This past week has been exhausting! Mexipino has removed all energy from me and I’ve been walking around like a zombie. Perfect for Halloween, right?
I don’t have any exciting stories that happened this week, but I do ask for prayers. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. Unfortunately, people are hush-hush about these horrible events. We need to remove the stigma, support these parents, and start the conversation.
“When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes…”
-Ronald Regan
In labor and delivery, we did everything we could to honor the little one’s life. From small mementos to feet molds…his/her life meant something. What do you say to make them feel better? More often than not, being present is enough. Maybe just a small greeting can brighten their day. A simple “I’m thinking of you” or “I’m praying for you” or “I’m here for you.” But don’t say something that negates the pregnancy/child.
There is no footprint so small that it does not leave an imprint on this world.
So I just ask for prayers for all these little angels and their parents, because I bet you know someone who has experienced this type of loss, even if they haven’t said something.
And hug your loved ones a little bit tighter today.
Read this post by Lemon Stripes about Surviving Miscarriage. It really puts life into reality.
[line] Bumpdate [line]
The aches and pains are REAL. Tight hips, swollen finger joints, shortness of breath…I don’t even wear my wedding rings because I’m afraid that they will get stuck! So I invested in some nice silicone ones.
I feel some Braxton-Hicks every now and then, usually goes away within seconds.
I hope Mexipino keeps his/her head down until he/she is ready to come out. My OB appointments are now every 2 weeks, until I’m 36 weeks then it will be every week.
We had our maternity photo shoot this past week! I’m excited to see the final products! We literally walked around nature in 50 degree weather and I wasn’t wearing the warmest clothing. But it was so worth it! I woke up the next morning with the worst sore throat and just felt awful, on top of being third trimester preggy. I’m thankful my hubby got up to make me his special tea.
The nursery is COMING TOGETHER! We painted, assembled furniture…now it’s time for my favorite part and Steve’s worst nightmare…decorating!
My parents came in this past weekend and helped us with the nursery…and planted some spring flowers! My mom also brought the rest of our gifts because they didn’t fit in our car! Washed some baby clothes and special ordered tulips for my front yard! Not to mention a tree!
I’ve been waking up consistently at 4am-5am-ish. Not because I want to, but because Mexipino is up doing his/her morning exercises. A mid day nap is needed all the time. I may even indulge in a splash of coffee at work because it’s becoming a struggle.
Nonetheless, I am exhausted. All the time.
Mexipino’s movements are getting stronger and STRONGER every day. Grateful for a healthy, bouncy babe…not so much for all the physical abuse my organs are getting.
I think I felt baby drop lower in my abdomen. When I was driving home one day, I felt this huge shift or placement on top of (what feels like) my bladder. I looked at the mirror when I got home and it looked like my belly dropped just a tad.
I used to get a lot of comments from my patients thinking I’m carrying a boy…now everyone has been saying girl. I think it’s so fun trying to guess the gender! Some people can’t believe I’m holding out, but I honestly just don’t want to know. I think it is all part of the birthing experience.
The pregnancy hormones are hitting me real hard. I accidentally hit “auto store” on my car radio which re-programs the radio stations and I just started ugly girl crying all the way home because I essentially ruined my organized car. I didn’t even try to fix it, my hubby did it for me because literally my world came crashing down for 20 minutes. My mom also told me a story about how her co-worker had to give their dog away because it was aggressive against their newborn baby…I cried all night thinking about giving away Domer.
[line] Previews from our Maternity Photoshoot [line]
Photography by: Stoneking Photography
More pictures to come!
