31 week Appointment

This morning, I had my 31 week check-up with Doc.

As usual, the nurse called me back for a urine sample, weigh-in and blood pressure check. Again, everything was normal so we listened for Baby Girl's heartbeat.

This wasn't the nurse that usually sees me, so she asked me up front where the regular nurse usually finds the heartbeat. I told her on my right side, pretty much parallel to my navel.

She lathered me up with the ultrasound gel and started her search but couldn't find anything. New Nurse moved a little lower and more towards the center of my belly, right under my no-longer-an-inny belly button and there it was, beating strong and healthy. She guessed, and Doc later confirmed, that Baby Girl has shifted to a "vertex" position, or head-down position, and is now centered in preparation for birth. Way to go, Baby Girl!

When Doc came in, he immediately congratulated me on the results of my glucose test. He said my bloodwork was "super" and that there is no need for additional tests--everything was excellent. My pancreas rocks!

Instead of proceeding with his usual question of "so what has changed since we last met?" Doc gave me some prompts. I guess he was sick of my "I got nothing" report and told me that he's specifically looking for 3 things:
1. Have I had any bleeding?
2. Am I still feeling the baby move regularly everyday?
3. Am I experiencing any Braxton-Hicks contractions?

Answers:
1. Nope.
2. Yes, definitely. Baby Girl is up and at 'em around 6:15am and I feel her most strongly after I've eaten.
3. I don't know if I've had any Braxton-Hicks but I have had a couple cramps. Mostly when I'm exercising. It feels like a cramp you'd get while running, just lower. Nothing to get excited about.

Doc was pleased with all my news. His only comment was that if I'm confused as to whether or not I'm feeling contractions then he knows I'm not. He is looking for strong, rapid and frequent contractions. Clearly not my case.

With that, Doc took out his measuring tape and proceeded to record the height of the fundus. 32 cm... again a little ahead of schedule... but looking good. He felt all over my bump, and that's when he told me he could feel the head in the downward position. And, there was something sharp over on my right side-- he guessed a leg or foot that was responsible for all the jabs I'd been feeling in that area. Doc said the baby seems to be developing well, and that I should be prepared for a growth spurt. I should expect to gain about 1lb a week from here on out.

Me: "How much of that 1lb is going to the baby because I don't have anywhere to put 8 extra lbs. As it is, I'm developing this disgusting armpit fat and no matter how many bicep curls and tricep extensions I do, it's not going away. And I can't exactly pass that off as swelling."
Doc: "You're so funny! Well, typically, about a half pound goes to the baby, and the other builds up your fat storage."
Me: "Fat storage? That's lovely."
Doc: "Well, it's just Mother Nature's way of making sure that if you were in dire circumstances and couldn't get food, that the baby could survive off of your stored nutrients."
Me: "That makes sense, I guess. Maybe that extra weight will go to my boobs. Is there anyway I can designate a location? Just kidding."

Time for Q & A.

Me: "The only question I've got for you Doc is in regards to sunbathing. I'm not sure if you noticed when you were measuring me, but I've been working on my fundus tan."
Doc: "Fundus tan?"
Me: "Yeah, you know-- belly tan. I figure my belly is still a lot smaller than some of the men at my pool, so if they're going to show off their bumps, then I'm showing off mine."
Doc (laughing): "That's so true!"
Me: "So my question is, do I have to worry about too much sun exposure? Will it affect the baby?"
Doc: "Nope, the baby is fine. I would advise you to take care of your belly just as you would the rest of your skin and use at least 15 SPF, though."

Doc told me he'd like to see me again in 3 weeks. And then after that, I'll probably start going every week! I can't believe how time has flown by!