11th November 2008

Two Week Countdown - Dr says Baby is Big!

Now what exactly does that mean - had my two week visit today - where they do non-stress test on Melina, and a rather uncomfortable physical exam.  They test for B-strep I think - and check Melina’s heart rate, if they can get her to move, etc.  Anyway, doc says things look good and we’re two weeks away. 

 The nurse also said I had some things going for me in terms of this c-section versus my last myomectomy surgery two years ago.  She said that my c-sec would be easier the next few days to recover from versus the typical c-sec where women “labor” for 20 hours sometimes and then end up still having the c-section.  I would go straight in, deliver Melina in several minutes - and then they’d sew me back up in about 45 minutes or so.  If all goes well, of course.  While I’d be recovering, I’d also have the adrenaline of recovering with my new daughter as opposed to the distraction and pain in pure recovery time from the last surgery.  It also means that due to tiredness from being with Melina, my recovery time could be longer from that perspective.

 In any event, I’m focusing less on the surgery now and more on the visualization of her being with me, breastfeeding, bonding, and ultimately coming home the day of Thanksgiving. 

Melina's Nursery
Melina’s Nursery; LT at 36 weeks (9 mos)

Can you believe how big my belly is?  Let me tell ya - that is one big tank of a belly - I’ve never been one to emphasize belly weight - I’d be more likely to gain it elsewhere.  But, while I can see swelling and weight gain in my entire body - the tummy where Melina has grown is amazingly hard now as we enter the last two weeks.  Discomfort reigns somedays - and then other days it seems livable.  The doctor says the last couple of weeks are like this - that new discomforts and ailments are not unusual as the blood flow increases throughout the body, and we work hard to “fatten” Melina up for delivery time.  Melina should be about 6 lbs by now, and 19 inches or so, depending on the source.  The doctor doesn’t do an ultrasound to determine that - but in a physical exam today - I guess he could feel her and said, “She’s big!”  So, what does that mean, Doc?

He wasn’t worried - only I am asking that question when I recap it to a friend of mine tonight.  Why did I choose a donor of 6′2″?  Seemed to make a lot of sense when you’re 5′4″ and your family is a little on the short side.  I think the tallest man we have in our family is like 5′9″ maybe.  Women tend to be taller than the men in some cases.  So, I knew I needed to shake up my gene pool - and so I figured get a tall donor, skinny too - well moreso than me - do healthy things right?  ;-)

But as I can no longer bend to do much of anything, as I feel Melina’s hard rock of a body inside of me, I can wonder if she’s going to be long/tall, or right on target for weight, etc.  All I know is that her movement is stronger than ever inside, and her rolling sensations are really uncomfortable as she moves across the tummy line from one side to the next. 

Well, it’s time to watch the late show - I have a meeting I can not forget about tomorrow - as I did last Friday, and a full day of projects tomorrow afternoon.  I pray for a good night’s sleep in continued anticipation for what the next two weeks and beyond bring me/us.

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