Jessica's Pregnancy Journal, Entry 8: 24 Weeks

Dear Diary,

I'm more than halfway through this pregnancy! Woohoo!

It can be hard (often sometimes) to be pregnant again this soon after having our first baby. People I meet on the street are typically very negative, although they think they're being really positive. It's pretty funny actually. People ask about you, they ask how old Baby James is, when you're due, etc. Then they start in with how hot the summer is going to be, how hard it's going to be to have two little ones, etc. People think they're contributing to you in some way or something. I am learning to have a thicker skin and put on my filter whenever someone asks me how far along I am. I just smile and nod and make a joke. It almost always works. 

I was able this week to ask Dr. Gray finally about having another C-section! That was a relief! At my regular monthly appointment she assured me that we can try a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section) and if all goes well then that's how Baby Alice will come. We went over the risks for me and for Baby Alice and the positives of having a VBAC as well. We had a nice talk about it and at the end of the appointment I signed the form to try a vaginal birth! So we'll see how that goes when the time comes. 

My belly is measuring pretty accurately for my due date, in other words, not too big or too small. We're getting ready for our summer vacation! We weren't able to take one last year as I had a baby last summer, too. Yikes, when you say it like that! So this year is really neat for us. Baby James also turns one and there's 4th of July soon so we're a pretty busy little family over here! Everything is going really well though. No real complaints! 

It's been a really pretty easy couple of months lately. Hubby and I both agree that I seem more like myself with this pregnancy. Which is great! I am a bit weary of the summer heat and the months I have ahead of me. I had a weird bout of sciatic nerve pain on my left side. It was excruciating actually and I eventually went in to see Lisa Clark, Nurse Practitioner, and was referred to physical therapy for it. 

The pain is almost entirely gone now and what a relief that is! It made it difficult or impossible to carry Baby James at all and that was very hard for both of us for a few weeks but we adapted, got through it and now I finally feel like we're on the other side. I didn't see that pain coming and can't think of anything I did to cause it so we think the baby just sat funny or the way my body is changing (widening) caused it. Who cares, it's over, right?! Here's to more pain-free months ahead!

To read more from Jessica's journey, visit Jessica's Pregnancy Journal.

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To learn more about Sharp's pregnancy and childbirth services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego OBGYN or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about pregnancy and childbirth, visit Pregnancy and Childbirth in Adult Health or read the Pregnancy and Childbirth News archive.