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Here is week 17! I had a doctor appointment this week and got to hear the baby’s heartbeat again. Leah loves hearing it and must watch Doc McStuffins when we get home each time. We also went out of town for a wedding and were in the car for 13-14 hours from Friday to Sunday. That made a few things more difficult. I also forgot to take an “official” bump picture, so you get one from the wedding! This week the baby is the size of a pomegranate.
Did you miss the Week 16’s Bump Update? Check it out here!
A Few Week 17 Highlights
Activity Level
I was still struggling with lower back pain this week but pushed through to get some workouts completed. They weren’t my typical workouts, but any exercise is better than none!
This week
Days of Strength Training: 1
I completed the first day of my prenatal strength training program this week since it was targeting my shoulders and triceps. I was unable to do days 2 and 3 with them affecting my back though.
Days of Other Workouts: 2 1/2
I took off cardio for this week as I have not been able to get back into running with facing sciatica and lower back pain. This week I did the following exercises:
- 30 minutes of yoga to help with my back pain
- 1 hour of virtual sports where I threw balls, kicked soccer balls, etc. (I was in pain the next day, so this counts!)
- 2 hours of dancing at a wedding (hey, I got a good amount of steps from it, so it must be exercise!)
Weight
Pre-pregnancy: +3lbs
This week: +1.2lbs
Symptoms
Increased Appetite
I am still so hungry! This week I made some pretty bad decisions when it came to eating. Let’s see… I ate an entire 12” thin crust pizza while out of town for a wedding (I out ate my husband!) and I had chocolate ice cream for lunch one day (it was a stressful day, okay?!). I am pretty sure I put on about 5lbs this week, so I am nervous about my 18-week weigh-in. Gaining 5-10lbs is normal at this point in your pregnancy, so I am not too concerned with my weight gain thus far. I will, however, work to get back on track this week.
Sciatica
My sciatica wasn’t too much of a problem this week. It sparked up on Saturday while we were at a wedding, but I stretched certain areas and sat down for a few minutes and it helped a lot.
Lower Back Pain
My lower back pain has still been consistent all week. Some days were worse than others and honestly 6-hour car rides each way to the wedding didn’t help. I plan to keep foam rolling and stretching my back as often as possible as I didn’t get to do that this past weekend. I also plan to do more yoga and possibly get a prenatal massage soon too.
Stress
My stress level and hormones were pretty bad this past week. It didn’t help that we went out of town and was away from Leah 2 nights in a row, the longest I’ve ever been away from her. I also had to spend about 6 hours on the phone and on chat with our local cable company with issues 2 days before we left. I am hoping to lay low next week and ease the stress away.
Cravings and Aversions
Cravings
- Still everything sweet hence, the chocolate ice cream for lunch.
- Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese. It’s just so cheesy and so good.
Madison at The Weaver Fam
Sunday 16th of September 2018
You look so pretty! I was always starving in my second trimester as well. It doesn’t get any better in the third either ? congratulations!
Samantha
Tuesday 18th of September 2018
Aww, thank you Madison! I do remember that! I put on so much weight my first pregnancy for that reason. All I want at the moment is Oreos!
Shanophia
Friday 14th of September 2018
I couldn’t excercise during my pregnancy due to placenta previa. That so awesome your keeps up with it. Keep going Mama the benefits will be rewarding!
Samantha
Friday 14th of September 2018
Thank you! I am hoping it helps this time around. Last pregnancy I didn't work out once.
Tallary
Thursday 13th of September 2018
That is awesome that you're trying to exercise throughout your pregnancy. Around this time, I was on a banana pepper kick and needed to eat them just about every other night!
Samantha
Friday 14th of September 2018
Haha that's too funny Tallary! I never get those weird cravings when pregnant, just A LOT of sweets, which I love anyway.
Traci
Thursday 13th of September 2018
Aw I love that you're tracking your pregnancy like this! This will be so fun to look back on one day. That's awesome you're working out while pregnant!
Samantha
Thursday 13th of September 2018
Thank you Traci! It's been hard to keep up with the workouts, but I am trying. I hope to look back and miss it. I honestly do not miss my first pregnancy!