I’m back with another pregnancy update! I am never sure how often or when I’m going to post, but I keep a running list of things to mention, and when it starts to get long I write a post. Plus, looking at my blog analytics, you guys clearly love the baby posts, so I suppose I will keep them coming!
Mood
I’m feeling really good! Good energy. Good appetite. Not too many cravings. I’m eating normally. I’m feeling normal. No food aversions; no nausea. I’m totally off all medicines. (Although I still take prenatal and probiotics.) I’m still sleeping well: 9-10 hours a night! No real need for naps. I think I’m just hanging out in this sweet spot. I’ve definitely got the cravings to start Nesting, as you saw. My only real issue is SI joint pain – see below!
Symptoms
SI joint pain is my #1 symptom. I went to see Cindy Janechild, body work extraordinaire, to help balance out my fascia and alignment and that helped. She showed me how to lie on the floor with my feet on a chair to neutralize the pelvis. And I’m wearing K-tape and/or a belly band when I exercise. I have a feeling I’m going to be dealing with this SI pain for a very long time.
I read some of my old Mazen posts from 17 & 18 weeks and I wrote that I had clogged pores on my chest and a stuffy nose. I have those same symptoms this time and laughed out loud when I read them. I’ve always heard “every pregnancy is so different” but so far this one and that one have been identical. I feel like I’m so much bigger this time because this time I can do this:
It’s like my body has some kind of muscle memory of where it stretched before and I can push it all out to that! I couldn’t do that with Mazen.
But normal posture bump-wise, it’s all about the same growth.
Mazen 18 weeks:
Baby Brother at the end of 17 weeks:
I’m finally (at 18 weeks) feeling a bit more like I’m walking through life bump first aka feeling pregnant. Most people notice that I am pregnant now. My “turn days” are on Mondays, meaning I turn from 17 weeks to 18 weeks on Mondays. I feel like every Monday I leap forward in progress (more movements, bigger bump) and then it just stalls out for the rest of the week. Babies do seem to grow right on cue!
Look at 15 weeks:
Compared to 18 (sorry I’m never facing the same way!)
I’ve been getting in some great workouts (with the belly band): lots of cycle classes, strength challenge, Afterburn, some running (but I’m taking walking breaks). I asked my doctor at my 18 week appointment if I had any restrictions other than contact sports and she said no, so long as I felt good I could continue. Listening to your body is the name of the game. I hope I can keep up the hard workouts – they do make me feel so good!
I gained 4 pounds between 10 and 14 weeks despite my nausea getting so much better during that time. I was kind of scared to see what would happen at 18 weeks, but I actually lost a pound! I’m guessing that’s my body balancing out a bit after the yucky first trimester and it’s a sign that the activity and eating well has paid off. I don’t mean to celebrate pregnancy weight loss since this season is about the baby growing, but I was very happy it wasn’t another large gain in a month. I think my body packs on the most pounds at the very beginning and the very end, which is what happened with Mazen too. I’m going to try not to have the “what the hell” attitude about eating in the last month and eat all the ice cream later this summer!
Movements
I’m feeling more movements, although they are still quite hard to feel. I think I’ve felt a kick or two, and sometimes I can feel my uterus get hard in a spot and assume he’s rubbing up against that part. I wrote in my 18 week post with Mazen that I felt a good strong few kicks that week, so I’m hoping I start to feel more of those soon! Baby B is the size of a soda can this week, which seems so big to me, and I’m just so in awe that he’s in there moving and growing and sucking his thumb already in there! I have tried to get Thomas feel my uterus and listen with his hands for movements, but he doesn’t like it when I bother the baby too much. It’s kind of like how kids are tempted to bang on an animal’s cage to get it to move – I am like an itchy kid trying to feel this baby move! Thomas is the parent saying “leave him alone!” Apparently the baby’s bones are hardening right around this time and movements will really pick up in the next few weeks.
That’s all I got!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Looking good, Kath! Glad you hear you’re feeling fine so far. Hope everything keeps going well. 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Tamara says
The part about banging on the dog cage made me laugh haha.. I don’t have a baby or a dog, but I do this to my fish… probably not a good thing. Love these posts!
Tonya says
oooh! I just realized that this time around we’ll have pup n toddler pics to look forward to! LOL
KathEats says
haha yup!
Jenn says
8 pictures of your ‘bump’ in a post about two weeks?? Extreme. Nobody cares about your bump that much.
