At 33 weeks Claire is the size of a durian fruit, I didn't even attempt to find one of these at the market haha I hear they are thorny and smell really bad. I am glad the only thing she has in common with it is her weight and length. Per thebump.com she weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And she may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing. Who knows how accurate this is I think most of this will be a surprise that we find out when she is born. The midwives are checking on me every two weeks now and pretty soon it will be weekly. I am still really happy with our decision, I haven't updated much about the midwife visits because there is not too much to update you with. Appointments are going well and they are quick, I do regular doctor visit items - check my weight, check my blood pressure and then the baby checks begin. They use the doppler to hear her little heartbeat, which sounds strong and gets quicker when she hears us talking, I really love this part of the visit. They then pull out the trusty measuring tape and so far so good, I am measuring right on track and she seems to already be head down. Fingers crossed that she doesn't want to do an crazy dance moves in there and just stays head down.
Any "fears" that I might have going into labor have nothing to do with labor itself, they have to do with the babies positioning, there would only be 4 reasons why I would not be able to have my baby in the setting I have chosen, those would be a transverse position means a sideways position. The baby has her head to one of her mother’s sides and the bottom across her abdomen at her other side. If this was the case I would start doing the spinning babies exercises regularly. Same with a baby in breech position, which the baby exits the pelvis with the buttocks or feet first as opposed to the normal head-first display. Most doctors and midwifes in the US will not attempt to deliver a baby that is in breech naturally, I have been reading that it is very common in other places if the bum is going to be first but that is not the case in California and I would need to start becoming ready for a csec if our natural methods of getting Claire to move did not work. The last two reasons would be if she was earlier than 37 weeks or got to 42 weeks [or later]. The midwife would still accompany me to the hospital in these cases so that is a nice thing that I remind myself of if something like what I listed above was to happen. I think she will be right on time if not a few days early since she wants to party at the Hagaman/Brenes wedding haha. A lot of people ask me what happens if I start to labor at the birth center but then I HAVE TO HAVE medicine or a risk appears and I need to be transferred to a hospital, let me ease your mind. There is a back up plan with a back up doctor who would take care of us in case of emergency [and an emergency does not include me deciding to get medicine, I consider that not an option] but their transfer rate as of last year was only 7 which is 9.8% of all mothers that they had admitted for labor. I am sure that Claire and I will be healthy and normal and I need to do a few more fear releases to get over my worry about her positions and birthing time. Everything will work out.
We also took our maternity photos with Evan last weekend, we went to the El Dorado Nature Center and trecked through lots of dirt and it was really fun. I am looking forward to cherishing these pictures of this exciting time, I sometimes still cannot wrap my head around what Ryan and I are embarking on.
Last night we had dinner with Ryan's Gazette sports family and we got to see Shar & Mike - Shar is now 38.5 weeks pregnant and I am so excited to see how it all goes for them! Plus, they are not sharing the babies name until birth and as I am sure you can guess - I am dying to know! I am shocked when I see pregnant bellies can still get bigger, mine seems huge! But I guess we still have a lot more growing to do.
Last night we had chicken piccata and I think you are in love with pasta. Yes, the entire pregnancy you have wanted carbs but the amount of energy you displayed after that dinner was pretty amazing. I love feeling you get crazy in there. This morning I have been drinking lemon water and I think that must be another favorite of yours. I am doing it for the rumors I have heard that it helps with my pregnancy mask but if you like it then its a win win little girl. You and I watched tv last night until about 2am and then crashed hard, thank you for still letting me sleep, I hear I should be trying to catch up on it now and you have been pretty wonderful about that and I am very very grateful. Your daddy and I are making strides in the nursery still, you are so loved that we have lots of organization to do and I am excited to start dressing you up in all of your little outfits. What do you think you want to wear home from the birth center? Something adorable or something witty? Maybe I will pack both and we can see what you lean towards. Your dad and I are so excited to welcome you into our lives, thank you for making us parents and for showing us this new level of love, you are already the best
xo mommy