Week 33

Weight: 128 lbs. (- 1 lbs)
Fundal height: 32 cm (determined by measuring from the top of the pubic bone the top of the uterus (called the fundus) which is quite a bit above the belly button right now)

Well here I am...eight months pregnant!! I officially took my first (and hopefully last) fall today. It was everything I expected - awkward, ungraceful, embarrassing, and a little scary.

It was nothing exciting - I was walking and just turned my right ankle (maybe because of some water on the floor?) and there was no recovering so down I went onto my left side. Only one student saw and I don't think she knew what to do. I felt like a turtle on its back - I was able to get up as quickly as I fell but it was just the awkwardness of being on the ground. I officially realized what all the books meant by my center of gravity is off and my joints are not as strong. Anyway, I did all I had to - called the midwives and filled out the accident reports. In the end, I'm sure we are both going to be okay! If there was any week to fall this may have been the best since the volume of my amniotic fluid is at its peak, therefore, cushioning the baby from the fall.

We had an appointment this past week as well. Believe it or not, I actually lost a pound. I am assuming it's because I was not feeling all that great last week and, hence, not eating as much as I should have been. But neither the nurse (Kathy) nor the midwife (Sarah) were concerned.

Once again, the appointment lasted at least 30 minutes - which is a good thing. We discussed circumcisions (if it's a boy), cord blood collection/donation, anesthesia options (hopefully won't be needed), and even post pardum birth control. We don't want to end up like one of their 18-year-old patients who came back for her 6 week post pardum appointment and found out she was pregnant again!!!

So far Sarah is my favorite midwife. She's just SO thorough!! But then again I have spoken to Martha each time I've needed to call in and we seem to be on the same page. In addition, she's so helpful and reassuring. And then Elaine just has so much experience. So in the end I will be thankful to have any one of the midwives to deliver the baby!

This Saturday we will be taking our Childbirth course. It's a one day shot so I hope we take it all in!! We may also be picking up the dresser that day as well. With only 7 weeks to go, we would also like to take a Breastfeeding 101 class along with a 'How to Take Care of a Baby' course!!

And finally, my roommate and housemate from college, Breanne, gave birth early yesterday morning to Emma! Although I have not spoken to her, it sounds as though both momma and child are doing well! Congrats to her and Seth!!!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.
• Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
• Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him/her the skills s/he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, s/he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.
• While most of his/her bones are hardening, his/her skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
• You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since s/he gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages his/her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
• If the baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.
• Your infant is now 17.2 inches long and weighs 4.23 pounds.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)