My Pregnancy Journey: Third Trimester

12 min readJul 10, 2022

If you haven’t read my first trimester journey entry [+ how I found out I was pregnant], read that here. Second trimester journey is here.

Third Trimester

So much happened during third trimester — looking back at my journal, I’m like woah, that was a lot A LOT. There were so many important moments [I shared below!]. For me, the third trimester was so, so sacred. The theme for my third trimester = nesting, going inward, trusting, + savoring every second. Especially towards the end, I kept writing in my journal: SAVOR. SAVOR. SAVOR!

As a first time mama, it’s the wildest feeling knowing that “life as you know it” is ending, + that soon enough — you’ll be meeting your baby + becoming a parent! I truly could not wrap my mind around it. I tried my best to slow down, honor the closing of Isaac + I as “just the two of us,” + prepare for birth + motherhood as best I could.

1/16/22 [27 Weeks]: “My intention going into this next chapter is rest, nourish, + flourish. To give myself enough open space to take everything in to fully enjoy the ending of this “solo life,” + to honor everything that has brought me here… to become a mother. I am ready.”

Important Moments In The Third Trimester

#1] Saying Goodbye To Chicago

It was really hard to leave Chicago for me. Even though I knew in my bones that I was meant to have a home birth in California, fear took over me multiple times the weeks leading up to our move — “Are we making the right choice in moving to California? Why would I leave my amazing friends, my parents, my team… aka my entire support system… during the BIGGEST TRANSITION OF MY LIFE.”

I kept reminding myself that intuitively I knew we were supposed to move [we found our LA midwife that I was so excited about], that change is good, + that this will be a huge growth/upleveling period in many ways… but it was still very hard. We spent Week 27–31 in Chicago saying goodbye to everyone + everything.

#2] Moving To California

Week 31 — It took us two months of actively apartment hunting online every single day [+ two trips to California to look at homes in person] before we finally found an apartment we loved. We packed up all of things + towed a uhaul from Chicago to Santa Monica. On the drive to California, I was still very hesitant + nervous that we made the wrong decision.

However, as soon as we arrived— after jumping in the ocean, going on a hike, + waking up to birds chirping… I knew I was home. “It feels really really right. We moved at the perfect time — not too soon, not too late.” *Disclaimer: I don’t recommend moving that late into pregnancy lol. We were SO focused on apartment hunting that we pushed back all of the “baby + labor prep.” Also, I forgot about that fact that we had to furnish a home… all in two months [or less!]. The clock was ticking!

#3] Childbirth Education Course + Building Our Birth Team

With two months to go until our “due date” — it was time to start preparing for birth!

Week 32 — First midwife appointment with Abby. We had appointments every 2 weeks until Week 36. After Week 36, we had appointments every week!
Week 32 — Started all the bodywork sessions: massage, chiropractor, + accupuncture. I alternated what I did weekly, until Week 37 when I did *all the things.* Did I go overboard? Probably. But I would way rather “overdo” self-care than the opposite.
Week 32 — Started our Hynobirthing Class with Nina. It was a 5 week “complete childbirth education” course. We learned a lot of different techniques + tools to use for labor. Even though I didn’t use any of the traditional methods during labor, I enjoyed the course… it gave Isaac + I space to connect + prepare for birth.
Week 33 — Confirmed our postpartum care, Aleiela
Week 34 — Confirmed our doula, Amy. We did private prenatal yoga with her every week starting at Week 34, which was so so nice. Highly recommend prenatal yoga!
Week 36 — Confirmed our backup OBGYN, Dr. Afflack
Week 37 — Confirmed our photographer, Zo’e. I definitely don’t recommend waiting this late to confirm a photographer, but we were so lucky that it worked out!

#4] IUGR + Early Induction Scare

Ugh. This was definitely a very rough patch of the third trimester. It started at Week 28. I went in for a midwife appointment in Chicago + I was “measuring small” so a growth ultrasound was needed. We did the growth ultrasound, + everything was fine… but it was still stress inducing... + it was a precursor to the many *extra ultrasounds* I would end up needing.

Fast forward a few weeks [Week 33], we had moved to California + our midwife thought that the baby was breached, so she scheduled an ultrasound for us. [*Side note: A downside of the midwifery practices we worked with is that they did not have an ultrasound machine, so we had to go to a separate ultrasound tech.] Thankfully, he wasn’t breached… BUT, his tummy measured small at 6%, + he was then classified as an IUGR baby.

