Hi there….
As I mentioned yesterday, I had my 36 week appointment. All is wonderful but I did have a bit of a low moment when I stepped on the scale. Keep reading for more details…
Let’s revisit the “By the numbers”:
- Weeks into pregnancy: 36 weeks (36 weeks, 3 days today)
- Days to go: 25 days (as of today)
- Days into maternity leave: 4
- Pounds gained: 25 lbs (up 4.3 lbs from 3 weeks ago
) (average weight gain is between 25 and 30 pounds at this point) - Current waist size (measured at belly button): 38 inches (increase of 1” since 3 weeks ago)
- Fundal length: 34-35 cm (right on track)
- Baby weight: ~5.5lbs per my doctor’s estimate (average is 5.5-6lb)
- Baby position: Head down! And dropped (lightened, though it’s hard to tell with my short torso)
- Baby length: 20.7 inches head-to-toe (according to WebMD)
- Effacement: ~50%
- Kick Count Card: started at 28 weeks (Oct 3rd) – 10 baby movements are occurring in about 10 minutes (20 minutes tops)
- Stretch marks: 0 (or at least no new ones – I’ve always had them on my upper outer thighs, but none on belly so far)
- Number of false alarms: 1
- Push Presents received: 1 white gold cognac diamond ring
- Baby Showers: 3 (last one was from my coworkers last week)
I have to say that I’m still feeling really good. Sure my lower back is screaming at me by the end of the night but I’m still getting in about 5-6 mild workouts per week and haven’t started waddling
I have had an increase in swelling. Actually a big increase. My socks now leave marks on my ankles and my push present ring doesn’t fit the finger I intended it for. My wedding rings still fit, which is odd.
Acid reflux is a new enemy lately. I had no idea what that was until just recently and now I wake up at night and have to take Tums. Oye.
Let’s get back to that weight thing. I have officially gained 25 lbs and that’s really a scary number. I think it’s because it means I’m at my highest weight ever (or darn close). The baby inside me means far far more than any weight gain, but vainly I hoped I wouldn’t gain this much. My magic number for total weight gain is 27-29 lbs so that at least still is on track. The problem is that I know I’ve been overeating and it has not been for baby. I’ve been indulging in too many dips in the PB jar, slices of pie, extra helpings, etc. That’s where the guilt is coming from.
But here’s the thing, I don’t look that big. Nobody can believe I’m 9 months pregnant so I’m not quite sure where the weight is coming from.
Oh and another random tidbit, my doctor is out of town Dec 21-28 – and yes, my due date is Dec 26. Hmmmmm How’s that gonna work? We did talk about induction and she said that we could probably schedule one for Dec 31 lil’ Sawyer isn’t here yet, providing all is well with effacement / dilation / etc. Wahooo!!!! 
Last but not least – a photo from 2 days ago:
Would you rather look small but weigh more? Or see a lower number on the scale, but have people think you look bigger? (or think both choices are vain and lame to answer 
)
you’re a sexy and beautiful pregnant woman Shanna…I wouldn’t worry too much about what the scale says. Maybe it’s extra muscles or water retention in places where people don’t see it? I have no idea.
Just so you know…all my sisters had really bad stretch marks while they were pregnant and we share the same genes so I’ll probably have the same thing too
It’s ok , all for the baby. But my point is, on your belly picture, you have such wonderful skin.
Aww thank you so much for saying that Lea!
I have no idea where the weight is either…maybe it will disappear just as easily as it *appeared*!
I don’t know that I’m out of the stretch mark woods yet – some of my friends got them around their belly button in the last few weeks.
You look amazing! Your little one will be here before you know it.
I promise the weight melts off. I’m 8 days postpartum and just weighed in: down 20lbs and I’ve been eating a TON. You’ll be fine!
Oh that is so so hopeful! I can’t even imagine seeing my scale saying 20lbs less right now ;-P
As long as I feel good (and my hubby thinks I look good), the number doesn’t matter too much to me!
Getting so excited for you!
I have no idea what my hubby thinks!
The number on the scale is just a number. You look amazing, you said you still feel good, and you’re growing a healthy little baby – those are the things that matter.
So true Leah, so true
I say don’t worry about it at all girl! You look fab!! And def not 9 months preggo!
The answer to your question I would definitely rather weigh more but look slim. Who doesn’t want strong heavy bones! ;P
Strong heavy bones
I like that! Surely my increased intake of froyo is making those heavy bones!
I really love your honesty…seriously. Nobody could understand how hard it was for me to see the scale go up during my pregnancy. I’m not sure what I prefer though…I suppose a lower number because mentally it’s just easier to handle.
