Another great doctor visit :-)

We had our weekly dr. visit and second NST this past Wednesday. Not too much new to report on the baby front. I've stopped drinking that soda and eating those silly peeps...so my weight is back down and my feet aren't swelling quite as much. My blood pressure is creeping upward, but not high enough to require meds or permanent bed rest. Otherwise, my vitals are great. The baby is doing well from what they can tell from the outside :-o

Our second NST went similar to the first. Our little guy just doesn't perform on demand! He definitely wants his nap time between 8-10 in the morning. (Which is precisely when I have time free at work to schedule these appointments.) The nurses have this funny gizmo that vibrates the outside of my belly...supposedly it stimulates the baby and wakes him up to get him moving. Nope. Our son seems to be a sound sleeper like his mom; he comfortably ignored the vibrations, though it made me laugh my head off because it tickled AND looked funny to see my belly shaking! In the end, this meant I was "plugged-in" for a longer time (about 45min) until he moved several times on his own.

While waiting for the movements, we got to ask the doc some questions about the upcoming birth. She also thinks she might induce a bit early, and definitely not let me run later than 40 weeks. We haggled a bit as to when I should leave work and go on rest. She told me if I decide to violate the bed rest with teaching a class or two, just don't tell her about it :-) Right now, I've tentatively decided to work through the end of October...and maybe just teach my Botany class in November. Mostly because I don't know if the other faculty here can do it/or feel confident they can teach about plants. But, like all else, we'll play it by ear!

All in all, the doc says I need to start taking things easier and trying to get off my feet more. I'm about ready to agree. There are some nights I know I feel little feet pushing against my diaphragm and making me short of breath!

Month 8 = Honeydew!

I can see the finish line! I'm in the home-stretch now with a little under 7 weeks to go until I'm at full term of 40 weeks. If the baby feels like being born any time now, he has an pretty great chance of survival. Hmmm...Maybe I should put up a calendar and take bets as to when he's leaving the womb :-)

Here's what's happening this month with baby growth: Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.