In that specific practice, it was standard protocol for IUGR babies to go in for monitoring 2x/week to track the baby’s heart rate + amniotic fluid on the ultrasound, as well as have a growth ultrasounds every 10–14 days. Keep in mind we had just moved to California, already had 4+ birth appointments per week [midwife, doula, childbirth education course, bodywork], were rushing to furnish our house, + still had not even set up a registry… plus, we were both working full time. Adding in 2 more stress-inducing appointments per week was very taxing on me [not to mention, the doctor we worked with had terrible bedside manners]. In my heart I knew everything was fine, but I didn’t want to put our baby at risk in any way… so I listened to the doctor + went in 2x/week for monitoring.

When we went in for our growth ultrasound at Week 36, his tummy decreased to 3.7%. Everything else was completely normal. Immediately, the doctor started talking to me about getting a c-section, + that she would be “surprised” if I went to 40 weeks based on his growth [aka that I would need an early induction]. I left the appointment in tears. + then had a few more breakdowns the next few days, trying to wrap my head around the fact that we might only have a week or so left before our baby arrives if we have an early induction.

After talking it over with my midwife, we decided to get an opinion by a new doctor. I still had such a strong gut feeling that our baby was okay. At 37 Weeks, the new doctor measured 9% for stomach (+ 90% for head…). His opinion was that the baby was okay [especially because everything else measured very normal], + that I didn’t need to continue monitoring.

It’s wild because when Noah was birthed — everything was very average: his weight, his tummy, his head, etc. He was not classified as an IUGR baby in the slightest. After sharing my story with others, I heard a lot from people about how they too had inaccurate ultrasounds + how it caused them a lot of stress. Speak up, get a second opinion, + trust your maternal instinct.

#4] Pregnancy Tumor

Week 32 — I got a pregnancy tumor in my mouth removed… which was the most random pregnancy symptom that I had [I don’t think they are very common, but my cousin also had one!]. A few weeks prior I burned the roof of my mouth, right between my two front teeth. It “blistered” like a normal burn — but because it was exactly where I eat + talk, it would break open every 2–3 days + my mouth would bleed.

Eventually, the wound closed up + a small bump appeared in its spot… + kept growing. It didn’t hurt at all, but because of the positioning + size, I developed a lisp. I talked to my cousin who had one + she said I would probably have a hard time trying to find a dentist to remove it because of liability while pregnant. THANKFULLY, my midwife found a holistic dentist who removed it. The novocaine shot hurt SO much. Thankfully the tumor didn’t grow back [which sometimes happens!].

#5] Creating A Registry

Week 34 — Why does no one talk about how stressful creating a registry is?! Or is it just me? Oh my gosh. I was so stressed. I literally spent HOURS on mom blogs, researching different baby brands, + texting my mom friends, “Do we actually need this?” We were planning on having a baby shower on April 3 [that would have been Week 38 — aka what were we thinking lol?]. Our early induction scare made that plan not possible, so instead we decided to have a Virtual Welcoming after our baby was born, which was absolutely the right move for us.

*If you’re feeling stressed about creating your registry, read this post: Navigating Your Baby Registry + All The Baby Links

#6] Furnishing Our Home

Week 33–37 — Furnishing our home! We went from a 1 bedroom apartment to a 3 bedroom apartment… so we had A LOT of new furniture to buy [+ everything for the nursery]. I spent so much time scrolling on instagram home decor accounts for inspo, taking multiple trips to World Market + Home Goods, messaging so many people on Facebook Marketplace, + creating google docs with all of our home decor options. It was a lot of work, but I’m so happy with how it turned out. You can see a tour of our home here!

#6] Babymoon + Terrible Food Poisoning

Week 36 — We decided to take a last minute weekend trip to Joshua Tree for our babymoon. [*Check out my Wellness Guide To Joshua Tree] We almost skipped this because we were so overwhelmed with everything, but it was really important for us to celebrate each other + honor this closing of “just the two of us.” We had a beautiful time until I GOT TERRIBLE FOOD POISONING. I literally puked 5+ times every 2 hours for 12 hours straight. It was insane. We called our midwife at 4 AM to make sure I didn’t need to go to the hospital… since vomitting can cause contractions. It was the most I’ve ever thrown up in my life. It was a wakeup call that we are approaching the labor window + that it was time to slow slow slow down. No more traveling, no more 8 mile hikes in the desert [yes, we did that during our babymoon + I’m not proud of that at all!], no more plans other than preparing for birth!

#7] Prepping For Labor

The last few days, weeks, + moments before labor are so wild. It’s such a sacred time + truly feels like you’re floating between realms — between the known + the unknown. I wrote about it here! I knew motherhood would be the biggest transition of my life + I wanted to do everything possible to prepare my mind + heart + body.

