Twins-in-Progress: Week 31

31 Weeks: May 25-31

How far along? 7 months, 3 weeks

Babies size: Pineapples! (cue the craving!) 

What’s new with babies? According to some books, babies are now able to form memories. I certainly can’t recall any memories in utero; regardless I hope to make these first few potential memories quite delightful by vocalizing lots of songs, stories, and scripture.

What’s new with Mama? Rings are off 🙁 Starting to feel the swelling, but it’s not bad yet. I am definitely feeling “uncomfortable” at this week in pregnancy. The planet is growing, my belly is stretching, babies are moving, skin is itching. I’ll take the good with the uncomfortable though.

Weight Gain: Not sure this week. Haven’t had time to track down a scale!

Sleep: I got in a few naps this week!

Exercise: I am enjoying walks outside, in addition to sorting/purging/moving work (don’t worry, I’m taking it easy).

Best moment this week: Shane and I were singing on our back porch, enjoying the view of the river for the last few days before we move. Every time I hit a high note on “How Great Thou Art” the babies would kick and roll around. I’m not sure they liked the song, or if they were telling me to pipe down. But it was fun.

What do you miss/NOT miss? I miss camping.

Babies’ Movement: Sunday night, I could have sold tickets for the cirque de sole show happening inside my belly. Shane and I enjoyed the kicks and rolls (till I got nauseous).

Food cravings: Pineapple, frappuccinos

Genders:  a Boy and a Girl.

Kids room prep: Started moving some stuff over… just need to organize it and set up some cribs!

Labor Signs/prep: My belly seems to have sunk a little. I’m not so sure it’s “dropped” per say, but I can breathe a little easier now (and have to use the restroom a lot more often). I can feel both babies’ little bums on either side of my belly button. Hopefully they stay head-down and turned toward my back.

Symptoms: Holy hives batman! Ok I don’t think they are hives, but these marks have appeared, like chiggers or bug bites, all over my ankles, wrists, knees and elbows and belly. It started on Monday with raised bumps on my already inflamed stretch marks, then spread from there. Could be Puppps? Could be a combination of previous eczema/bug bites, etc.? Hopefully I’ll get some clarity at my next OB appointment.

Mood: Stable this week. Praising the Lord.

Lullaby of the week: All that I can Say by David Crowder Band

Truth I’m dwelling on: 

Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Looking forward to: Visiting with family, a church BBQ/Baby shower, and organizing the new house a little at a time.

Questions for the Mamas: If you’ve had a baby, chances are you experienced diastasis recti, or the separation of your tummy muscles. This leads to the all-too-frustrating “When is your baby due” a year after you’ve already had her. C-sections actually create this problem by cutting the abdominals. My doctor assured me I would definitely have the separation since the twins have already stretched my stomach so much (regardless of a c-section or not). My goal is to have a healthy body, not “get my body back” per-say. The issues that accompany diastasis recti include back pain, pelvis instability, deteriorating strength of the abdominals, and the tummy “pooch.”

So my question for the mamas (and any kinesiologist/physical therapists who keep up with this blog) is this:

What body wraps, exercises, or posture habits worked for you to have healthy connection in your abdominals after giving birth? (Or what things did you avoid?)

Feel free to answer via commenting below!