Mon 31 Oct 2011
For the billionth consecutive post about Allie (or so it seems)…
She’s 37 weeks today, which means she’s reached full term! Yay! I had a short and sweet OB visit this morning before work. I’m at 154 lbs, which I found rather disturbing, but the OB of all people wasn’t concerned. Almost as a pre-emptive excuse, when the doctor walked in and asked how the baby and I are, I told him she seems to be growing by leaps and bounds to the point where it’s noticeable every few days (not a lie). He said cavalierly, “Well, they’ll do that to ya at this point.” He measured my bump (such an understatement) and said it’s right on par with where it’s supposed to be (within 3 cm of the # of weeks gestation). He did an ultrasound and noted she’s head-down on her side, which is how she was orientated last check-up, and that her bladder’s full and “right about to pee.” I asked when I can expect her to do the last quarter-turn to be face-down, how the birthing class said is the position we want the baby to be born in. He explained, “We want her on her side right now. She’ll make that last turn herself to get out while you’re in labor.” Oh! She’s not a procrastinator. She’s been in that position for about a month now. He said what I had experienced last week mid-walk was likely a contraction, and that the rock-hard tightening of my stomach that I’ve felt (with my fingers) fairly often lately, which comes without any pain or much sensation, is the Braxton Hicks. As for the bumps and pokes I’ve felt on top near my diaphram, those are “booty-bumps” and she’s also got her right foot up there. I asked if he could tell how big she was at this point, and he said if they have a concern about the baby’s size at this point, they’d refer the patient to radiology for a proper measurement, but since everything measures within normal ranges, he expects her to be in the high 6 lbs, low 7 lbs at her due date. “Just where you wanted her to be,” I remembered.
As he helped me sit up, he said, “You’re at about 30 pounds right now?”
“I’m right about at 30, yes.”
“That’s good. I think you’re doing a good job in keep your weight where it should be, and she’s at the right size. Just keep up with the walks, keep your weight pretty much where it is, and you’re fine.” He shook my hand and smiled at me. Whoa, did he tell me 30 is okay? Is this Halloween today or April Fool’s Day? I thanked him went on my way to work.
At this point in time, and for the next 18 years, your life will be about Allie. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be. So happy he gave you the thumbs up. Aren’t BH contractions odd feeling? It’s like an alien has possessed your body and is working it. 😀
Don’t worry about your weight…you get fat and there is no way around it. Every woman retains weight differently, and as long as you are eating healthy and staying active, then you shouldn’t worry at all about your weight. There is really no reason for them to even tell you about your weight, as if you should have some kind of “target”…can you imagine someone thinking they need to diet while pregnant? It’s absurd!
Did someone tell you that 30 pounds was not OK?
Maggie – I don’t feel most of my BH; sometimes I just feel a little hyper-extended so I put my hands there and realize I have a giant boulder in my stomach. That’s how I know I’m having BH contractions. I suppose that’s not too different from alien possession, haha
AM – I’m not worried about fat; I’ve battled the bulge before and came out fine, and besides, I’ve only had vanity weight struggles, never any actual health risk. The “number” was stressful because from the beginning of seeing this OB, he gave me the magic number at 20-25. And then he harped on me about it throughout the 2nd trimester. He did tell me not to diet, tho. Now that he’s leaving me alone about the 30 lbs (despite it being 5-10 more than he’d wanted originally), I wonder if he was just over-emphasizing 20-25 to keep me from blowing up, while secretly being okay with 30 all along. But he didn’t want to SAY 30 in case I blow that and end up being 50 or something.
i’m glad your OB finally came to his senses. and i can’t believe that you are so close — could be just days away now. i’m sooo excited for you!!!
2 weeks away from due date, so it COULD be any day now! I’m very curious about my birthing story. 🙂