Week 36: Started eating dates! Drinking raspberry tea. Tried the epi-no a few times.
Week 36: Isaac + I started a morning practice of gratitude. At this point, we still felt very overwhelmed with everything going on [+ things to buy] + it was during my potential early induction period, so this morning practice allowed us to create space for each other. Every day, we set intentions + asked ourselves, what if this is the last day before our baby comes? It instantly helped us become present to the here + now + be as intentional as we can with the days (weeks) we had left before the next chapter in our story began.
Week 37: “Things are shifting. I’m starting to feel really really good with where we are at with everything.”
Week 38: My maternity leave started. My #1 intention for maternity leave = savor every second. Started rapid fire reading all the books lol: Happiest Baby On The Block, Zen Mama, Ina May Guid To Childbirth, First Forty Days.
Week 39: Prepped postpartum meals, set up the birth room, made a labor playlist, set birth intentions, recorded a pregnancy podcast with Isaac + journaled SO SO SO SO SO much.
*Also something else that I wanted to mention is that I was very particular on what “birth content” I read or watched. I was never fearful of birth + I wanted to keep it that way. I watched one birth video [+ I’m glad I did!]… it was very eye opening + made me realize how much of a journey labor would be. But I was ready for it! I knew that giving birth would forever change me + I wanted to be so present for it all.

Third Trimester: Physical + Emotional Changes + More Moments

Week 28 — I got bloodwork done, + my ferritin was really low (8). It needed to be at a 12 to prevent hemorrhoids, so I started taking this iron supplement. When I went in for bloodwork Week 32, my ferritin was higher!
Cravings: Eating more meat than ever before. Still loving hot sauce! Also loved coconut smoothies + raspberries
Even though there were definitely stressful moments during the third trimester, overall my mood was very inspired + empowered, + my energy was still VERY HIGH
Workouts: I stopped running 1.5 months out [I started getting lightning crotch a bit, so that was my cue to stop]. I did prenatal pilates, prenatal yoga, bodyweight/light dumbbell workouts, + went hiking! I was very active all the way up until birth
I had a bit of indigestion if I did yoga after eating, particularly when I put my head lower than my heart [like a standing forward fold]
My pregnancy melasma got worse
Week 33 — Took a baby CPR class
Week 35 — Had a spontaneous pregnancy shoot with my friend Kaitlyn + decided to announce that I was pregnant on instagram! See the post here
Had to pee ALL. THE. TIME. Noah was so, so, so low. When we had an appointment at Week 38, our OBGYN said: Isaac, you should be prepared to catch the baby” — meaning she thought he would fly out, based on his positioning
I never really felt any Braxton Hicks contractions, they think it was because my placenta was “forward facing”. I still felt kicks though!
Isaac + I created an “end of pregnancy” bucket list
My belly FINALLY popped… + I must say: EVERYONE IS SO NICE TO A PREGNANT WOMAN. I got so many smiles + congrats those last few weeks of pregnancy
Week 39, I had a “omg he might come today” moment. I wrote about it here
Emotionally = ALL. THE. FEELS. Particularly towards the end.

A lot of people have asked me: “How much prep did you do for ~newborn life~ in the third trimester?” Honestly, not much. I read Happiest Baby On The Block, fully prepped the nursery + bought all the things, hired a lactation consultant that would come within a few days after giving birth, + hired a postpartum doula. I knew that the first few weeks [+ months] would mostly be about breastfeeding, bonding with baby [all the snuggles], lots of naps, + focusing on postpartum recovery.

There are so many newborn programs out there [Taking Cara Babies, Tinyhood, Bringing Home Baby, etc], + I knew that they would be there for me when/if I wanted... I didn’t want to overwhelm my mind with information prior to birth. Instead, I really wanted to focus on preparing my mind + body + soul for the birth experience… the day my life would forever change. I was about to become a mom! I was about to have a son! I also spent a lot of time in the third trimester simply honoring this beautiful season of pregnancy + trying my best to be as present as possible every day. I’m so grateful for my journey.

April 17: Our Due Date

April 17 was not only our “due date,” but also: Easter, 9 months of marriage, + the day my water broke! I share everything about that day in this post, but I wanted to share a journal entry I wrote that morning. It beautifully sums up what I was desiring for labor + meeting Noah:

“I pray that I am present. I pray that labor is exactly what I need to be initiated into motherhood — a transformation. May I remember that every pain has purpose + to let go of what is no longer serving me. What are qualities that I want to call in for motherhood? Nurturing. Open. Loving. Soft. Intuitive. Present. Supportive. Reliable. Lots of cuddles. Playful. Warmth. Calm. A lesson everyone talks about is remembering “everything is temporary.” May I take that to heart + allow myself to fully feel the beingness of this chapter. It’s here. I have everything I need.”

That night… my water broke. + SO IT BEGAN: THE BIRTH PORTAL HAS OPENED UP!

IT WAS TIME TO MEET OUR BABY, NOAH SOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elisabeth