I have so much to catch you up on in my 29 weeks pregnancy update. I had a pretty big appointment last week at 28 weeks that included an ultrasound and then today I had an elective 3D ultrasound that was just the coolest thing ever.
Let’s get to it!
29 WEEKS PREGNANCY UPDATE
Well, baby boy has already blown these measurements out of the water. At 28 weeks he was already measuring 2 pounds, 14 ounces so I’m sure he’s well over 3 by now since he’s gaining about half a pound a week these days. He was also measuring long, I’m not sure what the official length was but his thigh bone was measuring at 31 weeks! I’m not sure where he’s getting that length from because neither mom nor dad are especially tall or long-limbed!
Things to note on baby development…
- Major developments are finished and baby is now gaining weight quickly and putting on fat stores.
- Baby’s already dreaming. Baby has sleep cycles, including REM sleep, which is when dreaming happens.
- Even though baby is starting to get cramped in there, he’s very active at this point and moving around a ton.
HOW I’M FEELING AT 29 WEEKS PREGNANT
Weight gain/body changes: still sitting at the 13-15 pound weight gain mark. I talked to my doctor about it last week and he said since baby’s growth was so good on the ultrasound that he’s not worried about it but told me I might want to try to get an extra calorie boost in each day. I was like, “I can do that. No problem.” 🙂
As far as body changes, my belly is REALLY starting to change and grow. I think it’s wild in the weekly photo comparison up top how much higher he looks this week than last. I have received so many comments over the last few days that I’ve really popped. Last weekend was crazy, I swear that my belly changed noticeably between Saturday and Sunday.
Workouts/Workout Modifications: So after discussing my hospital scare + the Braxton-Hicks contractions I’d been having + everything else on my plate with my regular OB, we came to an agreement that I slow WAY down until I reach 32-33 weeks. He just really wants me to get to that point with no further complications because baby boy will be in such a better and stronger place. He said the issue isn’t with the baby but that I just have an “irritable uterus.”
He didn’t recommend bed rest but did recommend an overall reduction in activity. I’m giving up several of my classes (including all but one weekly strength class), taking two FULL days off of teaching each week and avoiding any HIIT-type workouts or running. I’m good to go on walking, a small amount of light/easy lifting and some yoga.
The only workout I’ve done since last week’s update is walking and I’ve been really okay with that. This is such a short season of life and my focus is 100% on growing this baby boy as big and strong as I can.
Symptoms:
- Constant breakouts on my cheeks. My skin hasn’t been clear in months. I always have spots on my cheeks and it’s only my cheeks…nowhere else!
- Had my first bout of heartburn last week but it was only one afternoon and hasn’t come back since. Ahhh…I hope I can keep that at bay because it sucks!
- This is so random but one thing I have noticed with pregnancy is that it’s helped my Reynaud’s Syndrome. I have that thing where my fingers/toes go numb if I get chilled. It’s not unusual for me to wear gloves in the grocery store during the winter and typically my fingers are numb walking the dogs if it’s 50 degrees or under. I haven’t had it AT ALL since I’ve been pregnant! I still get cold but no numbness. It’s been amazing.
Sleep: has been on and off. Marginally better than last week. Starting to have to get up and go to the bathroom at least once a night, sometimes twice.
Food aversions/cravings: I’m a big no on seafood and most vegetables. I don’t remember the last time I had fish and the thought of shellfish is gag-inducing. I can eat vegetables but I’m never excited about them these days. A hamburger sounds doable but I was at Dorie’s last week and was offered steak and salad and I was like NO THANK YOU. Pregnancy is so weird. I’m still good with smoothies, pasta, bread, pizza, rice, chips, etc.
Watching/reading/listening: I’m currently listening to Brain Rules for Baby on Audible.
28 WEEK ULTRASOUND + APPOINTMENT
(Most flattering photo ever, right?)
I had a pretty big appointment at 28 weeks for my gestational diabetes screen and an ultrasound to check the baby’s heart. Tanner could not come with me because he was on the yoga retreat (which I could not go on this year due to Zika) and I was unable to reschedule the appointment but BFF Dorie tagged along and my US tech let us record the ultrasound so he could watch it later.
The good news is that I passed my GD screen. That drink was rough but not too bad. I was SO grateful that I passed because given my carb preferences these days when it comes to food.
