Hiccups!!!

I think Christina has the hiccups!

I can feel little rhythmic bumping.

HOW CUTE!!!

This is the first time I've noticed this!

31 Weeks, 2 days late

Watching Christina rotate around inside me has become one of my favorite things to do. It is like watching the aurora borealis. They both are mysterious movements. They both fill me with wonder.

The development of a baby is just incredible. I know how Christina began her growth in my womb and I know the One who is knitting her together but the vast amount of detail that goes into making her who she is... wow, it is phenomenal. Just think what it must be like to put together a nose! A nose to smell roses and fresh baked bread and to even recognize her mother's scent (which of late will be rather strong towards garlic!) And her eyes--what beauty awaits for her little eyes. And her heart, already beating and will, Lord willing, continue to beat for the next 100 years! Okay, maybe not 100 but who knows! I can't wait to show her all the beautiful things God has created for her to enjoy. I can't wait to surround her with her parent's love. I can't wait to see Christina and John together!!! He talks to her daily, kissing and making sounds on my belly. I can't wait to see her laugh at his silliness!!!

And the date for her entrance into this mysterious world is getting closer all the time! It is possible that Christina could be here in 9 weeks!! According to my Week by Week book, Christina now weighs approximately 3.5 pounds. Her total length is nearly 18 inches! ...and that is all the helpful information contained in that book for this week! Other sources mention that her lungs are not yet ready for outside air and that she will gain 1/2 pound a week until delivery. I am going to start measuring how big around I am but I need to buy a measuring tape first! All part of the joy of temporary living in a different state.

Seizures?

Wow, I'm behind on posting this week!

Things are going well. Christina is so active and I love to feel her little body parts move around inside me. Today I could feel a large hard bump (it felt like she was trying to push herself out next to my belly button!) A short while later, Christina was on the move with fingers or toes moving under my hand. How precious!!

I had a scare of few nights ago. It felt like Christina was having a seizure! For about 5 seconds, I could feel what felt like uncontrolled spasams. A few minutes after it finished, Christina began moving all around doing what felt like summersalts! I was glad to know she was fine but I was so worried about what had just happened that I got up and searched on-line for some answers. I discovered that what I felt was quite common. Many pregnant women who were around 30 weeks had felt the same thing. I couldn't find any medical advice but the some of the guesses where that it could be anything from a baby's twitching reflex when she wakes up to some part of her getting caught on something and her trying to free herself. The last idea just sounded dumb. After a few more searches the next day I found something that makes sense to me. The following is copied from this link:

Well, Ladies....I have called my doctor, and done some research on the web. After documenting the "episodes" on paper, I have come to realize that we are not feeling the baby having a seizure...We are feeling the Uterus going through a fit of spasms. If any of you have ever exercized to the point where your muscles seem to "quake" or "shake", this is the same thing for the Uterus. It is getting a constant workout by the Braxton-Hicks contractions. And we don't always know when we are having Braxton-Hicks Contractions...but they are purposefully to "exercise" the uterus for labor and delivery. Since all of our timelines are late in the pregnancy, we've probably been experiencing these contractions for many weeks now, which would explain the uterine muscle spasms. I confirmed this with my Ob-Gyn, and was reassured that this was the most likely cause, since I know-as the pregnant one-that there is NO WAY my baby could be moving that fast!

Also, ...My doctor said that the spasms can be in one area, the whole uterus, the left side, etc etc. Just like when you work out, and your arms seem to shake, it's not always the WHOLE arm...it could be the top muscle and not the bottom, the outside and not the inside, etc. So to experience a uterine spasm in one location only, whether it is the same location every time or a different one, is fine. As long as the baby still moves regularly, and your doctor has no other concerns, I wouldn't worry about these spasms. I will NOT tell you that they are comfortable though, because I could really do without them!

Temporary Residence

30 Weeks!!!

Just think, Christina could BE HERE in 10 weeks!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!! It is still hard to fathom the gift of our own precious daughter to have and to hold. I've been around babies, taken care of my nieces and nephews, but I always had to give them back. It is hard to believe that we'll get to Keep Christina!

30 weeks feels like a huge milestone. I hope last night wasn't the start of how I'll be sleeping from here on. I slept like a baby! Restless, hungry, fidgety, awake more than asleep, etc. I felt like a drank a huge cup of coffee right before going to bed--even though I haven't had caffeine since I've been pregnant.

Wha-hooooooooo! John just got home (early) so I'll post more tomorrow.

