Week 31, Day 4

Chuggin' along...

Yesterday I had an appointment at the ABC w/o Mateo. Que sad. I met with Anabel. She was gentle and nice. I'm not sure how to describe her - professional, sweet... etc. She said goodbye to baby when I walked out the door. Which I liked. :)

So, as far as the checkup she asked about my Braxton Hicks some more and just let me know how to recognize signs of pre-term labor. She said the only difference between Braxton Hicks and progressive contractions is merely that the labor contractions won't go away. More than 4-5 in an hour and I should call her. I pretty much only get them when I'm walking - campus, etc.

Speaking of - I'm not on campus anymore because school is out! I defintely think the walking was helping with swelling because lately I've noticed my feet have been a little swollen.

She measured my belly - which is at 31cm this week! She called it "textbook." I knew I was getting huge! Two weeks ago Zoe was below the measurement - I think at 28 cm. Now I'm 31 cm! 3 cm in growth in just two weeks! She listenned to the heartbeat as well. It was low at first - around 120ish - so Anabel had me lay on my side and ta-da - back up at 140. Zoe doesn't like it on my back apparently -- and really, neither do I. She felt for the baby and as of yesterday, Zoe was head-down! HURRAY!!!!! This is wonderful news for anyone who has to had to watch the C-section video in Bradley class. Anabel said that she still has some room to turn around, but most likely she will settle where she is and will stay head-down.

There is a weird feeling that I get sometimes pretty low in my stomach. I think it's Zoe hiccuping and her head bouncing back. It's right where Anabel had me feel her head and it always feels exactly the same and it lasts for 5 or so minutes. So silly.

So, just for fun information - I can have her at the birthing center as early as 36 weeks. I mean, I probably - God willing - won't go into labor that early, but if I did - it would be okay to have her there. Which means -- one more month and that's it! Actually, today is exactly two months to the due date.

p.s. the math teacher who had his baby - which was a BOY! - said his family is doing well. I think Matt and I are going to go tonight to visit them. The baby was four pounds when he was born - and he is doing pretty good so far. Premies have to pass all these certain qualifications before they can go home and this baby can't keep his temperature up - so they are still working on him before they can take him home. But praise for a healthy baby otherwise!

My next appointment is in 3 weeks, so that I can be on track for the 34, 36 and then every week after that check-ups.

Annnnd.. the hip/side pain is back. Oh well - the relief was welcome while it lasted.