Braxton Hicks

I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions here and there, nothing regularly and nothing painful. I could just feel my uterus tighten. I read that pregnant women actually always have these contractions all throughout pregnancy but that they just aren't felt until around 5 months or so. Apparently the uterus is preparing the entire pregnancy for brith by contracting. Again, it's not painful (yet) and just a tightened feeling for a few seconds and it goes away. Well lately I get that, but it's a little bit more uncomfortable now. Still not painful and still no regularity or pattern to it but it is more uncomfortable than it has been. So that sucks. I'm taking that as a sign that things are nearing. eeek!


Ok, so I've learned that I have more readers than I realized. Yay!!! I think it's awesome b/c sometimes I think I'm really only writing to like 2 or 3 people. Anyway, I've learned that some of the people that read this are first time pregnant women too! Ok, for you ladies I will share something with you that you may or may not realize happens. for any guys, so sorry but this will get kind of gross. And then some of you already have experienced this so this is nothing new and SOME may experience this in the future.


OK. So first I've heard about it was maybe about 4 months or so ago and I was pretty shocked. I mean it made sense, but I didn't realize that would happen. And what made me JUST now mention it and not then? Well a few things. I think for anyone that has followed my blog might notice that I have gotten a little bit more graphic and/or open about the whole experience. Why not, right? Also, earlier in my blog I tried to be conserative. I think I threw that out the window pretty much. AND, as I am almost finished reading Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy by Vickie Iovine (which, if you are pregnant I recommend reading), I figured if she could share her experiences through a published book then I can do the same in my little blog here. OK, so what is it already you ask? Well I didn't realize that AFTER you give birth just how nasty it is for you down there. I don't mean because all this stuff just came out of you along with the baby. So I mean for weeks on end. Like the book said, it's like having the neverending period. Obviously it's heavier in the beginning. Oh but it's not your period. It's just bleeding. I've heard and read that it can last as little as 3 or 4 weeks (I know... that's little!?) to as long as 3 months. YIKES! How sucky is that? Then you have (if you have the baby vaginally and undergo an epsiotomy) the stiches down there and the fear of having to go number two. All the bruising... ugh. I mean when I heard and read about it, it's like... well that does make a lot of sense. But to really get the 411 on it is NOT pretty. So I am REALLY not looking forward to that. Apparently in the beginning it's so bad that you can actually trickle... do you know what I mean!? Ewww! OK... but maybe it sounds worse than it is. I don't know. I'm not there yet. but I'll get back to you all on that.


MOVING ON. The crotch pain isn't so bad today... yet! I really don't like being swollen, though. It's just not pretty. haha! Yesterday I made the comment to my brother that my feet looked like water balloons and I GUESS he felt that was an invitation to add to that and said that I have cankles. Which is true... but really no pregnant woman wants to hear that from anyone even if she knows it's true.


My shirts are starting to have that open effect at the bottom. Like my belly is still fully covered, but it hangs over enough that it could provide a small shelter for soemthing. haha! Oh man... which reminds me I have to find something to wear for the wedding! OK... I think I will jsut find some sort of top and bite the bullet and invest in some new pants that will allow me to wear flats.