Midwife visit

We met the midwife here today, and we really like her. She gave us a lots of time to ask/answer questions and then also did a prenatal. I am still measuring small at 27 cm. vs. the 29 cm. that is typical for this week. She checked my iron and it was at 11 which is okay but I need to work on bringing it up. This is a big blood building time and if my iron drops to 10 I cannot have a home birth. I haven't taken any vitamins since we've been here and I've only drank milk with black strap molasses twice since so I'm going to start that up again! John and I are planning to pick up some chlorophyll which is helpful for that and other things. At this point, I'm not worried about being able to build it up. Everything else was really good.

Christina's heart rate was the fastest so far getting up in the 150's! Her head was a bit below my left ribcage and then she wrapped around with her feet at my lower right side, what a cutie! I was concerned about her head being so high but it is normal for her to be in a breach position. Around 30ish weeks (or later) is when her head will begin to drop.

John has 3 whole days off, wha-hoo!!! He has been putting in such long, hot hours.

I picked up some decorating books at the library so my thoughts are full of ideas for this house!

Week 29, a day late

Oops! I lost track of the day! Yesterday, John and I planned to meet Jeanna's midwife but things changed with John's work schedule and so we will visit her tomorrow morning. From chatting with her on the phone, she sounds very nice and Jeanna has had nothing but positive things to say about her so I'm looking forward to spending time with her.

Well there it is: the third trimester! I have been feeling a bit different... Sunday and today I got hungry and hot and felt like I was going to pass out--a new feeling for this pregnancy. So, I'm going to work on eating protein, staying cool, and taking my black strap molasses to keep my iron up.

I have been needing a lot of rest but last night my body decided I did not need sleep and that my bladder needed to be empty. Usually I fall asleep after John leaves for work but today that hasn't worked.

I have been having some pain in my lower stomach, I'm guessing this is round ligament pain. It isn't horrible, just feels like something is getting stretched in there.

Christina has continued to be active, so nice to feel her moving around in there! I love to watch my belly move around with her!

I'm getting a taste of what life holds in store for us seeing Jeanna with her two children aged 3 and a bit over 1 year old. Jeanna is such a fun mom who really enjoys her children--even with all their activity! :0) I hope to never lose that enjoyment.

A short childbirth guide

I've been reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I don't agree with everything but the more I read the more I get excited about labor and delivery! The section I just read was about her theory of Sphincter Law. Ina believes the following points:

• Excretory, cervical, and vaginal sphincters function best in an atmosphere of intimacy and privacy--for example, a bathroom with a locking door or a bedroom, where interruption is unlikely or imposable.
• These sphincters cannot be opened at will and do not respond well to commands (such as "Push!" or "Relax!"
• When a person's sphincter is in the process of opening, it may suddenly close down if that person becomes upset, frightened, humiliated, or self-conscious. Why? High levels of adrenaline in the bloodstream do not favor (sometimes they actually prevent) the opening of the sphincters. This inhibition factor is one important reason why women in traditional societies have mostly chosen other women--except in extraordinary circumstances--to attend them in labor and birth.
• The state of relaxation of the mouth and jaw is directly correlated to the ability of the cervix, the vagina, and the anus to open to full capacity.

She then goes on to talk about how a study was done with women to see if they could take a pee in their home while being observed (not an easy thing to do). They then took the same women into a hospital to pee while being observed. Not surprisingly, a high percentage of the women were unable to do it.

There is a lot of information in the book but these are the main points (with my goals for Christina's birth):

Sphincters Do Not Obey Orders

I want to deliver drug free so that I can a) know what is going on inside my body and b) know when it is time to push vs. someone commanding me to.

Sphincters Function Best in an Atmosphere of Familiarity and Privacy

This is one of the biggest reasons I want a home birth. I want my labor and birth to be in a relaxed setting with a few people who I am 100% comfortable with. In order for my body to relax I need to feel very safe and supported.

Sphincters May Suddenly Close When Their Owner Is Startled or Frightened

Ina has seen where the progress of birth was actually reversed after rough handeling by another doctor. And I've read other stories of birthing women who got scared in labor and halted or reversed their progress.

Laughter Helps Open the Sphincters

This is the best point! I really want to make birthing a fun experience! There are many things to get embarassed about but I hope I can meet them with a smile and laugh.

Ina writes about the connection between top and bottom: "A relaxed mouth means a more elastic cervix. Women whose mouths and throats are open and relaxed during labor and birth rarely need stiches after childbirth."

