We’re Pregnant!

The cat is out of the bag! We are thrilled to be welcoming baby number three. This was so hard to keep a secret as I found out when I was only 4 and a half weeks! This is the last one for us so we are really treasuring this pregnancy and this time together before things really get crazy for us as a family of 5.

Do we want a boy or a girl?

We don’t want to find out! We have one of each and we will be happy with either one. I go back and forth depending on the day. Sometimes I really think it is a boy and sometimes I am convinced that Savannah and I will have an extra person to twin with. We have enough clothes for either sex so whatever we have we will be thankful. The hardest part is not looking when I ultrasound myself! I always have easy access to an ultrasound and though I want to check on baby I don’t inadvertently want to see. We have made it halfway through the pregnancy without knowing so hopefully it stays that way!

How are things different being pregnant over 35?

I hate this connotation of a “geriatric pregnancy” because women are waiting later and later to have babies and that’s totally fine! Now although you shouldn’t wait too late I do believe you should wait until you are ready. People want to finish school, move up in their career and save enough before having children. I didn’t have my first child until I was 30 so I didn’t start having children at a young age to begin with. I also had both of my children during residency so I was exhausted at baseline with long surgeries and long call days. The thought of those residency days makes me tired all over again. This time, I have taken a TON of time to rest. I refuse to overwork myself and I am listening to my body and stopping when I need to. After first trimester scares with a subchorionic hemorrhage, heavy bleeding, threatened miscarriage and COVID I took it easy and wasn’t working out as much. Every time I worked out I would bleed and COVID took every bit of energy I had left along with first trimester fatigue. After getting into the second trimester I feel so much better. I am still tired but I can still work and perform my usual activities. I also work out most days of the week and do what I can. I don’t overdo it and if I feel especially exhausted one day I will rest.

So how did the kids take the news?

The kids are super excited, especially Savannah! They kiss my belly every day and they cannot wait until the baby gets here. I don’t think they understand that it takes 9 months lol because every day they come home expecting to see a newborn. My kids are each three years apart and the spacing works well for us. We have both kids potty trained and pretty independent so I think this is the perfect time to add another.

What do you think will change this time around?

I definitely think we will need more help. My mother has helped us with both kids extensively. With my son she lived with us for almost two years before I placed him in daycare which was a huge blessing! She will help us in the beginning again and we will consider hiring a nanny at least part time for help when she leaves. We have managed well without a nanny so far because both the kids are in school during the day but I am sure the dynamic will change with a third. I will also be sure to hire someone for laundry because it is already overwhelming and we already have cleaners and someone who cooks for us weekly. I do not believe in overworking myself and have nothing to prove to anyone so if I need help I get it.