33 Weeks

33 Weeks: 6.26.12

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark.

She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist.

Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

Update:

-  This week has been exhausting for me.  After traveling the last 2 weekends in a row for weddings and baby showers, I needed a break.  I went back to work Thursday and by Monday I was burnt out and needed a nap. 

- Little M has now set up shop high in my ribs and has started kicking me.  Even my coworkers were asking if I was okay on Monday because I kept making faces and grabbing at my belly. I was actually grimacing from your jabs! I don't think you like me sitting for long periods of time, because I must be squishing "your space" but too bad little lady... I work 4 10's so get used to it.

- Sunday 6.24.12 Dad and I assembled your swing, exersaucer and pack and play. All those boxes were taking up room in the dining room and we decided to tackle it and get it ready for you.

-  I finally got adjusted yesterday and was long overdue. I even got put in the room that has the drop down table with the cutout for my belly. I guess that means I am getting big enough now, with 7 weeks to go! :) I feel so much better, and slept great last night. And even talked to my chiropractor about his newest arrival who is just a little over 2 weeks old!

- Today I'm finishing up the last few thank you notes for all the good stuff I received at my baby shower. It was a big task, but I am so grateful for wonderful friends and family members.

- I definitely feel like I am starting to waddle. (Especially after sitting for long periods of time) Even laying on my side on the couch has proven interesting. And I am having troubles sleeping through the night in the last week.

- I don't feel like I have full blown carpal tunnel, but after having a week off and then going back to work and repeatedly doing my job over and over my hands do get a little sore. 

- I'm thinking a prenatal massage may be in order. I received a gift card for my birthday, and as a reward to myself for getting things accomplished in a timely matter I feel I owe myself!  (and to relieve my aches and pains and just relax!!)

- The heat is taking a toll on me! Thank god for a/c!! The last week since we got home it has been consistently in the mid to upper 90's! Today's high is 101 and tomorrow it is supposed to be 104!! We might go to the pool and take a dip for awhile but otherwise I will be inside.