32 Weeks

From Baby Center:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Note from Jen:

First of all, what is a jicama? Honestly, I have never heard of it.

Anyway, this week was super busy and super fun. We had Van's 4D Ultrasound, the Big Baby Bash and my work baby shower. Van also got his room painted by his Auntie Sheree. It is amazing! I'll post pictures of the Big Baby Bash and the room painting soon.

Earlier this week I was having a really hard time with heartburn and acid reflux, so much so that it would wake me up throughout the night. No fun :( I called the doctor and she recommended that I try Maylox before we try a prescription. Except for a few annoying side affects, it is working wonders. No heartburn for me!

I am starting to get Braxton Hicks contractions every now and then. They mostly happen when we are out walking Pilot and vary between a sharp pain and just a tightening feeling. Even though some of them hurt, it is still good to know that my body is just getting ready for the birth. Hopefully our little guy will start thinking about turning into position soon. He still has plenty of time I guess, but it would be nice to know that he is ready to go.