The third trimester is when I really started to feel pregnant, and the excitement grew every single day. Toward the end of the second trimester and into the beginning of the third (around 26–28 weeks), I began to experience swelling in my ankles and feet. It was annoying, but I made a point to go home after work and prop my feet up on pillows whenever possible.
Even with the swelling, I was still feeling great. I was sleeping well, had good energy, and somehow still didn’t really look pregnant. With my daughter, by seven months, there was absolutely no hiding it, even if I wanted to. This time around, unless I was wearing a tight shirt, you honestly wouldn’t have known I was pregnant. I made sure to take belly pictures every couple of weeks to send to the parents so they could feel included and connected throughout the pregnancy. Even then, the bump was subtle again, unless the shirt was tight. Lol! At 36 weeks and 4 days, I went in for what was supposed to be my 37-week appointment. My blood pressure was higher than they were comfortable with, so they sent me straight to Labor & Delivery to be monitored. I didn’t develop preeclampsia with my daughter until after she was born, so I didn’t fully know what to expect next. While I was excited to deliver, I was also a little nervous when they told me they wanted me to deliver in just two days, nothing was ready at home and I don’t mean for the baby, for myself! I was planning on breast pumping for as long as I could up until a year for the baby and sending it to the IP’S I had no pump, no rolling cart, no bottles. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia without severe features. Two days later, at 37 weeks, I delivered a beautiful baby girl and we were both doing great. I was so incredibly happy for the parents. They were in the room and got to witness the entire birth, and the looks on their faces are something I will never forget. Seeing their joy instantly filled me with so much happiness. I pushed her out in 2 minutes and 42 seconds. My first delivery took 36 minutes, so I knew this one would be faster, but not that fast! I was given Pitocin at 8:30 in the morning, and by 4:00 PM, I was pushing. It was truly an amazing experience and the perfect ending to such a meaningful journey.
My boyfriend was my support person throughout it all, and I honestly could not have done it without him. He was my biggest hype man the entire journey and especially in that delivery room. This third trimester brought swelling, surprises, and a delivery I’ll never forget. It was such a beautiful journey from start to finish, and I wouldn’t change a single moment of it.
