More Maternity Musings: Last Trimester!?

[mudblood428]

Dear LJverse,

We joke that a writer's job is defined by navel contemplation. Hilariously, my navel is now a constant source of distraction from writing. These days there is a teeny something (Foot? Hand?) under it that kicks and punches at it all the time. Ironically, this bellybutton-tastic activity has sort of derailed my writing impulses.

Comments

[elka78]

Kuddos for going with midwife! My first one was a typical Ob/Gyn induction at 1 week overdue. Luckily, we didn't get to c-section, but I have a huge scar elsewhere to show for it... my second and third were born naturally with a midwife in a hospital. I realized that I wouldn't be comfortable being at home, and this turned out to be just perfect!
The leg cramps - did you try lifting your legs up? I had been sleeping with a huge sofa pillow under my feet for most of my pregnancies - it really does help. Also, I hear walking helps, even if it is counterintuitive.

Boo for nasty comments - I am forever surprised people don't have tact. I am sure you look wonderful :)

[mudblood428]

Thanks for the support. :) To be honest, whenever I mention we're having our birth attended by midwives, people's eyebrows tend to raise in judgement over it - so it's awesome to hear that you've experienced it yourself!

As for the leg cramps, elevating my legs up has unfortunately not helped, although my body pillow has done wonders for my achy hips! The walking is definitely effective (but it'd be great not to have to spring out of bed and out of sleep mode, you know?). Just have to chalk it up to being part of the experience, I guess!

[cauldroncakebkr]

I love you. And I love to see how you see the world and other things through your writing. Enjoy this magical time. It won't last nearly long enough. Years from now when he is graduating from high school (yes that would be my first born status), you will be remembering every twitch and hiccup fondly and wishing you had it all to live over again.

[mudblood428]

Thanks so much, Margie (the feeling is mutual!). I really wish there was more time and energy to write more on the topic, for all the reasons you mentioned. I cannot BELIEVE Chris is graduating from high school!!! When did THAT happen?!? Does he know what he wants to do next?

Holy moly. I will say that's one of the things that, when I stop to think about it, makes my eyes water. The fact that the time will fly by and my baby will no longer be a baby. *sigh* :)

[mariahgem]

Into the home stretch! Haha! I love that you say he loves music! My mom always told me this one newscaster's voice made me kick like CRAZY. And years later I heard the guy and laughed unprovoked. My mom said she'd always thought I hated him, but I told her, hearing him now, my first reaction was that he had a hilarious, fun voice and I couldn't help laughing! XD

And forget those tactless idiots who talk about your size! You have a wonderful baby in there! You're gorgeous! They only wish they were that lucky!! XD

[mudblood428]

Ha! I love that story! I do think the baby recognizes Mike's voice as well - we were sitting on the couch the other day, and as soon as he put his hand on my belly and started talking, the baby kicked so hard I nearly doubled over. It was like he was trying to high-five him from the inside!

And thanks for the supportive comments. It's amazing what a psychological trip this has been. I had imagined myself much more confident and resistant to that kind of stuff before, but I wonder if the hormonal changes you experience during pregnancy are intended to lay bare your soul in more ways than one!

[aggiebell90]

Oh, yeah. The comments. I have posts and posts and more posts about the rude comments I got while pregnant (usually from the old biddies older women in the choir). There was one point where someone told in February me that there was "no way that baby is due in the middle of May." I promptly told her that the condom broke on August 23 and to do the math. You have to understand that me saying something like that was so totally out of character for me, but by that time I'd had it with the rude comments (why, yes, I DO know what causes that, thanks! Yes, we're absolutely positive it isn't triplets!) that it just popped out. And, hey, they left me alone after that, so it was worth the embarrassment. :D

I love your observations. It's been a while for me (since my youngest baby is 6 now), but this all rings very true. I think you should write an updated version of a pregnancy book, with all the Things They Don't Tell You. *nods* There's all sorts of things that they just leave out of those books!

[mudblood428]

You're right about the phenomenon of older women having the nastiest comments. Luckily, for every crotchety matriarch who has felt it her duty to comment on my future bodily demise, I've had another kind, warm comment from an older woman as well. Good for you for sticking up for yourself!

Thanks for participating in these observations. Just writing about this on LJ has solidified the impression that everyone's got some great stories - I think it'd be great to compile more testimonials than just my own. :)

[geezer_also]

Thanks for this!

"Dude... my innie is turning into an outie! Ewwwwwwww..." I had to LOL, remembering my wife's response to that situation (and I confess I teased her about it...but only once)
One thing to remember, babies (fortunately) are much more pliable than a watermelon ;-)

[mudblood428]

Hehehe... did you only tease her once because she thwapped you? lol

Seriously though, I'm starting to panic about the immediate future of my belly button. Like, it's disappearing. o_O

And thank goodness babies are more pliable than watermelons. I will say, however, that my watermelon!child appears to be much stronger and has turned my insides into a dance floor. Which is as cool as it is startling! :)