I feel like I’m entering the home stretch now, being in “the 30’s”. It’s like the countdown at new year’s when they start with 10! 9! 8! etc. Except that this time each second (aka week) may or may not feel like an eternity, and there will probably not be an immediate party after we get to the last number. There will probably be great efforts to stay thankful! and happy! (while overdue!) even though I want to serve up an eviction notice and reclaim my body from the little alien within.
Oh well, the end is coming at some point, and each day is one day closer. I’m ever mindful of that fact now that the uncomfortableness is gearing up. The usual – pelvic pain, heartburn, fatigue, not sleeping well, and peeing every 5 seconds. I think I feel way worse (achey, etc) when I eat any sugar or wheat… so I’m being careful right now about those things.
By and large my biggest frustration is my rhinitis. I’ve been using a nasal spray because that’s the only thing that has allowed me to sleep. I’ve tried an herbal breathe-easy tea, tea tree oil treatment on my feet, saline sprays, having a humidifier in my room, steam from the shower, vicks rub, and a neti pot (doesn’t work for me). Nothing has worked well enough to allow me to actually sleep enough to function during the day, except the nasal spray. (It’s getting so bad that I can barely smell or taste things anymore, and it’s making me totally nuts.)
Uh, small problem: apparently the nasal spray, if used continuously, can actually make your symptoms worse and is potentially addictive. Ouch.
So, if anyone has any bright ideas about cleaning congestion while pregnant, I’m all ears. Also, natural heartburn remedies would be nice.
Gosh this was not really supposed to be such a negative post. I just get asked so often how I’m feeling, so I figure I may as well give you the low-down.
In other news – I’m pretty sure my milk dried up totally somewhere in the second trimester, and Aliza was just comfort nursing for the last while. However…
I don’t actually remember the exact day, but I believe it’s now been a full week since she nursed. I do believe that we can say that she has officially weaned (at nearly 21 months old). I have to be honest, I am relieved. I had no qualms about nursing longer in theory, but it was getting quite uncomfortable since I had no milk left. I was starting to resent it, so I decided to give it a go and see if she would mind terribly if we weaned. I had to tell her once or twice a day that “mama’s milk is all gone”. She cried some mournful tears several times that almost made me give in, but I was able to distract her successfully each time without too much fuss, so we stuck it out. I feel at peace about it and I think it was the right time.
I know this is a somewhat scattered update, but let’s just say that I did it on purpose to illustrate the scatter-brained-ness that is my reality right now.
My final thought in this post is this: watching Isaac and Aliza play together these days, laughing and giggling and enjoying each others’ company (usually) is making me way excited about this babe to come. Despite the crazy roller coaster of having 3 kids in less than 4 years, I am beyond thrilled to think and hope that they will be each others’ best friends growing up. What a gift!
***
In case you missed them, here are the other posts I’ve written reflecting on this pregnancy: The Big Announcement, 13 weeks, and 20 weeks (focusing on deciding between a hospital-birth or a B&B birth).
Kate
Hey Beth-Beth, I know this is super late, but just wanted to add in my anticipation as you wait for this babe. I’m so sorry the neti pot didn’t work for you – it’s been awesome for my allergic to life self. 😉 Assume you have tried almonds and papaya enzymes for the heartburn? The papaya says, “do not use if pregnant” on the bottle, but it *is* safe. Don’t eat a whole bottle in one sitting or anything, but definitely use it.
redandhoney
Thanks Kate-Kate 🙂
I keep meaning to pick up some papaya tablets when we’re in the city but I keep forgetting. Must do that soon!
Sarah@EmergingMummy
You’re looking so beautiful, Beth! xo
Beth
Aw, thanks so much, Sarah! That word is just music to a pregnant woman’s ears 🙂 xo!
Marissa
You look beautiful my friend! I am excited that I will get to meet your little one when we come this summer…I hadn’t realized that until just now!!
Beth
Hey, me neither! Hurray! When are you guys coming? Do you have flights booked yet?
Marissa
Yes!! Today:)
Mom
Thanks for the update Beth. I miss not seeing the changes little by little – so this photo and blog entry makes it seem real. Do you know that you’re going to have a baby? Soon?
And of course, I think you look beautiful too!!! And not just because I’m your mother! I’ve thought you (and your hair) looked beautiful since the first minute I laid eyes on you!!!
