It’s crazy to think but we’re in the final countdown to baby #3. It’s kind of hitting me but also not at all. Like I still feel like I have all the time in the world, and then I tell someone my due date and they’re like, “That’s so soon!” I think I’m more relaxed about the pending arrival of our third baby because I know the drill by now. We don’t need a lot of baby gear (here’s what we are getting for baby #3) or clothes and I don’t need to read a million books (although I’m sure I could use a refresher). There are a lot of things I need to get done for work and the blog before baby arrives and some things I’d like to get settled, but there’s also a lot of chaos happening out of our control (putting our place on the market, finding a new home, etc.) that I won’t be able to completely plan for or button up before the baby’s arrival, and I’m at the point, where I’m okay with that. Still, I feel like I should be doing more and I’ve been thinking more about what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy. I feel like there’s so much I should be doing but I’m mostly just focusing on work prep.
I have been getting a lot of questions recently about the pregnancy, our plans for when baby arrives, and some requests for advice for what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy or in those last few weeks/months. I have been meaning to share this update for a couple weeks, but things have been so crazy, I haven’t had a moment to sit down and write it up. But I’m finally making the time. Here is a third trimester update for baby #3 with answers to all the questions you guys have been sending me — plus, some tips and advice for what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy.
How are you feeling?
Pregnant! Not that I wasn’t feeling pregnant before, but I think I’m so much more busy this time around and there’s so much else going on personally, professionally and in the world, that I don’t think about it as much as I did my first and second pregnancy. Or maybe I’m just forgetting. But now I’m starting to feel like wow I’m really pregnant. Obviously it’s becoming a bigger issue when I’m getting dressed. Sweaters are cropped, jackets aren’t zipping, and I finally made the switch to maternity jeans. Beyond dressing though, getting larger means it’s harder to chase after the kids, get up when I am on the floor playing with them, and I’m generally pretty exhausted. I’m also finding the third trimester pregnancy symptoms are kicking in: peeing a million times a night, insomnia, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and general indigestion. With that said, it hasn’t been so bad and I’m generally feeling pretty good. I still enjoy being pregnant, and I like the bump and all so I can’t complain.
How does this pregnancy compare to your last two?
I’ve been getting this question a lot and I’m finding it hard to answer. I don’t totally remember to be honest. I think you block out some of the experience after you give birth. Not because it was so terrible or anything (I actually have loved being pregs all three times), but so much happens afterward that it becomes a distant memory. I think the biggest difference this time around is that I’ve been more scared than in the past that something will go wrong. Having a traumatic miscarriage right before this pregnancy really did a number on my anxiety, and I still worry about losing the baby even at this point in the pregnancy. I am not necessarily being more cautious than my other pregnancies — I was pretty cautious for both — but the worry is greater. I haven’t been able to really have that moment of relaxing and being like this is happening. We also have dear friends who have been going through hell in the NICU with their baby, and watching them live this nightmare has made it hard to believe in the good in the world and the tendency for things to go OK.
Other than that, I think this one is harder because there’s absolutely no down time with two little kids to chase after and in general, work and the blog have been more demanding. It’s also my first time being pregnant during a pandemic, which of course brings about it’s own issues and worries. Andrew has been able to go to appointments and ultrasounds with me for the most part, but there’s more caution and fewer appointments and more regulations for the hospital to think about. There was also one emergency scan we had after I had some bleeding early on and he wasn’t allowed in the room with me and that was very hard. But I feel very lucky that I’m able to have him with me for most of the ultrasounds and appointments and that he’ll be able to be with me when I deliver, which I know wasn’t the case for so many brave women at the start of the pandemic.
I will say that each pregnancy gets easier in some ways because you know the drill and little hacks and tricks to make it better. It’s less scary and you are more confident in your body’s ability to handle it. But it’s also more draining. So I guess my number one tip for what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy is to sleep as much as you can (when you’re not peeing ten times in the middle of the night).
Are you going to move before the baby arrives?
That’s the question of the hour. The plan is to move but not before the baby arrives. The market is crazy right now, so we will see what happens, but the plan is to be here when the baby arrives and hopefully, until end of school year.
Can we see nursery plans and/or pics?
I wish I had one to share! Since we will be moving and I usually keep the babies in our room while I’m doing night feeds, I haven’t converted one of the rooms to a nursery. I know one of most popular answers for what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy is to prep the nursery, but that just hasn’t been the case for my last two pregnancies because we haven’t been able to move before the baby arrives. It certainly would be fun to be prepping a nursery right now and have everything settled, but if that’s not the case for you either, I’m here to say, it’s totally fine. They can sleep with you or in an office or undecorated room and they’ll be totally fine. With that said, once we find our next place to live, I will hopefully be able to have fun designing a sweet little nursery and I’ll share the plans then. But I do have plans to finally share Charlotte’s nursery and James’ “big boy” room — we finally got them shot and I can’t wait to share.
Are you still able to exercise at this point in your pregnancy?
