Okay, Just So You Know

Went to the obgyn today and all is looking good.

I didn't want to know how much weight I've gained, thanks but no thanks, so I looked the other way while the nurse checked. And I've lost 2 pounds! Wow. Unbelievable. I'm feeling so gigantic. And last night we had a late diner dinner of Boca burgers, salads, and fries.

My blood pressure remains a low 110/60. My swollen feet are not a worry, I just need to drink (even) more water. I've been feeling the Braxton Hicks tightening in my uterus for several days now -- especially under the full moon! -- but they really do come and go. So I'm not as freaked out about them as I was at first.

And then I asked Dr. Weihs to see if she could tell which position my baby was in. After a moment of palpation, she said she thought his head was down, with his shoulder somewhere near the top of my pubic bone -- if there's a rhythmic pulsing there from time to time, and there is, it's usually hiccups and that is usually the shoulder -- plus where she felt the bulge of his butt and the location of his kicks...his back is facing my front, which is what I was hoping for.

I can feel his toes tickling my ribs. A couple of times this has made me cry out in shock. It's just such a strange feeling, and happens so unexpectedly.

Of course babies change positions constantly, even during labor.

Baby moves around a LOT, ya'll. I'm counting his kicks. He is supposed to move 10 times within 2 hours, which I am supposed to check on at least once a day. I usually do this first thing in the morning, and baby likes to sleep first thing in the morning, so I drink a lot of cold water and start jostling him around.


We'll get another detailed ultrasound at 36 weeks to see that he's developing at a blessed rate, and have some tests done.

We had a great, lengthy meeting with our doula last night about birth preferences and creating our birth plan.

Our doc is so flexible and experienced, we feel totally confident that our wishes will be honored.

This is another great thing about being a 43-year old first time mom; I know for a fact that nobody's opinion about what we should do during labor and delivery is going to hurt my feelings if I disagree with it. I also know that I am no pushover.

I have one more thing to say...that I honestly have never longed to be older or younger than the age I am, no matter what age I am. I saw "Stardust" with my BFF Donna the other night, and while I thought it was lovely and escapist, I am really sick and tired of seeing older women portrayed as old ugly witches, longing to be young and beautiful again, and willing to go to any length to do so. I have never felt that way in my life.

I've noticed, sure, that my status as a babe diminished once I hit 25, but I've never longed to be anything other than what I am. Sometimes I am shocked when I see a middle-aged woman in the mirror and realize that it's ME, but I also know that I feel more centered, fulfilled, complete, sexy, all those things, than I ever did before.

I'd love to see women unite on this issue someday. And meanwhile, I still love watching "Rock of Love with Bret Michaels."