All looked good on the ultrasound but the baby still has the echogenic focus on his heart. It’s basically a calcification. Both the ultrasound tech and my doctor assured me that it is very small and can be common in boys but we are doing another ultrasound at 32 weeks to check him again.
He was so funny during the ultrasound. He was sleeping when she first started and then woke up and pulled his feet up over his head and would NOT move his feet from in front of his face.
Baby is head down right now!
3D ELECTIVE ULTRASOUND
Many of my friends recommended that I do a 3D ultrasound and after researching it, I learned that I was right in the recommended window to do one so I booked one for this morning at My Carolina Baby.
Oh my goodness y’all, it was the coolest thing. Ginger was our ultrasound tech and she spent a whole hour with us watching the baby. Look at those sweet lips and that nose!
He had his hands in front of his face almost the whole time and was super active. He was moving all over the place in there. We got to see him yawn a few times and he kept opening his eyes!
We can’t wait to meet you baby G! (He has a first name…we’ve gotten that far!)
If you are pregnant and have the opportunity to do a 3D ultrasound, I totally recommend it. If you’re here in Charlotte, we had a wonderful experience with My Carolina Baby.
QUESTIONS
Did you have a 3D ultrasound? Were you able to get good photos?
Recommendations for baby shower dresses? Mine are in late March and mid-April so I’ll be looking for something springy.
Did baby sleep in your room for a while when you came home from the hospital? If so, what sleeping arrangement/apparatus did you do/use? I’m thinking this is definitely something that I want to do.
You look so great Jen! Crazy how much your bump can change from one week to the next. Also- that 3D is insane! How cool to see baby boy 🙂
I know, I can’t believe how much it changes. Sometimes day-to-day. Very cool what he’s doing in there!
Hi Jen! Glad your appointments went well. For my 2nd pregnancy I also struggled with weight gain. I also let peoples comments worry me too. My doctor was like you and said since baby is good keep on keeping on!
I wanted to give a brief shout out. I have no history of raynauds phenomenon however I developed it on my nipples for breastfeeding (which took a long time and a lot of tears to get diagnosed). Since you have a history of it I thought I would mention it so you can hopefully be quicker to a diagnosis then me -if needed. Apparently it is pretty rare!
Yay! For diabetes screening pass-that stuff is gross.
Love your updates!
Sam
I didn’t answer your questions lol! We slept with our kids in the room for a couple months. We had a pack-n-play that had a bassinet attachment. That pack n play has been well used! I moved the kids as soon as pediatrician said it was OK. Those babies are LOUD!
I registered for the pack and play with the bassinet attachment! Great to hear from some of y’all that it was a good choice!
The Raynauld’s and breastfeeding thing is so wild! Thank you for telling me that so I’m prepared if it happens!
Yes- I was going to comment on the Raynaud’s thing and breastfeeding. I have Raynaud’s and experienced vasospasms when breastfeeding my first and it was horrendous…but easily solved with support from a lactation specialist! She gave me techniques that solved the problem completely!
You look amazing! The picture of health and so glowing. This is a great look! My son slept in the rock-n-play in our room until he was 10 months, and he would probably still be in it except he had completely outgrown it! I did not do a 3D ultrasound; I wish I had, but I’m fortunate (and super spoiled) that I could US myself and play around several times a week at work.
Thank you Catherine! I appreciate the kind words!
The 3D ultrasound was a super cool pregnancy experience. I’m glad we did it.
I just wanted to tell you I had a very irritable uterus and my baby boy was late so try not to worry! ??
Erica – thank you thank you so much for sharing this. So comforting.
Rock and play in our room (for way too long!) but it was an absolute lifesaver and only way my son would sleep! It’s a hard transition to get them out of it but if it gets you sleep it’s worth it! It’s so easy right next to your bed for those middle of the night feedings, I barely opened my eyes!
This is why I, as a infant teacher, do not recommend rock and play. Most babies who come from them are awful sleepers for a while afterward. Just my 2c!
Do you think that could stem from them being used to being rocked to sleep, and cribs don’t rock? An experienced mommy friend shared that thought with me, so my son slept in the RNP but we didn’t actually turn the rocking motion on.
Thanks Julie! I’ve had so many sing the praises of the rock-n-play in those early days!
I had an irritable uterus, too. SO many BH starting at 16 weeks. Walking set them off, but lifting weights and swimming felt great.
