The Home Stretch

9/14/09

9 months pregnant


Whew! With my ever-expanding belly now resting comfortably on my thighs, I am eagerily awaiting my little girl's arrival into the world. Since I'm now 36 weeks pregnant, I have had to go to see my obstetrician, Dr. Rothbart twice a week for 2-part appointments. The first part, I have to do what's called a "stress test". I don't have to run on a treadmill or anything (God forbid). I just lie down and they hook me up to a heart monitor to make sure my daughter's heart is nice and strong and her movement is good. My husband plays music from his IPhone like the Beatles, Queen and Fleetwood Mac and sure enough, Mia kicks and turns so it makes me, a big music-lover happy to know she has good taste. My doctor is thrilled when he sees the heart monitor readings with lots of peaks and valleys and so are Mia's parents. The only uncomfortable thing about this test is the lying down part. It seems that Mia has made my bladder a pillow and whenever I lie on my back, the urge to pee is as strong as ever. I try very hard to concentrate on anything other than need to relieve myself during the 30 minute test but sometimes it's very hard. The nurse told me that she's even seen women relieve themselves right on the table. That hasn't been me thankfully but I see how easy it can be.

The second part of my appointment is an ultrasound. I've been waiting for this! The other day we saw Mia's face very clearly for the first time in a while. She has enormous cheeks and beautiful lips even though she appeared to be rather squished. I would swear she was waiving at me with her tiny hand. I just can't wait to squeeze her cheeks! Technology is really amazing. I wonder what it's going to be like when Mia is old enough to read this blog?

I feel like my doctor's office is a home away from home. Everyone is so familiar. I even use the refrigerator to store my homemade lunch in while I'm there. I wonder if this is how everyone feels towards the end.

Even though I'm sweating profusley as I write this, I found some unwanted stretch-marks, my hands itch, I don't have ankles but cankles, I haven't been able to eat anything sweet in months, my stomach is so large and low that it feels like I'm carrying a bowling ball between my legs, I can't sleep, my under-arms are discolored, I drool, my right eye tears up and I've gained...gulp 65 pounds (is it possible to gain weight in your nose), I don't think there is anything more wonderful than feeling my daughter move and knowing that in less than 4 weeks, she will be in my arms falling asleep to the rock & roll lullaby CDs my good friend Jodi gave us. As hard as it's been, the miracle of pregnancy is really just that a true miracle...