Nesting Journal Entry #3

How are we already on my third nesting entry?!

The Home Stretch….

Earlier this week I asked my midwife about some symptoms I was having: reduced grip strength and numbness in my hand. I was terrified this was something serious, but she assured me everything else was very normal, and I just had carpal tunnel brought on by pregnancy that would likely go away after the arrival of our baby. I thought this was the oddest thing in the world. In a random Instagram story I shared this symptom, and I figured out it was far from “odd.” Nearly everyone I knew that had been pregnant, had this. Four of my friends, my cousin in law, my mother in law, quite nearly everyone. And it struck me that these women never complained. I admit I wear my heart on my sleeve more than the average person, and I will be the first to admit that my carpal tunnel is just annoying and nothing compared to the debilitating morning sickness I had for the first 17 weeks. However, it’s still stunning that as close as I was with some of these women, they never uttered one complaint or even mentioned the symptom. Mothers are tough. End sentence. 

Now I do think sometimes these things need to be talked about. I wish that before I was pregnant, I had a better idea of what to expect. Instead, I had no idea that morning sickness could really be all day, everyday sickness, and sometimes it lasts past the first trimester. That wouldn’t have changed anything, but knowing what to expect may have helped me mentally prepare. Now I know, I guess. I think for a lot of women, though, pregnancy feels like a blur. The birth and subsequent newborn days are so momentous that so much else fades away. That’s why I was so grateful my husband bought me a pregnancy journal. I remember him saying, “I kept seeing baby books and journals, but I wanted something for you. now.” Yes, I do have a good one. The best one in my opinion. 

My husband has come with me to almost every appointment. We’re lucky that his off days include weekdays, but still. My midwife appointments are so often, and he would never even think about doing something else. He did a lactation class with me as well as an all day, 9am-4pm childbirth class. He knows how the pump, stroller, and swing work--- much better than I do. I truly don’t know what I would do without him. 

He is so present and so excited, and he was even there this week while I packed my hospital bag and stocked my bedside cart. I shared everything I’m bringing and that I stocked in this week’s YouTube video. Here is a short list, along with my Amazon affiliate links if you need anything listed! 

My Hospital Bag

Hospital bag for Baby

  • Newborn size outfits

  • 0-3 size outfits

  • Swaddle

  • Mittens

  • 1 pair of socks

  • Pacifier

  • Cap

Bedside Cart

Brady Collins2 Comments