Yes! I will admit I’m a lot less motivated and have to basically force myself to workout, but I’m trying to get some exercise in every day at least during the week. I am counting chasing after my kids as my weekend cardio. I shared a post with my pregnancy workout routine and I’m really trying to keep with it until I deliver (though ask me in a couple weeks and I may be singing a different tune). I’m starting to think about delivery and postpartum recovery, and I know both will be so much easier if I keep moving now even if I’m not working out at my pre-pregnancy level by any means. In addition to sleep, I’d say that if you’re thinking of what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy, continuing to exercise or just finding a way to get moving each day is a good goal. I haven’t had a tough labor with any of my kids, but I have been told that it makes the labor and delivery easier and I have noticed it makes a difference in postpartum recovery.
Have you been eating more in your third trimester?
I am finding that I’m at that stage where there’s not that much room in my belly anymore. I get fuller faster. Just drinking a selzer or a coffee can make me feel super full. With that said, I am hungrier than ever and definitely not eating any less. I just feel really uncomfortable after most meals, but still, she never learns. I know the wisdom would be to eat smaller meals more frequently, but I just haven’t mastered that. I find myself ravenous at mealtimes. I am trying to keep it somewhat healthy and to curb the sweets etc. but my willpower is decreasing by the day. I think it’s less cravings though and more with so much craziness happening in the world right now, I am craving candy and comfort food, which I feel like a lot of people are rn? Could also be that it’s January and freezing and I’m storing up for summer.
Do you have a birth plan?
I haven’t had a birth plan with any of my kids. My goal is just to get the baby out as safely as possible. Ideally I will have another vaginal birth and I’d like for it to go as smoothly as my other two, but I know these things are rarely in our control, so I’m going to hope for the best and rely on my doctor (who I trust implicitly — she delivered both my other babies) to help me make the best decisions for a healthy, safe delivery. With that said, I think coming up with a birth plan can be great for some parents to be. In fact, if you’re wondering what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy, I would definitely talking to your doctor about the plan for your baby’s birth, sharing a birth plan if you have one, and getting the scoop on what will happen and any regulations their practice or your hospital may have.
Are you worried about Covid and being pregnant and giving birth?
Yes. It’s definitely on my mind. I’m trying to do everything I can do stay healthy and Covid-free and same for my family. I’m hoping cases will start to come down as we near my delivery date. But right now, with cases on the rise and young children, it’s definitely scary.
Are you taking maternity leave? Will you be taking time off from the blog?
Yes, I’m fortunate to work at a company that offers paid maternity leave. I am trying to work ahead to plan out blog posts and content for here so that it won’t feel like I’m abandoning the site and to give me at least a few weeks to just focus on our family and new addition. I won’t be going dark on here I promise, but I’m going to give myself some grace on my weekly outfit posts. Not sure how soon after I have the baby I’ll feel like getting dressed, so you might notice a couple weeks (or more) where What I Wore This Week will be on hiatus. With that said, I’m really going to try to be real and show you what I’m wearing even if it’s not glamorous. Please bear with me if I’m a little behind on here. Definitely follow me on Instagram where it’s easier to share more in real time content, especially during 3am nursing sessions.
Are you planning to breastfeed?
I’d like to. I did with both my other kids (I shared my breastfeeding journey here), so I’m hoping to again this time. With that said, I believe fed is best, so I’ll do whatever works best for the baby and I.
How are you prepping the kids?
We need to start working on that. I’ve been talking more about the baby coming and involving them more in prepping for baby. But I think it’s going to be a big adjustment no matter what, and I don’t want them to feel anxious about any changes. I am reading some books about becoming a big brother/sister and then thinking of how we will make the transition easier for them once the baby arrives. One thing we’ll definitely be doing is having them help in taking care of the baby so they feel involved and carving out one on one time for them so they get mom time still. But other than that, I’m anticipating it being a bit of a shitshow to start, a tough adjustment for the kids, and that there will probably be some tantrums and regressions.
Do you do anything to prepare for labor and delivery?
I think a lot of people who asked what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy probably had this question too. I don’t have the best answer tbh. Not really? I mean I’ll be tackling the major to-dos: packing a hospital bag, making sure I have a bassinet set up and some newborn diapers, sanitizing bottles and pump parts if I need, getting gifts for the baby to bring their big siblings, washing 0-3 month baby clothes, and then installing the carseat before. I also want to make sure we have a plan in place for what we’ll do with the kids when I go into labor. Luckily, my in-laws now live close, but with Charlotte, we had to bring James to the hospital with us in the middle of the night and that wasn’t the best move (but totally worked out).
But in terms of physically preparing, I don’t know that there’s that much you can do. If it’s your first go, maybe take a class and do a hospital tour if you think it’ll make you feel more comfortable. I think exercising and trying to eat somewhat healthy and take it as easy as I can when I can is all I can really do to prep.
How are you dressing as your bump is getting bigger?
Good question. I am starting to feel like I just want to give up if I’m being honest. It’s cold and dreary here, I’m working from home, and with Covid and frankly a shit start to 2022, my motivation is evaporating fast. I just want to be in stretchy pants and one of Andrew’s sweaters. With that said, I often have to get dressed for work and other things, so I am doing a lot of roomy maxi and tent dresses, longer sweaters with jeans and leggings and some maternity jumpsuits. I am sharing my weekly outfits on the blog with a lot of outfits I’m wearing as I get bigger. And here are my favorite winter pregnancy outfits.
I know that wasn’t a ton of info on what to do in your third trimester of pregnancy, but hopefully I answered some questions that might be helpful and DM me with any others. Can’t believe baby #3 will be making their debut so soon!
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