Doctor's Visit & Pregnancy Symptoms

Dear Conor,

This post is more for your future wife than for you to let her know that certain things are normal during a pregnancy that arent always talked about.

One of those things is heartburn (which we have already talked about quite a bit - and by the way I am still suffering from) and another is constipation; severe constipation.  I truly hope that you don't inherit my bowels which have always been irregular but since entering my third trimester the irregularity has increased.  Yesterday I worked a very full day and when I got home I had the need to go to the restroom.  Well, try as I may I could not void and that inability created an intense pain in my lower abdomen.  The pain was incredibly strong and required me to contact my doctor's office.

So, what is the remedy for something like this?  The remedy is to take a stool softner once or twice a day which helps to keep you regular moving forward but you also need to have an enema.  This can either be done at home or you can go to the hospital.  As embarrassing as it is to talk about this - it is something that I wasn't prepared for and because constipation can be deadly (if not treated) I am documenting it to remember for myself and future friends/family who become pregnant.

I chose not to go to the hospital and your dad went to the pharmacy.  I won't say the rest of the night went easily but the relief that I needed did come and today at my doctor's appointment we were able to concentrate on how you were doing and not how I was feeling!

You are measuring on track (37.5 weeks) and I weigh in at 159.8 pounds.  This means I have gained a total of 32.8 pounds and in the last two weeks have gained 1.8 pounds.  As the goal has been 2 pounds a week you and I are doing really well.  The midwife Ellie said that you are still facing down with your back to my left side and your legs to my right with your butt in my ribs.  She remarked that you are "just the right size baby for my body" which is a good thing I would say.  We will not have an appointment next week due to the holiday so our next appointment is on December 2, 2011 at 10am. 

I can't believe that our appointment on December 2nd could be our final appointment because you could be here before that next Friday!

We are feeling very ready for your arrival - car seats are installed, clothes are washed, room is set up, bathroom supplies are organized, and all of your 'gear' is assembled and awaiting your debut! 

xoxo
Mom