30 weeks!

10/1/08

The baby should be about 15.7 inches long now, and weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in the uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.

I really am in the home stretch! I can't believe I am down to single digit weeks when I count down how many I have left!!! I saw the midwife again on Monday, and everything was great. I only gained 1 pound in the past two weeks, so that was better than the 6 pounds I had gained the two weeks before that. With Owen, I gained quite a bit of weight in the middle of the pregnancy, and then really tapered off gaining only a pound every couple of weeks towards the end. It looks like I may be doing the same thing with this baby. The baby's heartbeat sounded fast and strong again. The baby actually kicked the doppler at the same time she was trying to hear the heartbeat, as if saying, "leave me alone!"I measured 33 weeks instead of 30, but I think it had to do with the baby position. I have noticed that the baby is starting to move more vertical instead of being horizontal all the time. For the longest time, this baby loved to lay sideways, with it's feet on my right hip and it's head near my left hip. My blood pressure and urine were also fine. I asked the midwife it would be possible for George to "catch" the baby. She said of course, as long as everything is going well. She said I am small enough that I could even reach down and pull the baby out after the head is delivered. How awesome is that?? Instead of a stranger being the first one to hold our baby, it will be amazing for one of us to to have that initial contact. George will then be able to announce if we have a little girl or boy. I can't wait!!! I am so excited just thinking about that moment!

Our Bradley classes are going well, and I am so glad we decided to take a refresher course. I think it is going to help us by having all that info so fresh in our minds again. I am determined to have the natural birth we want this time around! NO INDUCTION!! I have positive pregnancy affirmations delivered to my email inbox everyday, and the one for today is "my body knows when to give birth." I am going to print this one, so that I can see it, and say it daily.

George and I are going to the theatre tonight to see Pride and Prejudice. He bought tickets the for my birthday present. Claudia, our nanny, is coming over to watch Owen for the night. I am sure they will have fun as well. The play is not supposed to get over until after 10:00pm, so I may have to take a power nap this afternoon so that I will be able to stay awake. That is still my only complaint for this pregnancy..... I can't sleep. If I get much past 90 degrees, I can't breathe out of my nose. I am also so hot that I have to have the ceiling fan on max. With breathing out of my mouth and the fan on max, my mouth gets so dry. I wake up, and have to get something to drink. Well, that creates another problem- I drink and then I wake up because I have to pee. So, between waking up to get something to drink and to pee, I don't get much sleep. It is all worth it, and I wouldn't change it for the world, so I guess I should just stop complaining. : )

I LOVE BEING PREGNANT!!!
MY BODY KNOWS WHEN TO GIVE BIRTH!!!