2003-07-16 - 4:07 p.m. - Cycle day: 33 weeks, 3 days

Just got back from my last major pre-baby vacation. I went to L.A. for five days to visit with friends, see my sister, and preside as guest of honor at an expectedly unconventional baby shower. (Although there was a hugely unexpected moment when I looked across the bowling alley and saw someone who looked a lot like my last pre-Husband boyfriend. I moved in for a closer look, and sure enough, it was him. I called his name, and he did the best double-take ever - first realizing it was me (we haven't seen each other in person for over 5 years), then seeing my belly. The kicker? He was there for his bachelor party. What are the odds?) It was a great party and a great weekend. I had a lot of fun showing off the belly (especially since it was decked out in a fancy new dress from Naissance, my one maternity clothing splurge). Most of my friends are guys in their late 20s (hence my new collection of Spiderman board books), and very few had any experience being around pregnant women. I let them feel the baby kick and you'd think I was David Blaine or something - they were totally mystified. One friend jumped off his chair and nearly fell over, he was so astonished by the sensation. Just when I think I'm getting used to the idea of having a person inside me, all I have to do is see someone else react to it and it's like I'm starting all over.

One of the best things about the shower was a keepsake book that my sister brought - she passed it around and had everyone write a little something to me or the baby. I highly recommend this for anyone having a shower or baby welcoming. The presents were great and everything, but reading all the loving, supportive, excited notes from my friends was really the highlight of the day.

In other news, I had my 33-week OB visit today, and the stats were as follows:

Weight: 136 lbs

Blood pressure: 106/70

Fetal heartrate: 140 bpm

Fundal height: 33.5 cm

Next time I visit, there will be an all new nursing staff, so that should be interesting. There was a big debate about my uterus size today, since the new nurse just came from an ear, nose and throat practice and isn't quite expert in measuring fundal height yet.

Feeling pregnant but good these days. I'm starting to notice a little swelling, which I'm sure has as much to do with living in a semi-tropical climate in July as it does with being pregnant. I've got sort of a carpal tunnel thing going on in my foot, though - the swelling and hormones have caused the large vein running from ankle to foot to leak and be tender. Dr. Hippie didn't seem concerned, though; just said it was a normal part of the process. If that's the worst I have to cope with, I can deal.

Speaking of which, I wonder if anyone's done a study comparing the comfort levels of women who a) got pregnant by accident, b) got pregnant on purpose but did so relatively easily, and c) had to struggle with infertility to get pregnant. I feel like what I went through to get here makes me more appreciative of the experience and less likely to complain about minor problems. And probably also more likely to take better care of myself, and therefore head off some of the problems that usually arise. Just a theory.

previous - next