Dear Pooh Bear,

Hey little man! Can you believe we are now at 30 weeks!? I know we still have a little ways to go, but to me the 30’s mark the weeks that anything could happen. They represent the final stretch! If you stay in my belly till our due date, then we have 10 weeks to go. That just seems so close! About 66 days to be exact. I have so many emotions going on inside me, but most of all excitement. That, my dear little boy, has been the primary emotion this entire pregnancy.

It’s amazing to look back over the last 30 weeks and think about how much you have developed and grown! No matter how much time passes I am still amazed every day that there is a living being inside my belly. You truly are a miracle. I say this every week, but you are an extremely active little guy! But the bigger you get, the more you seem to be punching your mommy from the inside out. Yesterday we had some words because you were moving so much I was worried you were turning yourself around! You see, last week you were in the correct position with your head down. If you turned yourself around you may just get stuck there, then your mommy may have to have surgery to get you out. So our words last night were out of love little one. Stay put!

This past weekend you got to attend your Aunt Kelly, and Uncle John Paul’s wedding! We had an amazing time and they both looked amazing. You certainly did like the music at the reception! Dessert gave you a bit of the hiccups but that’s ok. As a matter of fact you are hiccuping a lot these days. It’s kind of fun to feel the constant bumps. When you get the hiccups I use that as an opportunity to have others feel you. That’s because I know they will come one after another and they can’t miss it.

My belly is definitely getting bigger as you grow in there. Tighter too which makes me think that it needs to stretch a lot more to accommodate you. The doctor says your are measuring perfectly, so I guess all is well. Your doctor thinks I’m crazy sometimes with all my questions. But what does he expect? This is very new for both me and you…so I think a few questions are appropriate.

I’m sure I will talk about this alot more through the coming weeks, but I must admit I am terrified to actually give birth. As much as I want to meet you…the unknown process of labor scares me half to death. So please dear Pooh Bear…be kind to your mommy.

Pooh Bear: 30 weeks

Your baby’s about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it’s not very keen; even after she’s born, she’ll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she’ll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you’re having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It’s normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you’ll be a good parent. But if you can’t shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you’re frequently nervous or anxious.

Look at how big you are getting little one! 15.7 inches! I certainly think you are starting to get cramped in there. I certainly am more tired, and I do have trouble sleeping. But I keep reminding myself that it’s all part of the deal, and it’s to prepare me for what’s to come. I have a feeling you will keep your mommy up many nights.