May 2011 Archives

I'm surrounded by experts!

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When it comes to being pregnant, everyone is an expert. They have some anecdote to prove it. Witnessing the pregnancy of a spouse, mother or cousin (no matter how long ago) gives folks boundless knowledge on the subject. Everyone is eager and willing to tell me just what to do in pregnancy. I had a co-worker tell me, in the same breath, that I was sleeping with too few and too many pillows.

These experts are very well informed. I have students who have literally saved my unborn child's life! My favorite tidbit of information from the experts I come across on a daily basis is that raising my arms above my head tightens the umbilical cord. I could choke my baby!

While attempting to get the wee one to move around (poking my stomach), I heard another student mutter, "She's going to kill that baby." If it was that easy two things would be true.

1. We'd be in trouble as a species...
2. We would not have heated national/political debates about the legality of medical abortions.

I don't normally try to 'wake up' the baby - and frankly it doesn't work- but I'm quite certain that this system has been fine tuned. This baby is comfortable, content, and growing.

We're talking about a baby that is just under 3 pounds, is head up at 30 weeks, and is pretty gentle with the movement. Studies monitoring movement in utero, and again in childhood, show that these two things have a high correlation. I know that's not a lot to go on, but I feel like I'm getting to know my baby a little bit. It's like having a clue to the chili pepper's personality. A little piece of information to give detail to my imaginings about our future.

Punch Drunk Love

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Being pregnant in the third (and perhaps second) trimester is a little bit like being drunk. I'm thirsty and clumsy pretty much all the time.

In the last week I've noticed a significant change in the movements of this little chili pepper growing within. According to the internet, this wee one is close to 3 pounds and is about 16 inches long. So, it's close to it's full length, and will be plumping up for the next 8-12 weeks. I'm due in 10, and assuming that I'll likely deliver within two weeks of that date. I'm trying to mentally prepare for 12 so that it will be a bit easier to bare if the little chili pepper wants more time in the oven, especially in August!