Krista Lauren

I have about a month until my due date. I am in the last of my third trimester, and time is going by way too fast. You always hear women say how they just cannot wait for their baby to get out, and I am on and off there. More-so off, though, I am scared of having a newborn! And despite being difficult, I have loved being pregnant with our sweet little angel.

My pregnancy is definitely getting rougher, though. I have carpal tunnel in my hands (normal during pregnancy), lots of abdominal discomfort, and Braxton Hicks are a new thing. Lightening crotch — check! Issues with peeing again — another check!

I fell asleep while watching a movie tonight, which gave a first trimester vibe. Baby kicks me and keeps me up, which gives more of an end to the second trimester.

I’ve been dealing with heartburn and shortness of breath (likely from pregnancy anemia so get your iron levels checked, ladies!) and I get this weird feeling that sweeps over me like I might faint when Baby pushes on just the right spot.

So yeah, I’m really freaking tired now. And a mini whale who cannot figure out how to get out of bed. Rolling to my side and pushing up seems to be best.

Despite being full of complaints thus far, I am actually very happy. I also have had far less pain throughout pregnancy than when I’m not pregnant. My doctors said that some people with POTS feel better while pregnant, and that has actually been the case with me. The sad thing is, I realize that I was actually in a decent amount of pain before this, but a lot less in my “new normal” life, so I felt like I was doing so well. I’m praying that this just sticks after I have Baby!

Do you feel like I complained a lot? I left things off the table, like how congested I’ve been since March, and how my legs and feet have begun to resemble the Michelin Man more than that of a human being. I cannot bend over, and it hurts like hell to engage my core at this point.

Let me tell you what makes all of this fade away — feeling sweet little toes kick excitedly in my ribs and belly. Even the ones that are hard enough to be uncomfortable are one of my favorite experiences. I was afraid of this before I got pregnant, since it sounds like it would be kind of odd and possibly even claustrophobic having a little person inside you. Now I am so scared I will miss it. Any time Baby kicks now, I drop what I’m doing and just play back with him. He likes to tease his daddy a little and will play once or twice to tease him, then sit still to see what happens. I can’t wait to see what his personality will be like once he starts developing once.

I really hope I love being a mom to a newborn. I’m truly terrified, but I was so scared to get pregnant and it has been the most special thing I’ve ever done. I love Baby boy so much, and the scientists are right about your entire brain chemistry changing when you get pregnant with your first. I’m still definitely “me,” but I am feeling a lot more right now and really emotional. We’ll see if that runs through the next few years too. I have heard you can deal with changes like this until two years after having your baby. God really made women so complex and interesting! I am amazed.