33 Week Appointment and Another Baby Class

Yesterday afternoon was our 33-week appointment.  Her heartbeat was 132-136, which was lower than the normal 144 but Doctor said that was just fine.  He felt me ankles and calves and measured my uterus.  Everything looked great.  I did tell him about my lower back/rib pain which he said was stress/muscular/intra-skeletal induced.  He suggested I buy a maternity "belt" that helps suppor the uterus weight.  Since I have such a short torso I carry all my baby weight in front of my hips which causes the stress.  He also mentioned that we could look into cutting back my hours and that sort of thing.  I reminded him the situation with sick days vs 6 weeks worth of maternity leave and how that really isn't an option I'm willing to consider yet.  He then just repeated himself and raised his eyebrows.  "10-4 good buddy.  I hear ya loud and clear." 

Today I made a noble (in my opinion) effort to stay off my feet when I didn't need to be on them.  It is a VERY hard habit to break in the classroom.  It almost makes you feel .... inadequate maybe?  Inadequate is maybe too strong of a word but the closest I can came up with right now.  It just feels awkward.

Also today, Jim and I attended the We've Got Your Back! Epidural/Intrathecal Class from 7-8:30.  Before our class we met with our Birthing Companion.  These are students of Pam Hood who is basically an prenatal/breast feeding walking well of information.  She is truly an amazing person.  Anyways. Lindsay is a student and will be with us through the whole thing.  She is really really nice and wants to go into OB when she graduates.  She gave us a cute little yellow duck blanket!  This first meeting was just an introduction.  We meet 3 times before the birth and than once afterwards and of course she is there during the birth.

The class was very informative.  They had Dr. Price who routinely gives epidurals and those sorts of things.  I really enjoy getting all of the information so that I have a solid understanding of what is happening.  It is more than knowing what to expect but just a general calmness when I can completely understand the process of something.

Me Update:
I could tell that my feet were a little swollen at the end of the day.  My sock line takes a little while (ok a long while) to go away in the evenings.  I didn't realize until this evening how swollen they have been getting though.  Usually when I look at my feet they are on the ottoman in front of the couch or the foot rest on the chair, but today I looked down when I was in the shower. Holy Moly!  When you put that weight on them they tend to spread out a little....ok more than a little. 
Last night JM saw my feet and decided to give them a little TLC.  I had no idea how much better that would make them feel!  I could easily become addicted to that.....
Other than that, I'm really feeling great!  I do enjoy being pregnant and I've only had one day that I really just didn't feel comfortable and kind of "twitched" all day trying to find a comfortable way to sit/stand.  Baby Samantha is now making full motions.  It's so neat to be able to feel and arm/leg through my stomach.  I can definitely tell the difference between jabs of hands/feet and just contact with a leg/arm.  I love watching my stomach move around as it's being pushed on from the inside.  Another thing I could easily become addicted too..... stomach watching (my own of course).

Until next time ----- stay warm!