For what it’s worth I think you look fabulous!
I’m glad you understand Ameena..I don’t want people to think I’m complaining over 25 lbs or trying to solicit compliment. I’m honestly saying, that hitting 25 was a huge milestone that brought up some rather crappy emotions and that’s just fact.
stop worrying about the number, especially if you look super cute prego! friends of mine have said that breast feeding helped them lose 90% of the weight really fast, then its just about toning back up!
did you already get your push present? or is that just an initial “hang in there” present to get you through the pushing later?
I got my push present
I wouldn’t mind getting a second one after the baby is born though..hehe.
I’m in the “haven’t gained that much but look giant” category. Though I’ve now gained 10 lbs, I think my belly might be as big as yours already. We’ll have to compare when I come see you.
I definitely stress over the number. Mostly it’s because I haven’t been able to ever lose weight fast and I’m afraid of being the new mom who still looks pregnant for months and months. Tis ok… we shall hang in there together. 
Ahh but bestie you are oh so disciplined when you want to and I bet you’ll be back to Bikram and running in no time. I don’t have the motivation for intense workouts like you do.
I think for anyone who has ever been at a heavier weight and lost it, it’s always scary to see the number on the scale go back up. Perfectly understandable. But you know what, I bet that 25 pounds comes off fast! My sister in law gained 80 pounds!!! It could be worse
80! Wowsa!
Your arms and legs still look so darn lean. It makes your belly look super cute. I know you’ve probably heard enough from people telling you “don’t worry about it” – but really, you look great. No worries hot mama! Even if you go slightly over what you expected to gain, burning it off is going to be a cinch, especially if you breast feed.
Definitely going to breast feed, but I don’t want to have false sense of weight loss security through that..I’ve heard it can be pretty mixed :-/
I think you look absolutely stunning!
You’re pregnant, you’re going to gain weight, and really even if you gained 50 lbs its not like you won’t loose all of it after he is here anyhow, you take good care of yourself. Seriously, when else in your life has it been so fun, acceptable and exciting to gain a little weight and eat what you like AND have people EXCITED about your expanding waist line?! Just be pregnant and excited and keep eating healthy, taking care of yourself, etc, but put the numbers all away and just enjoy! He’ll come when he is ready and be the size he is supposed to be, and as much as you plan and try to prepare, you just have to let some of it go. Make sure you get some extra rest too, you’ll definitely want the extra energy. Enjoy! Congratulations again!!
You are absolutely right Alicia and that’s the mindset I’m trying to adopt a bit more. It’s not like it won’t ever come off. I can commit myself to being healthy and losing steady weight once the baby is here. And now I might as well enjoy the last few weeks!
Hey Shanna, you know me IRL so you know I was a big girl before I got pregnant. At my first OB appointment I was told she didn’t want me gaining ANY weight, and I thought “well, my doctor is insane.” I did know it was important not to go crazy either since I was at an already increased risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia and dangerous swelling (in part due Tony thyroid disease). So I worked really hard and “gained” only 12 pounds in my pregnancy. I use quotes because a week after I had my baby I had lost 27 pounds and while she was 9 lbs 10 oz, I know that means I actually lost weight while pregnant. Now, nearly 3 months later I weigh nearly 50 pounds less than I did at my first prenatal appointment last January. Wahoo! My point is, I was (and am) at an unhealthy weight and had to work to be healthy while pregnant. You are healthy and active and half to “work” to put on weight. I think and feel that you deserve every one of those healthy pound gains and you need not torture yourself about them. As much as you will love your days with Sawyer you WILL miss being pregnant too and you won’t want to have waisted ANY precious pregnant moments worried about the scale. If I am lucky enough to be pregnant again someday I am doing it at a healthy weight so I can indulge in the PB jar in a healthy way just like you do. <3
Ok – I hate auto correct : to my thyroid disease and wasted…not waisted.
I’m shocked they would say to gain no weight! How the heck does that work???? But it sounds like you gained the perfect amount for little Adele and I’m beyond impressed at your weight loss since she arrived! Wow! Many congrats to you.
I can definitely see myself missing my pregnancy, so I’m going to relish every kick, roll, hiccup
You have been cleaning up with the baby showers! Nicely done!
And you’re doing great with the weight. Seriously. Don’t sweat it!
