My First Pregnancy: Week 32

I went to see my OBGYN this week and she confirmed that I’ve developed femoral hernia. She wants me to see general surgeon so he can give his diagnosis too. I am not really happy about the fact that I have hernia, which developed with baby being heavy and pushing my intestines out of its place. My OBGYN got concerned because I had hernia as a newborn, as I was crying a lot. My parents can’t remember if I had it on the same place or not, but apparently that puts me in the higher risk.  OBGYN doesn’t think that hernia will go away on its own once baby is born, but rather that surgical procedure will be necessary. However, I’ve read on the Internet and also talked to the nurse at Labour and Delivery Unit who told me she had hernia with both her pregnancies and hernia would go away on its own once baby were delivered. So, I’m still being an optimistic and I’m hoping I won’t need surgery for hernia.  Although my OBGYN thinks I will need surgery, most likely it will not be done until the baby is born anyway.

 In order to make my hernia pain a little bit more comfortable, I’ve been wearing running shoes ever since I felt the pain in my left groin area. I don’t walk or stand for longer than half an hour, however, I sit all day long due to my work. While at work, I get up frequently and go to the washroom (once every hour), then I stand for a few minutes, and then I go and sit again. Sometimes, if I forget to go to the washroom and sit a little bit longer, while getting up from my chair, I feel strong pain in my left groin, which eases off once I start walking a little bit longer.  I sleep on my both left and right side with pillow between my legs. I get up regularly 3-4 times a night to go to the washroom, which disturbs my sleep a lot, and then I feel very tired the following day.

 Well, besides my hernia problem, this week I went for my Hospital Registration Tour at the hospital where I chose I would deliver my baby. Nurse that met with my husband and me was very friendly, gave me some pamphlets on breastfeeding and what to expect once I go into labour and come into hospital. She asked me tons of questions, such as if I had any allergies to food and drugs etc. My visit lasted for 45 minutes. I was impressed how much care the take when it comes to safety of baby and mother.  They told me I should never have my baby alone while in the hospital, or to be taken by nurse or doctor or anybody else unless support person is present too.

 Since my due date is approaching fast, I feel a little bit scared. I started thinking about actual process of giving birth and how painful that can be. I read about procedure called episiotomy where doctors do incision between vagina and rectum so baby could come out easier (this is preformed only if absolutely necessary though). However, I thought about lots of stuff I still don’t know about giving a birth, and I am starting to get scared. I am so much looking forward to see my baby, but I am so much afraid of pain. I will be taking an epidural, but then, I am afraid of it too as it can have rare side effects, one of them being paralysis.

 I am not sure how the rest of the first time mothers are going through this whole process of pregnancy, but sometimes I think that less I know, better for me, as now, being so well-read about pregnancy, I am actually afraid of it.

 Baby is kicking regularly, but also has its quiet time. I still eat healthy. I gained 40 lb so far, have no idea how, since I’ve been eating so healthy, although occasional indulgence in Lays potato chips or ice cream certainly don’t help my weight problem. I spoke to my OBGYN about it, it is normal to gain up to 30 lb, and I gain a little bit more, but can’t start dieting now. Baby needs more nutritious food than ever. The only comfort I have is that breastfeeding can burn 500 kcal every time you breastfeed. Also, I read that women who breastfeed their baby lose weight much faster. My girlfriend exclusively breastfed her baby until baby was 8 months old (along with introduction of vegetables in baby’s diet), but after 8 month she started introducing bottle feeding (she would pump her breasts) and bottle feed her baby. In less than a year she went back to her 57 kg weight (right before delivery she had 85 kg, so she gained almost 30 kg or 60 lb). She looks great now, so I am confident that I will lose my weight too.

 Anyway, 32nd week had no other events, and 31st week was similar to it as well. Countdown begins and I have less than 8 weeks to go.  So, shopping should make next few weeks exciting.  I am hoping that I won’t do anything that will cause pre-term labour, as I want my baby to come to full term and develops completely with no issues. I know every mother wants that, so I’m thinking if I don’t do anything hard and don’t tire myself with housework and job, I’ll probably do well.

 My baby’s kicks are feeling less strong and more like a wave coming through my stomach.  Interesting feeling.  I bonded so much with my baby and I can’t wait to see her.  I can’t believe I am becoming a mother.  I think of it as my biggest accomplishment ever, ’cause I can’t think of anything more significant in my life than giving a birth to my little baby.