You’re looking awesome, Jen!
Also, we tried a bassinet in our room, but tbh, she ended up in the Rock n play most nights until she was 3.5 months and we moved her to her crib. Those things are magic!!!
Thank you so much for these encouraging words about the irritable uterus. It’s so nice to hear your experience as it’s been a little bit of an unsettling thing to deal with on a pretty much constant basis.
You look amazing and you can definitely tell baby G is higher!
Shoppinkblush has some nice dresses and ASOS maternity as well.
Emilia is 4-months old and still in our room. She sleeps in a Halo bassinet.
Thank you so much Stephanie!
I will check out the pink blush. I had never heard of it!
Ok, this is making me want another baby (and I already have 3!!!). My youngest is almost 8 months and still in our room-was in a Halo bassinet until about a month ago, now in a Nuna pack and play. You’ll have to do what works for you and what you’re comfortable with, I personally didn’t put my babies in their own rooms until they could get themselves into a seated position on their own (they did take naps in their cribs but I was always nearby and checking on them every 5 minutes!). If you nurse, it’s definitely worth it to have baby close by at night. I use a Himalayan salt lamp bc its not too bright but gives me enough light to change her diaper and see what I’m doing. I liked the Halo bassinet, but it was borrowed from a friend and if I was going to buy something I’d probably go with something else. A pack n play will work, doesn’t vibrate or anything but you can use it for a long time.
Haha, sorry for the baby fever! 🙂
I registered for the salt lamp! And also a pack and play and a bassinet so we’ll see what works best!
How fun to have the 3D pictures. What a cutie!! My baby’s turns 3 months Friday and we are just trying to transition her to a crib in her own room. Since birth she was in the Halo bassinet (which I loved!) but has outgrown it. Tried a pack n play but wasn’t working so giving the crib a try. It’s such a hit or miss trying to figure out what works— and then it will change!
Thank you Katy. It’s reassuring to hear that it’s been trial and error for others and there’s no set way to do it. Seems like that applies to all things baby!
Dock-A-Tot!!! My 13 month old lovesss it, I’ve used it since the day she came home from the hospital , we ordered a second for our due any day now babe. Wish it had been around for my 5yo- we used Rock N Play with her but had a rough rough rough transition to crib :/ (which was probably due to me not being able to handle the crying and nothing to do with the Rock n play Ha!)
Side note: all the hugs on your hospital scare – kids like to start giving us a run for our money from day one! I’ve had to scale way back on certain exercises and mainly “talk teach” a few group fitness class portions on my 3rd pregnancy due to how close together my 2nd and 3rd will be – I have been utterly terrified of preterm labor! Hang in there, you’re right – it’s such a short season to scale back and take rest when needed – we got this <3
Thank you, I registered for a dock-a-tot! Wonderful to hear it’s been good for you!
I appreciate the kindness on my hospital scare. I’m pretty much only doing talk teaching at this point, which isn’t so bad and I know it’s what I need to be doing. And yes, such a short time…we’ll be back before we know it!
DockATot!!! So amazing, used for my 3rd but not my first 2 and Baby 3 slept longest stretches at night. So nice to have her with us and not have to get out of bed to nurse during the night. Good luck!!
Thank you! I registered for one!
Gaviscon chewables worked miracles on my haeartburn with #2. Glad all is well! Rest up and stay hydrated!! I had some of the same scares and mostly due to hydration, irratble uterus. Enjoy the last weeks of pregnancy!
Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement Mindi!
My baby slept in our room for five months then transitioned to crib. I borrowed a halo bassinet from a friend and used it until he outgrew it then used a pack n play for a couple months. For breastfeeding I would definitely recommend having baby sleep beside of bed in the beginning. But I will say our pediatrician was shocked I had him in our room for so long. She said he will sleep through the night when you put him in his own room because he can smell your boobs and that you are near in your room!! No lie the first night we put him in his own room I cried and cried And he slept for 12 hours straight and has every night since and is currently 13 mos old so she was so right!! But I had to do it when I was ready and felt comfortable? to each their own!! Every baby is so different!
The smelling boobs/milk thing that some of you have commented on is wild! I never imagined!
Thank you for sharing your transition experience. It’s helpful!
You look awesome Jen!! So so excited for you!
