Week 28 Ultrasound

Today is Week 28, Day 6. Almost 29 weeks. I'm technically in the third trimester now, and the DAY is drawing closer. I got some new clothes in the mail from my mother. Here's a little taste:


We got some great news today at the ultrasound. The VSDs (holes) in the baby's heart are now down to less than one millimeter each in size. With any luck, they will be gone before the birth. If not, they should be gone close after. The next ultrasound is not until 29 November, so we have plenty of time to work it out!

My suspicions were confirmed today... the reason my ribs hurt so badly is because a tiny foot is wedged up there in them throughout much of the day. I have started doing yoga and other stretches to get Baby to do something else with its feet for a while, but eventually they migrate right back into their favorite resting place. I guess I shouldn't complain. It's slightly less annoying than the sciatic nerve pain I had for the entire second trimester.

And now, the ones you're REALLY waiting for, the baby:

Baby's eyes are open. Because we woke it up with the ultrasound!Big yawn!!!

It's simply amazing to watch the little one grow and move. We saw the eyes moving around, "looking" at stuff (even though it's REALLY dark in there and not much to see). And the little one's tongue, tasting the amniotic fluid and practicing the SUCK. The technician says there is hair on Baby's head now. The heart rate was really good... 138 bpm at first (sleeping), and finally around 150 bpm by the end (because Baby was irritated, I think). Baby weighs 3 lbs., 1 oz. and is about a week ahead for its size (looking like a 30 week, 1 day baby rather than a 28 week, 6 day baby). Here's hoping that means the little one shows up early!

Week 28 - Warning: Contents Under Pressure

A new development over the last week is that when I lie down at night, I can feel Baby pressing against one side of my belly. This is different from the bump-bump I feel when Baby is restless or practicing karate. This is just like what I would call a classic "fart stretch." I know I'm a redneck with no manners, but don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Babies are not shy about doing this when they are gassy. I've witnessed it firsthand numerous times. They stretch out their legs against something that can push back (presumably a caregiver's hands or legs) and just let 'er rip.

So now I feel the pressure against one side of my belly as I'm lying there about to fall asleep. And the fun part is, when I push back, I can feel Baby move away (not jerky bumps again, but really fluid movements). Baby rolls over or withdraws the offending limb from my abdominal wall. It is a RESPONSE, which I think is awesome. Until now, Baby was just a mess of arms and legs and squirms and wiggles and lacked any kind of real direction in movement. Now, there is a distinct pattern. Baby sleeps, Baby wakes and wants to play, Baby gets fussy and irritated, and Baby likes to stretch at night. It's cool!

So now entering MONTH SEVEN, I'm still feeling pretty good. I have some new, cute maternity clothes to wear. I owe some pictures to you loyal readers (all three of you) and promise to post them, maybe as an edit to this blog. I will soon have more time to be more faithful in my writing. I'm switching to shorter workdays this week (provided I don't have eighty million things to do) in order to reduce the workload and stress and prevent pre-term labor. Although, I would really appreciate "pre-term" labor at around week 37. That would be awesome.

Mexican Jumping Bean - Doula You Love Me?

So Mexico was a blast. The weather was warm (okay, hot) and the humidity was approximately that of a steam room, but it was a nice change from the 48-degrees-and-raining Pacific Northwest. I think Baby liked it too. I call him/her my "Mexican Jumping Bean" because at least two or three times per day, the little one was dancing the salsa or something in there!

I am still learning where the Bean is in my belly: what position, which way he/she is facing, and where the feet are. But today, a doula came to talk to all the preggos at Fort Lewis (there are a lot), and she gave us some handouts that showed us not only how to tell where Baby is (through "Belly Mapping") but how to make Baby move! The website where she got/created the handout is here. The Doulas of North America have a website that helps pregnant folks find a doula and birthing center in their local area.

I'm not sure I want a doula because I have a certified nurse midwife, a doctor standing by, and a wonderful husband who will be my partner. Still, it's good to know that I can have him wrap a towel under my belly while I'm on hands and knees and he can "shake the baby" using the towel and squeeze my hips with his legs while standing over me. All that just to get the baby ready to be born. In a position that hopefully won't require too much back labor, too much bleeding, too many stitches, or too many long hours.

With the Bean jumping all over the place as of now, it might be useful to learn a few techniques to ensure he/she isn't trying to put a foot through the birth canal!