Dear Pooh Bear,

Happy 29 weeks! I can’t believe this past weekend we got to see your little face. It truly was amazing to see you all squished inside there. We saw your little face, eyes, nose and mouth. Not to mention your little pee pee. Don’t worry, I will be sure to show you pictures of that someday! Maybe when you get a very serious girlfriend I’ll just happen to bring out those particular pictures! (just kidding! maybe…)

Your Grandma and your Nana came to meet you too! They were just so excited, and I’m glad they got to come to see you. You better believe that your whole family is getting ready for your arrival. You are the first grandchild on both sides, so that means that you have a lot to live up to. Don’t worry, I’m not worried. You will be the perfect son, grandson, and nephew (no pressure of course).

I am definitely starting to get my tired these days, and my body starts to ache much easier than before. Another symptom has been snoring. Don’t tell anyone little one, but your Mommy has started to snore pretty bad. So bad, that just the other night your daddy thought it would be funny to record me….he better be careful because my snoring may last 9 months, but his snoring has been going on for almost 10 years!

Pooh Bear 29 Weeks

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you’ll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby’s hardening skeleton each day.

Your baby’s very active now. Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby’s condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy. Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth.

If they’re itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your provider before using any over-the-counter remedies during pregnancy, and let your provider know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called “supine hypotensive syndrome” during pregnancy. This happens when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might notice that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid “the spins,” lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

I wish you had opened your eyes at our sonogram appointment like they show in this picture. It would’ve been so cool, but you did look so calm and content in there, so it’s all good. Oh good! Heartburn and Constipation may return? Well I haven’t really had constipation, but certainly heartburn and gas. I have so much to look forward to! Don’t worry, I will be sure to remind you of all this for the rest of your life. For now I will admit just this once that I know it’s all worth it, and that I would do anything and go through anything to meet you. But don’t think once you are old enough to understand that I will admit it again.

Love Mommy