Week 20

Met with my midwife, Gaelyn, this week. All results from the ultrasound appeared normal and I am a B+ blood type. I have a slightly above average amount of amniotic fluid, but I am told that its still perfectly normal. Gaelyn said that all growth with our baby has been like clockwork and that its development is the same as every baby out there that is normal and healthy. From this point on, no two babies are the same. For instance, although the fundal height of my baby is as it should be, 20 cms (the measurement from pubic bone to top of uterus), the top rests at my ribcage rather than navel like alot of babies. I do have a rather short trunk...but I am still in awe as to how high it is. Also, the belly is sticking out more and I have finally gained weight. The kicking and rolling and whatever else is going on inside the belly is as strong as ever. Last night I laid on my bed for a few minutes after work and stared at my belly and all of the sudden it was as if there was some kind of party down there, I could actually see my belly rippling and protruding. It was amazing. Then I realized I had just sucked on three toffee candies and I am sure it was a sugar rush to 'Guido'. Jordan missed the party as he was in the shower. Next time.

My weight gain, I am sure, was helped along with two turkey dinners for Thanksgiving. First one at my father in laws (Jerry) house. Huge scrumptius turkey and tons of food with enough room for his wife's (Jill) fresh pumpkin pie (one piece for me, one for Guido). It was a wonderful feast in the mid afternoon autumn sunlight with lots of family to celebrate with. Afterwards the guys checked out Jerry's new crossbow and did some target practice. The deer have been all over our gardens this summer and eaten nearly everything they can get to!
Dinner number two was at my mother in laws house (Janet) where we enjoyed more turkey with all the delicious dishes and some pumpkin pie and, of course, the infamous cheesecake 101 bites yum yum yum. Am I a totally spoiled pregnant lady or what? Oh, and we are still eating turkey!

Today I am not quite as tired as I had been for the past couple of weeks. Although I haven't been to the gym or done any yoga in a week, I am still going on alot of walks. This incredible stretch of sunshine will be gone for the weekend, and I think that the rains are just around the corner. Jill and I took the dogs to the spit this morning and it felt really nice to be in the cool crisp sunshine. The walk goes so quickly when you talk the entire time - I could have walked for hours! It was nice.

Everytime I visit Gaelyn, I borrow several books from the clinic library. I will list a couple of them on here soon which I thought were really good. I was disappointed in one though. I grabbed Naomi Wolfe's 'Misconception', thinking that it would be stimulating like her other books, including 'The Beauty Myth'. It was stimulating, but not in the way I had anticipated. ALthough I have not read it from cover to cover, I started at the beginning and then read quickly through a few chapters. I found it very negative and almost pathetic. She sounded like such a victim in (so far) what I have read through her prenancy and the women she interviewed. All these women with terrible experiences and c-sections etc... No real empowerment. I could not relate to this book in the least, its totally foreign. I have felt completely knowledgable and in control of all decisions within this pregnancy. Information is everywhere and it comes from many directions. Its up to me, my baby and Jordan. Ultimately me and baby, but Jordan plays a very big role in the decdision making.

Our bodies were made to have babies. We just need to make sure our bodies are properly tuned up and taken care of. We have such power within our bodies. When something abnormal occurs, or there is a serious emergency, the doctors and specialists are needed. These people aren't needed for a natural function. I know there is pain but I also know that our minds are strong enough to counter that pain and deal with it. Its so simple, its all about being in touch with all aspects of your self.

Maybe I will look through the book a little more, but I don't think I will be able to relate as I did as an adolescent to Wolfe's book, 'The Beauty Myth'. Which was such a different time in my life when I felt so intensely the growing pains of my adult emergence.