KathEats says
And you, my friend, need to do some yoga today.
LSS says
BAHAHA I love this response! Go, Kath! *I* care about your bump!
Jessica says
I do too! I enjoyed this post.
Laura says
Love all your baby updates. Many thanks for sharing! 🙂
Kori says
Get the heck out, Jenn. I care about Kath’s bump, and no, it doesn’t require any quotations. She has an actual pregnant stomach, is excited to share, and we true KERF followers and supporters care. I so love your response, Kath! Keep your head held high as always. I hope you have a great week!
Kelly says
Great response Kath. As someone who is currently also on the pregnancy journey, I appreciate your pregnancy posts so much! Please keep up the bump photos. You look wonderful and you are giving lots of us mamas-to-be inspiration and very useful info! Thank you :).
Laura Swanson says
I love how Gus is in so many mirror selfies, like he has to be right there! Our dog is like that too!
KathEats says
He follows me all around 🙂 It’s sooooo weird if he’s ever not here!
Christin J Slyngman says
Love seeing the bump pictures and hearing the updates…keep it up! hugs,
Christin
Autumn says
My SI joint pain as way worse the second time around. Hope yours stays at bay!
Lisa C. says
I love the baby updates! Congrats to Mazen too on his graduation. 🙂
Christine says
Weight gain during pregnancy is so crazy! With my first I gained 60lbs and with my second 40lbs (I was so excited to have less weight to lose) BUT I still had the same stubborn 15lbs to lose after the initial weight lose within the first couple of months. Isn’t that crazy! So I say go live your best pregnant life and enjoy that ice cream 🙂
KathEats says
That is crazy! I’ll have to see how it all shakes out…(or sticks around for a year haha!)
Kim says
See a chiropractor if you’re having back pain during pregnancy. I saw one my whole pregnancy and felt fabulous the entire time!
KathEats says
I am in the office checking comments right now!!!
Kim says
Oh good!
Zima says
I just recalled that you were best friends with a chiropractor and his wife, nice perk while pregnant – do you still see him regularly?
KathEats says
I went to see one yesterday who specializes in pregnancy. I haven’t been to the chiro in a long time – eek!
Margaret Silverstein says
I just want to let you know how very sweet it is of you to share this with us especially going back and linking it up with your first pregnancy. I have 2 boys myself and it is cool to see another mom of 2 boys and the similarities in your pregnancies – mine were also very similar!
KathEats says
Thank you 🙂
polly says
yayyy yayy baby brother! I love these posts. you and T have any name ideas? (no need to share WHAT the name is, just wondered if you picked on yet!) so fun. happy for you guys!
XOXO
KathEats says
We do!!
Steph says
Just a thought: SI joint pain can be related to your pelvic floor (they’re connected!), which is likely getting some stress after years of not too much. Maybe ask your physical therapist or OBGYN if kegels or other similar exercises can provide relief!
Jessica says
I love reading your updates, Kath! I am currently expecting my first and am about a week behind you! I just turned 18 weeks today. I love checking your updates and seeing how you’re doing.
KathEats says
Congrats to you! Hope you’re feeling well
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Ugh that sucks about the SI pAin I’ve had issues with that forever but nothing to bad in pregnancy yet. Anyways lidocaine helps a lot and my doctor said it’s safe but you have to use the ones That are lidocaine only no menthol or other ingredients! I’m finally off all The meds too! Still struggling with nausea in the aM but not as bad !
Ttrockwood says
My very good friend was suffering the wost back pain when pregnant and tried acupuncture eventually which she called nothing short of a miracle of improvement. not surE what the options are in your area but the practice is thousands of years old because it *works*. She went every week for a few weeks and then just every2-3 weeks. Haha she tells freaking everyone about it! (I was already a believer since acupuncture fixed my crippling plantars fascitis (sp?) and the regular dr wanted me to just take drugs and wear a boot)
lynn says
Big congrats to you, Kath!
vicki says
I love bump pics! Keep ’em coming.
I have 18 months between my son and daughter but think your gap sounds fab. My eldest is now six and having a sibling now would be so different. I think I’d enjoy it more.
Kath – how old will you be when baby arrives?
KathEats says
I’ll be 35 or 36 depending on which day he comes! My birthday is October 26 and he’s due October 22
Abbie says
Loved this, Kath! Congratulations! Can I ask what prenatal you take or recommend? Thank you!
KathEats says
I really like the Garden of Life brand!