Oh – one last thing: your heartburn is just revenge for what you did to your mother when she was carrying you. Nine long months of soda crackers! 🙂
Love
Mom
Beth
WHAT! A BABY?! haha! You know, it does seem totally surreal sometimes (though never as surreal as the first time around!). Thanks for your lovely compliments 🙂 Love you & can’t wait to see you soon. It’s a countdown to baby AND getting to see you and Dad 🙂
PS… sorry about the heartburn. I was worth it, right? 😉
Diane
hey there, so sorry to hear of the upset stomach… I have been there, got the tee shirt. I also remember the terrible rhinitis. I used colloidal silver and diluted it with distilled water. I ordered a empty spray bottle for the nose online. I also really would advise you to check out this awesome website on natural health. http://www.knowthecause.com . Doug really helps people regain their health all naturally. He shares about our health ailments due to fungus in the body, especially in the sinuses. Please take a look at his online shows that you can watch. Very valuable info. I pray that this info helps you as much as it has helped our family.
Blessings ,
Diane
Beth
I have not tried colloidal silver, but I will definitely do that! Thanks for the tip!
Katrina
You look beautiful! & I LOVE your hair!!!!!!!
I can’t believe that you only have 10 weeks left! Then again I can`t believe that Henry is already 3 weeks (!!), time is flying…except for weeks 37-42 🙂 I’m hoping that you don`t have to wait that long cause that’s just cruel of your little one.
I love the update…it’s almost like a real conversation…speaking of which maybe we should skype sometime soon…which we suck at by the way 🙂
P.S. I’m thinking it’s a boy…for no real reason other then I just decided that I have a 50/50 chance of being right 🙂 & I can’t wait to see pictures & hear this little ones name!
Beth
Thanks! Gosh this mostly-grown-out-perm/bedhead thing is really working for me apparently 🙂 I can’t believe Henry is growing up too! I want to see more photos!!!!
Audrey
I am all for natural remedies, I completely believe God gave us resources on earth to help our ailments; but I also want to encourage you to pray for healing for your rhinitis! Pray with faith and expect healing, and God in His sovereignty will heal you in His timing. I personally have experienced His healing from gluten-intolerance (which was instant healing!) as well as an allergy to shell fish, and lactose intolerance. He can do it! Bless you sister
Beth
Thanks for your comment Audrey – I will definitely continue to pray for healing. That’s something that I’m not very good at – but I do believe that God can do it, so I will pray!
Kmarie
You look great!
Use a natural salt rinse in your nose a few times a day ( make sure it is your own home made recipe with BOILED water) snort it up:) and then put a little bit of soothing coconut oil..or use the baby salt nose drops you get from peters and put a few drops in.
There is pregnancy heart burn tea that helps a lot…I also used tums for the unbearable and it took the edge off. But mostly I kept rice crackers on hand as I felt when I munched continually the heartburn stayed away. Hope you feel better soon!
Beth
Hmm, I will try making my own saline rinse and seeing if that makes a difference. The saline spray does help a bit, just not enough.
Thanks for the tip on the heartburn tea – I will definitely check that out!
Stephanie
You look great Beth! Hope the home stretch is a good one for you. We’ll be thinking of you as the time approaches for this little one to great the world!!
Beth
Thanks Steph 🙂
Amanda
I had the SAME problem with Rhinitis and I had it all the way through nursing – where it seemed to get worse – I am now recovering after finishing nursing and the ONLY thing that helps me is a daily cocktail of: multi-vitamins (I use Shaklee), extra doses of cod liver oil (I use Green Pastures) and homemade milk kefir smoothies (but I’m sure any probiotic beverage would do). If I don’t take these daily, I feel the ick coming on as my body is still recovering.
Beth
Oh dear! Mine never continued through nursing, thank goodness!! You know – I haven’t been good at remembering my vitamins (I’m taking Mercola’s right now) and my CLO (I’d love to try Green Pastures to see if the fermented aspect makes a difference in how I feel). Homemade kefir is something I’ve not tried though… and I’d really like to. I’d love to try water kefir actually to give hubby a substitute for his pop cravings. Thanks for the comment!
Margi
We’re definitely on the same leg of the journey… your belly looks so much like mine right now! You look just gorgeous and I LOVE the hair!! I love the ‘real’ and scattered posts too… feels more like it’s just you and me chatting… which by the way we’ve gotta do again! Good luck on the last 10 weeks!! 🙂
Beth
So fun that we are at the same stage with this pregnancy. I actually know 6 women including myself who are all due within that same week in June… craziness!!
Alysia
You are so beautiful pregnant (and not pregnant too!)!! I love your picture, esp because Aliza is in the back of the picture (unless it is another random child haha). Yay for being in the home stretch!! 🙂
Beth
Thanks friend 🙂 And yup, that’s Aliza in the background. We were actually on our way out and about to get into the van… but the stroller was out and she plunked herself into it while we were taking photos! Silly girl. She’s so great 🙂
Andrea
Beth, you look so beautiful! Your belly is perfect and your hair is sooooo adorable! And I like the real/honest/scattered posts too 🙂 Hope you feel better soon and can find something that works for you!
Beth
Oh you are too sweet. Thanks for commenting so quickly – your words really made my night! xoxo!