We did Halo Bassinet for 1 month and then into the crib!!! It made the middle of the night feedings easy for when she was waking so often, but since she was gaining weight well- the day 1 month hit, we put her in her room. Those little babies are LOUD!! I couldn’t sleep well because she’d wake me up and it turns out she slept longer stretches because we weren’t waking her either! For naps around the house & when we traveled – rock n play! I almost put her in the rock b play in our room at night but heard of so many people saying baby was in their rooms for MONTHS! Mama needed her sleep ??
I have been so shocked to hear everyone comment how loud the little babes are! So crazy! 🙂
I registered for the rock and play but I’m going to try to only use that for naps and around the house and not for nighttime sleep based on the feedback I’ve received!
Man I wish I’d read this a few weeks ago when i scheduled my 3D ultrasound! I live just a few miles from the arboretum and scheduled mine at a boutique ultrasound place up by the lake! I looked at a few others in Charlotte and found their websites to be riddled with grammatical errors and very unprofessional and it turned me off… I don’t know why My Carolina Baby didn’t come up in my search results! My ultrasound is tomorrow so a little too late to change now. Glad yours went well!
Oh no! I’m sorry Laura! I hope your appointment went well. Let me know what you thought!
If you can avoid nighttime sleeping in the rock n play, it will help with transition to the crib! I followed “Moms on Call” routine/suggestions and would certainly recommend it! I believe most pediatric docs recommend swaddling on their backs in a crib. Do what is best for you but this is what worked for me!
ASOS for dresses 🙂
I thinking I’ll definitely try bassinet sleeping first based on some of the things others have shared. I’ve heard good things about Moms on Call! Thanks for reminding me!
You look amazing and so does he! So exciting and can’t wait to hear his name!
Thank you Blaire! xx
You look so wonderful, Jen. So happy! That 3D ultrasound is amazing!
Thank you Joy! It was an incredible experience!
3D ultrasounds are so much cooler! That little face!
I got my baby shower dress from ASOS. They have a lot of maternity options and are really reasonably priced, which is nice because you’re probably not going to have the opportunity to re-wear the dress a bunch.
My son slept in the rock-n-play FOREVER and only stopped when he outgrew it. He slept great in there, but he did not transition well to a crib (and still hasn’t), and I do wonder whether the rock-n-play had something to do with it. I’m pregnant again and am going to try to get this one used to sleeping on a flat surface earlier, but I also know that when you’re sleep deprived, you’ll put that baby anywhere (that’s safe, obviously) that helps him sleep well.
They are super cool! It was an awesome experience!
I have never shopped from ASOS but am definitely going to check it out. I get “dressed” so infrequently that it’s hard for me to justify buying any maternity clothes!
You look great!
We had babies in crib quickly but have 2 big dogs and one is usually on our bed and so I was more nervous about them. Both babies cribs were maybe 20 feet from our bed so thankfully they were close.
Dress: Seraphine knot front dress. They make all different styles and colors but the dress is very flattering!
Yes!! I had that dress in coral and felt SO sexy.
Thank you! And I will check out that dress!
6 weeks in a bassinet beside our bed. Then she moved to the crib. She would kick and have gas and make a ton of noise at night! We all slept better after moving to the crib! Her room is beside ours so it was not a long walk for me to go in there for nursing. I believe there is a Raynaud thing you can get with nursing, may want to read up on that before the birth just in case it were to happen to you after you begin nursing.
I have been so surprised to read about the Raynaud’s nursing thing. Crazy!
Hi Jen–with our son he slept in the bassinet attachment in the Pack and Play. He stayed there for about 8 weeks then we moved him into his crib in his bedroom. I’m a light sleeper and babies are a lot noisier than you’d think. Even with getting up in the night to nurse him it worked better to have him out of the room. Check with your doctor but I swaddled him every night and he slept so much better. I wish someone had taught me to swaddle when I had my daughter!! Also, Pea in the Pod has really cute maternity dresses. I got my dresses for both of my pregnancies there as well as other cute outfits.
I have registered for the pack and play with the bassinet attachment! Good to know! So crazy to hear how loud these little ones are while they sleep from everyone. I never knew! I registered for a bunch of swaddles so we’ll see how that goes! I will check out Pea in the Pod. We have one here!
Hey Jen!
