That's 15 pounds extra you're looking at - all baby (I wish!). At our appointment today, Nurse Judy measured my baby bump: 25cm. She said that was terrific and to go home and grow a big, fat baby. Nurse Judy, I'm working on it! We also heard the baby's heartbeat, at 140 bpm. He sounded so strong. Instead of breakfast this morning, I was privileged enough to drink a dextrose drink (flat orange Fanta) to test for gestational diabetes. I passed - good thing I studied. The rest of the day my brain didn't work as well, but I made sure to make up for the lost food with a two egg snack, a ham and cheese lunch, and a turkey filled pasta sauce with dinner. Much better!
Last Wednesday, Brad and I started our natural birthing classes with a Bradley method instructor (appropriate name, huh?). We were both rapt, trying to soak up everything we could. Brad and I left feeling a teeny bit more educated. I left to have a restless night of sleep - will I be able to do a natural birth? Will the doctor and nursing staff all support me in the way I need them? Will Brad, my birthing coach, be able to see me in pain, and help me handle it by natural means - for hours - to bring our son into the world? A friend of mine told me I struggled with worry. Wow, wake up call. This is God's child, whom He watches over and protects. And He will protect us during the birth as well. I feel better knowing little Samuel Hill (yes, we picked a name!) is in His able hands.
The excitement of the birth was also upon me last week after we toured the hospital. They took us by the nursery to see the hours-old babies. I just melted in front of that window. There was a newborn boy that looked so at peace - just looking around, checking everything out, waiting, naked, for whatever was coming next for him. He made me think so much of how much joy God has given me through this blessing. And how much joy I will have in the end no matter how difficult.
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