To start, I've "popped." And that's not a subjective statement. Strangers are now able to recognize my pregnant state and coworkers are confirming that I do indeed, finally, appear pregnant. It only took 6.5 months...And I don't know if it's because I'm looking pregnant that I'm starting to feel pregnant or if I'm starting to feel pregnant because, well, I'm 6.5 months in, but I'm starting to get uncomfortable, and my belly already seems more of a handicap than it would appear to pose. Getting upright from a vertical position requires rolling to the side - it stretches my abdomen too much and causes some pain otherwise. Bending over also requires modification - my stance has to be wider. And the back pain, though still low and dull, is more frequent, as is the accompanying-every-meal heartburn. I have worked through the leg cramps though; I've been successful at training myself to stretch my toes upward instead of pointing them outward. So that's something. Really though, despite the above list of complaints, I'm feeling very fortunate that I've generally felt great with no major complaints.
I feel like I'm still the smallest pregnant woman on the block. I thought I was looking decently pregnant when I escorted a lactation instructor into a conference room full of pregnant women two weeks ago, but I didn't even compare. My colleague at work, due the same day as me, has a bump far superior to mine, though she is on her second baby. And the women in our weekend birthing class appeared to be working on 12 pound babies and left me feeling somewhat doubtful about my womb's growth potential. With that said, it's surprising to me that I'm having to modify some movements due to the belly - when it's really not all that big. But, as a colleague pointed out, it's big on me. It's all perspective. I'm sure Kenny Jr is inside, big and heavy as his peers...just perhaps cramped a bit in my smallish womb. It would be nice to have this verified though. I can't wait for the ultrasound next week to confirm his length and weight (and position, and facial features!)
We took a birthing class this weekend, and Kenny didn't complain...too excessively...and I think we even learned some stuff. I learned that I really will be able to labor in any position I choose, there's a fairly decent chance I'll end up with an IV (NOT awesome), and I'm going to have to report to a nurse every time I pee post-labor. And that I'll be in iced Depends for a few days. (Probably too much information, but that's what's on my mind). I'll also get to be with the baby the entire time - he doesn't have to leave my room until the next morning when the staff pediatrician checks him out. And episiotomies aren't routine (perineum slicing). And Kenny may in fact have to be there for the whole, scary, messy birth because I'm going to need someone to remind me to breathe, pee, apply chapstick every so often, and NOT panic. We'll be fine I know. I mean, the baby has to come out at some point and I'm going to have to deal with that. It's just nice to be somewhat more informed now. I told Kenny that even if he didn't learn anything new (outside of all the things we've read), he'd be a happier man for having taken the course with me because I'd be a happier mother-to-be and well, our happiness levels are correlated... I think overall the birthing class just helped ease my fear of the unknown. I now know what to expect with my provider and the hospital on delivery day and that helps a lot! And who knows. Maybe I'll be a labor champ :)
So, the "hippie" (Kenny designates almost everything I do, like being vegetarian, "hippie") birth plan is to try for a vaginal, unmedicated birth at our local birthing center with the midwife group. The birthing center is IN the local hospital so if I call for drugs at the last minute, they're available. And there's quick access for a c-section and neo-natal unit if necessary. I'm hoping I don't have to have any interventions if only because I fear the dreaded, metal, stickpins that I get poked with and cause my brain to shut down. And IVs and catheters (for an epidural) sound scariest of all because they're stuck in me for a long period of time like I'm some sort of cyborg with hoses. So hopefully intervention won't be necessary because my current phobia of needles far outweighs my vision of labor pain. And hopefully I'll deliver at least by September 5th because if I go past that date, then I'm subject to induction (and I'm pretty sure they don't offer Pitocin in pill form...)
So the ultrasound is next week and we're pumped to get more pictures (I'll post them next Thursday). My regular OB visit is two days later and I look forward to knowing what weight I've gained this month as 24 - 28 weeks is supposed to be a growth spurt period. As I've definitely gained the tell-tale belly this month, I'm curious if I'll have the weight gain to back that. I'm not making any more assumptions or estimates on weight though - I always seem to be wrong. I will have to get some blood work done for thyroid & iron levels and gestational diabetes screening but I'm just going to focus on the positive visit stuff.
Lastly, we've started to get some registry gifts (thank you!) but everything is currently accumulating in the living room as Kenny's not yet vacated the office aka future nursery. That may occur this weekend. He's hesitant to start the nursery set-up process because he seems to think I'm anal-retentive and would need to complete the room set-up once started. Which is probably an accurate concern. So we may wait until at least all of the furniture arrives to start putting things together because I do so hate unfinished projects...We did make our first joint baby purchase this weekend at the Carter's outlet near the birthing class place. It wasn't as overwhelming as I anticipated, but everything looked adorable and desirable and that may be why we ended up with something like 20 articles of clothing, but everything was on sale so...I have no guilt. The baby also acquired some new digs at the Cal Poly SLB university store when I was in CA, so he can support his uncle's attendance with a mini-hoodie, jumper and winter beanie. He also got a sweet hat & bib set in Hawaiian print at the Strawberry festival and we picked up some newborn Etnies (skater shoes) at a surf shop. I can see where this might be addicting...
That's it for now. The weather's been warm and I've been exceedingly comfortable in dresses (I'll get to continue holding off on maternity wear purchases as long as I can keep wearing these dresses) and feeling, overall, very happy and healthy, and fortunate that things are going so well!
Bonus pic: Cash bonding with his future baby brother