I have a couple maxi dresses from pink blush maternity. I will probably wear one for my shower early in march and then take them on our baby moon little trip easter weekend, but otherwise you are welcome to borrow them if you’d like! I’ve been reading about what to do for in-room sleeping the first few months. There are some serious safety concerns for the Dock-a-Tot and overnight sleep in the rock-n-play, even in the newborn cuddler in the pack n play. You know I’m all over the SIDS risks! We are going to get a simple Pack n play with a bassinet and have her sleep in there. Its not fancy, but its inexpensive, safe and convenient. Am loving the Baby Bargains book if you haven’t read it yet. So helpful!
You are so kind to offer. Thank you! And I’ll check that store out.
Thank you for sharing about the risks you’ve learned about with the dock-a-tot and the rock-n-play! I would totally expect you to be on top of these things! 😉
I have registered for the pack n play with the bassinet attachment and also a bassinet so we’ll see what seems like the better option!
I’m so happy you got to see what sweet face and that you have a name chosen!! Those are big steps with bonding. 🙂
We had Charley in our room for 8 weeks in an arm’s reach co-sleeper, which was convenient for breastfeeding. At 8 weeks she transitioned to her crib very smoothly (the surface of the arm’s reach is flat and firm like a crib mattress) and we both slept better because she couldn’t smell the milk and I couldn’t hear her little baby grunts. 🙂 But not everyone is comfortable with that, so you should do what you feel in your heart is right! You won’t know until you get there. 🙂 But I do recommend the arm’s reach sleeper – it’s only about $140 new and we were able to resell it on craigslist for $70. Definitely a plus since we only had it for 8 weeks. It also makes a good diaper changing station in a pinch!
Yes, it totally made everything seem more real. <3
Thank you thank you for the words on the co-sleeper and sharing your experience! Super helpful!
Both of my boys started out in a bassinet in our room. Son 1 was in there until he started sleeping through the night, just before 3 months old. With son 2, we were living in a new house and his bedroom was just across the hall (instead of on the other side of the house), so right around 7 weeks I decided to give the crib a try (since, as others have said, newborns are LOUD so I wasn’t sleeping well even when he was!). Voila! Slept through the night and we never turned back. Worth noting, we had zero problems transitioning to the crib from the bassinet with both boys. I know lots of moms love the Rock n Play. We didn’t have one so I can’t say for sure, but I suspect that the fact that they both slept lying flat from day 1 may have helped make the crib transition smoother.
Pea in the Pod, Motherhood, and Target often have some cute dresses.
My nursery is also just right across the hall so not too far so we’ll see how long room sleeping lasts! 🙂 I had no idea these little ones were such loud sleepers. I think I’m going to give the lay flat a try unless we have digestion or reflux issues!
One idea for maternity clothes, especially something you might just wear once or twice for a special occasion, is a baby consignment store. I bought a few maternity dresses there that were more upscale than I probably would have purchased new. A consignment store is great for baby items that you might only use for a few months, too (or that you aren’t sure your baby will like).
Our baby girl (now 11 months) slept in our room for maybe 6 or 8 weeks? In a not very fancy fold-up bassinet. And then we moved her to her crib and had a video monitor. As several people have said, both we and the baby got better sleep that way. Babies are surprisingly loud sleepers! I had no idea.
Yes, I am totally open to consignment and thinking about browsing ThredUP online. And I’ve heard great things about secondhand shopping for baby stuff and it seems to make a lot of sense because they do grow/age out of things so quickly.
I’ve been so surprised about everyone’s comments on loud baby sleeping. Who knew!?
It is so fun to see them on the big screen:)
My first slept in the arms reach co-sleeper (we used it as a bassinet/not attached to the bed) in our room for about 4 weeks. Our place at the time was small and the nursery was so close that we could hear him without a monitor. Honestly, we all slept so much better when he moved to his own room and he was a great sleeper. My second was in our room a lot longer, I think 4-5 months, because his nursery was on another floor so it just made sense. I always tell new moms to try it out and see how it goes. Nothing is set in stone, you might keep him there for a while or decide he’s better in his own room.
My nursery is super close too so I’ll just see how it goes and what feels best/right! 🙂
I would suggest anything that doesnt move or vibrate for sleep. They are super tiny but they are humans and you as a parent, are teaching them how to sleep. it is a hard thing to get away from. I think you will definitely want to keep the baby close by for a while!
This is such a great point! Thank you!