"On the other hand, women who grimace and clench their jaws while pushing have a greater tendency to tear, because their perineal tissues are more ridged."

"If you feel like grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, catch yourself! Take a deep breath and exhale, relaxing your mouth and throat muscles. This effect is enhanced with an audible sigh when you exhale. Make a sound pitched low enough to vibrate your chest."

"Singing will maximize the ability of the body's sphincters to open. The sounds that accomplish this best are the notes that come from as deep down in the body as possible, the ones that vibrate the entire chest."

"I can say this categorically--I have never noticed anyone's cervix remain tight and unyeilding while speaking loving and positive words."

"...I have also found that many women find it helpful to be told that mooing like a cow is a good way to keep the throat open and relaxed. If they think it's funny to hear these sounds, so much the better, since being amused also aids relaxation."

28 Weeks ~

28 weeks is the typical week for women with Rh negative blood to get a rhogam shot. The shot is meant to guard my blood against building antibodies towards Rh positive blood. Here is a link to read more info: http://www.babycenter.com/0_blood-test-for-rh-status-and-antibody-screen_1480.bc

Even though we are away from "home", Jeanna's midwife is willing to administer the shot. We don't have a date planned for it yet. I am not at all looking forward to it. I had my first one after my miscarriage and it was quite painful.

In happier news, Christina continues to grow and expand. She now weighs nearly 2 and half pounds! Her head to bum length is close to 10 inches and her total length is 15 and 3/4 inches long. Wow!

She is kicking me as I type :0) Here is an expert from the Week by Week book:

"Until this time, the surface of the baby's developing brain has appeared smooth. At around 28 weeks of pregnancy, the brain forms characteristic grooves and indentations on the surface. The amount of brain tissue also increases.

"Your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes may be present. Hair on the baby's head is growing longer. The baby's body is becoming plumper and rounder. It's beginning to fill out a little because of increased fat underneath the skin. Before this time, the baby had a thin appearance.

"Your baby now weighs 2 and a half pounds. This is an amazing growth compared to just 11 weeks ago when [she] weighed only about 3 and a half ounces at 17 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby has increased its weight more than 10 times in 11 weeks! In the last 4 weeks, from the 24th of your pregnancy to this week, [her] weight has doubled. Your baby is growing rapidly!"

Good news since I continue to expand as well. In the past weeks I've gained 5 pounds according to the scales but with all the swelling in my ankles the gain my be mostly fluid.

little bit of life

Bleck, my feet and ankles look like clubs! They respond to the heat and humidity by blowing up. So attractive.

We arrived here on Friday. John has turned into a sponge, soaking up all the information needed to work at this job. I think he is a genius! Such a blessing to have this month to test it out.

It has been such a precious blessing to be so close to our dear friends: Jeanna and Abe. Abe and John are two peas in a pod. It is so neat to see their similarities! And Jeanna, is still as wonderful as she was 10 years ago when we were roommates in Romania. It is hard to believe that we get to be next door neighbors!

John, Christina, and I got to attend our first air show. We found a spot in the shade, not too close to the action. I wore earplugs and wrapped my arms around my belly to protect Christina from the noise. It was a really neat experience!

Another loud first for her was fireworks on the beach--Lovely! I've gotten out of the habit of carrying my camera around with me so sorry for no pics of the activities.

We are enjoying our little house very much. Our renters have given full permission to change things so if we do move here, I have a long list of things I want to do to make it ours.

My neck needs a rest. Ttfn.

Week 27, a few days late

We are on the road again! We still have around 5 hours drive time till we reach our destination. John will be working hard at this new job for the month of July. After the month, we will decide whether or not we want to move. We are excited and exhausted. The past few nights have been short and restless. Pregnancy causes the trip to take longer. My tiny bladder and swelling feet need frequent stops. John tries very hard to meet my needs.

Last Sunday, John's relatives gave us a Baby Shower! Christina now has a collection of adorable outfits--I can't wait to try them on her! John's family put together a whole year's worth of clothes and pinned them to a clothes line--so cute!

Christina has been kicking up a storm! I won't be surprised if she comes out somersaulting! My Week by Week book is somewhere in the truck so here are some links to check out:

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-27-weeks

http://www.babiesonline.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week27.asp

Oh, I guess I am now in my 3rd trimester! How did that sneak up so fast? I thought that didn't begin until week 28. Wha-hoo for trimester 3!