Baby CL's latest check up...

Because we're all so very interested in knowing what's going on with them, no? I was at the obstetrician yesterday for my 32 week appointment. Baby CL is measuring perfectly, with a steady heart rate of 135 beats per minute. I have gained 20 pounds, which the nurse practitioner exclaimed all excitedly about how good that is. I know, it is good, it's just that hauling around 20 extra pounds is very much not fun, albeit for a good cause. :) So far, everything is totally uneventful, which is the way I want it to be. No signs of preeclampsia, all is well.

The baby has dropped even lower, and I'm pretty sure their head is engaging in my pelvis. This is very good news. I'm also having a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions this time around. Mike seems a little concerned that this means that I'll have the baby early, but I don't think so. I think that the second (and above) time around, your body prepares more effectively. Thus, the timing of labor is not affected, it will be either slightly before or after 40 weeks just like it would otherwise be, but once started, it will be more productive more quickly. We'll see, but that's what I'm hoping for. This may mean I'm unceremoniously breaking out the truck driver language earlier on in the labor process, but hey; I can live with that.

Because the baby is positioned so much lower, I'm a lot more comfortable (except for my poor, poor bladder; please forgive me dear bladder, and come back to your regular self after delivery!) but there's also some sensations associated with this that can only be characterized as "odd." I don't think I need to go into any more detail, we all know what I'm talking about, yes? These sensations have caused me to, at times, resort to the "pregnant woman waddle." As well, today for the first time, I noticed that when I dropped something when I was walking, the first thought that came to my mind was:

"Do I really need that?"

Because bending down is not high on my list of priorities these days. It involves a ballet-like plie move that can be teetered or tottered very easily into a very unladylike face plant.

At any rate, these things are actually quite exciting to me this time around, because I know that they mean that the baby is getting bigger and will be here soon!