Week 36 Pregnancy VLOG, baby 4 by Teresa Palmer
WHAT WEEK?
36
HOW BIG IS BABY?
Bubs is around 5.5 - 6lbs (2.4kg into 2.7kg) this week and the size of a papaya
WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW THIS WEEK?
I definitely feel as though more of my cervical plug came away. I have also been having pretty strong braxton hicks. Yesterday at 36 + 3 I had them for about 2 hours straight every 5 minutes. I always think that any of this action means labour will be less hard work and hopefully not as long.
MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT?
I’ve had a bit of a back ache this week, I know it’s just the relaxin hormone flowing and my body prepping for labour. It wasn’t anything too crazy but I definitely noticed it. I’ve been having some foot cramping during exercise too but other than that everything has been very easy to navigate!
MOST EXCITING MOMENT?
I had a phone call with one of my specialists this week and she said that if the babe tests negative for the antigen (and we will know by 37 + 2) we have her full permission to have a homebirth, if she tests positive then the recommendation is delivery before 38 weeks. Which doesn’t give me much time before needing to have the babe. She also reiterated that it’s a recommendation. I guess there’s a part of me that feels excited to know our baby could be in our arms in a week or two but that scenario also feels surreal and nerve-racking. What a wild ride this has been, so much back and forth in terms of how our birth will go but there more I keep letting go of expectations the better.
STARTING WEIGHT?
116lbs/52kg
CURRENT WEIGHT?
Start of the week- 142.4lbs/64kg and end of the week 144.8lbs/65kg so growth spurt?! Or maybe all those vegan cheesecakes are catching up with me!
EXERCISE?
I’ve been closing my exercise ring every day by hiking up our hill with the dogs and back down again for a light jog by the dam, then another full lap of the property (10 acres) before doing my light moving on the trampoline. I jog around the perimeter of the trampoline in a circle and it keeps my heart rate at a steady 145bpm whilst being much less rough on my knees than going for a regular jog.
MEALS?
I’ve definitely got in a habit this week of eating something sweet per day, my “health” diet has gone out the window a little! But I’ve had lots of yummy home cooked meals like stir fry, pasta and vegan burgers and I have been drinking my red raspberry leaf tea religiously.
REFLECTIONS?
Leaning in to all things slow this week, trying to really lap up the evening cuddles with hubby while watching a doco together, hanging with the kids at the house, walking the land with the dogs and having soulful chats with friends. I always cherish these last weeks of pregnancy, there’s nothing sweeter than the anticipation of the new family member and getting one day closer to meeting them. Thinking so much about the birth, the first moments of when she latches, introducing her to the kids, that amazing new baby smell and just lapping up all the yumminess (and tiredness!) of the newborn stage. I’m feeling very ready.
