within 24 hrs. We were admitted to the hospital that day and wee one joined us the next day at 11:55 am.
Current Thoughts
My third trimester was full of change. I went from feeling pretty fantastic to feeling very pregnant, to being very discouraged that my baby was ever going to join the family.
My highlights were definitely the baby showers I was lucky enough to have, our maternity photoshoot, our stay at the Joseph Nashville, and my Mom coming to visit. I loved all the running I did on the treadmill and the walking we did at the end. As a runner, I struggled with stopping running and accepting when it was time to slow down. Realistically what I did was perfect for me, and walking helped to keep me strong and fit for labor. When it came time I was in shape for the marathon of having my baby, and I needn’t have been stressed about not running those last few weeks.
The biggest takeaways from my third-trimester were to relax and realize that nothing will go to plan in the end, but having a healthy baby and Mamma is the only real goal. Be gentle with yourself (I know it’s easier said than done) and believe that everything will happen in its own time. And REST and enjoy sleep and time with your significant other. Also, take that last-minute staycation! I 100% would recommend a resort stay, it was such a great moment for my husband and me!
There you go, I did it! I made it through three trimesters and now I have my baby boy in my arms. Pregnancy is a crazy ride, and this newborn stage is even crazier. I cannot wait to see him grow and also to be able to start running again!! =D Obviously I am taking it easy and just recovering while we all adjust to our lives together as a family 🙂
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Congratulations!!!!