Shan you look absolutely amazing – you’re the most adorable pregnant lady I’ve ever seen and I know for a fact since I’ve seen you IRL!! And might I add – in the pic you’re belly is too cute and the rest of you is still tiny – you’re all belly! On a serious note, I totally understand where you’re coming from and I know I would feel the same as you in seeing a number on the scale that I’ve never seen before. In fact, in order for me to start getting a period (based on other women’s experiences that I’ve come in contact with) I think I need to gain more weight and get to a number I’ve never seen before and that will be so hard, though at the same time I want a baby so badly…but that’s to discuss for another time and we can talk about this together in a couple weeks!
And I’m thinking that since you’re towards the end, a lot of the quick baby weight is the actually baby growing, not you. I know you know that what’s important is that you’re growing a healthy baby, but I can see how at the same time the weight gain is hard! Just know that you look “faboosh!” and the weight gain will come right off. You know how to be healthy and exercise and I’d be more than happy to accompany you on some hikes and take a fitness class with me – Equinox has an excellent daycare center
That number is oh so fickle, isn’t it? I don’t know why or how it can mean so much. But when you’re underweight, your body strives for it, same for pregnancy. And yet, mentally it’s still tough to come to peace with. I am actually doing far better than I ever thought I would regarding gaining weight. Yes I was bummed, but my dwelling pity party is much shorter than the norm
Yay for small victories!
I can’t believe it’s less than a month away… that is CRAZY. Just sayin’. Feels like a month or two ago, Jess and I were visiting you in SF. Very excited for you
No kidding! And were were gettin’ tipsy on wine..fun times =)
Jess and I have actually managed to be good and have avoided drinking almost all of the wine we bought that trip… saving it for special occasions. We might have to pop one of the bottles open and celebrate when Sawyer arrives
YAY For almost-baby-time!!!
I can’t wait to see sawyer 
I hope the acid reflux goes away! no fun!
Wow, its coming up fast, doll!! You get to meet little man so soon!!!
Ok, I tell ya, when I get prego, I pray that I don’t gain weight….ugh, why do women have to gain more than the baby?? My mom when having my sis only gained 20lbs and the dr was pissed at her! She was rocking step classes 5 days a week!
xxoo
I’ve seen a lot of people bounce back relatively quickly, you’ll be just fine! And BOO on the acid reflux, I had a whole ordeal with that and it was horrendous.
I think you are beautiful! You have nothing to worry about. Easier said than done, I know. But seriously, just think of the weight gain as helping your baby grow. That is all that it is. It’s feeding him and giving him what he needs. You are a beautiful woman and healthy with a healthy baby growing inside of you. That is all that matters
I echo others, appreciating your honesty. I am positive that I’m going to be the same way–excited about being pregnant and the life inside of me yet freaking out over the weight gain! It’s a mindset that is engrained in us (or most of us, anyway) that is hard to shake, even when it’s over something so wonderful as this. You strike me as an incredibly motivated person PLUS you were/are in great shape–you will be back to your preferred weight in no time, I’m sure of it.
And as for the question, people always think I weight like 10 pounds less than I do. I don’t see how at ALL so it’s weird but I will take it I guess? ?
You are truly not vain! I would much rather your situation – higher number and look amazing (which people are right..you do!). I just cannot imagine what it would be like to be pregnant. I actually give props to you because I can tell you flat out now that I am totally going to be worrying about that stuff when I’m preggers. I barely let my hubby touch my stomach now, cause I’m like “ew” haha so hows that going to work when him plus a million other people will want to be touching it?!?
I’m sure it all counteracts, especially if you’re working out 5 – 6 days a week…pretty spectacular missy!
I rather look small and weight more! I’d like to think of it as muscle weighs more than fat! : )
You really need to cut yourself some slack! You are doing so great at 36 weeks pregnant! I am keeping my fingers crossed I can be only 25 pounds heavier when I reach week 36!
I know where you are coming from though, I just recently reached a number on the scale I didn’t think I would ever see in my life (not including pregnancy)! I’m hoping to gain only 5 more pounds during pregnancy, but with 9 weeks left know that wont happen. My doctor told me I could stand to gain more weight, but I’m on track with what the mayo clinic recommends so I’m happy with where I’m at!
You are almost there, girl! I only hope I’ll look as good as you when I’m pregnant (someday)! And I’d rather look small and weigh more. Actually, no one ever believes me when I tell them how much I weigh, they always think it’s less. I’m solid, haha.
I just thought that you would like to know that this person named Danielle Harris on fb had stolen your bump picture and claimed it was there own. i uploaded the picture into google and it brought me to this page. when myself and others started to confront this person they took the album down. i honestly think this person is some guy w a prego fetish. i just wanted you to be aware of the situation. here it the link to this profile. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1093464675