Growing Pains
The start of the last trimester is marked by noticeable growth and discomfort. The first day of the seventh month my backaches started, the first week of the seventh month and I noticed my belly not just getting bigger but getting bigger faster. Massages are so soothing during this period, and the best person in the world to give them is your husband. Not only does it relax you but brings you closer in what is a difficult time. You can ask your husband for a massage as often as you wish in this time and he will be only too delighted to oblige.
Examining my bulging belly I could clearly see the skin stretching, the veins under the surface and most distressingly a dark line running vertically from my navel down – not very nice. Sometimes at night, my belly would itch from the stretching… a warning to apply rich cream to this area on a regular basis!
But the growing tummy and caring way you start to carry yourself lead to compliments from and conversations with strangers – always accompanied by glances of wonder. This with the fun of disturbing and serious conversation or business meeting with a giggle as you feel that little elbow poking of foot kicking whilst you baby matures inside you more than compensates for the initial aches and pains of the third trimester.
Decisions and discomfort
During my eight month examination, our Doctor warned us that the baby was in the breech position. The Doctor warned us that if she (we knew our baby was a girl!) did not engage then we should consider manually moving the baby – from the outside! After discussions with my husband and his brother who is a pediatrician we decided not to force her to turn and to have a cesarean section birth. I had really wanted a natural birth but did not want to risk anything by shifting the baby.
I am not giant – my belly is huge and I actually am finding it difficult to move around easily. Some days my legs and feet are swollen …. And the massages from my husband are now a daily routine (and often more). As the baby gets stronger her kicks can actually be painful – and you can see her feet as she kicks! She is now so big that I can feel her hiccup – which can happen several times per day, and on occasion in the middle of the night startling me awake.
Due Day
The ninth month is exciting, scary and on a daily routine not super good. Due to my size I battle to sleep at night – just cannot get comfortable, I can hardly move during my waking hours and my feet feel permanently swollen. To add to my own problems everyone keeps telling you how huge you have become!
My Doctor has warned me to check my diet – whilst I might be eating for two, just doubling the junk food is not what is best for either me or my baby. So, its away from the ice-cream stores and candy shelves from now on.
In the final weeks leading to my due date – which we have set as New Year’s Day – I find my sleep not only disturbed form the incessant movement inside me but I am staying awake worrying about delivery. I am scared of the surgery, I don’t know what is going to happen all I know is that I will undergo a C-section…. And no amount of reading or talking helps reduce the fear.
New Years Day, we left for the hospital early in the morning. I am terrified but try to be strong – through the fear and worry there is a thrill running through me that today, today my baby will be born. The surgery is booked for 11am – my husband, the Doctors and nurses crowd around – all working all trying to calm me. I am awake but cannot see what is happening I feel some pulling and pushing but no pain what is going on. Shortly after 11.25am my Doctor introduces my baby Kate to me. This is the first time I see her and hold her – not a vague ultrasound picture.
She is pale but so beautiful. I thank God for giving me this beautiful baby, my own baby. We are now a family, and the story of our family is the start of a new phase from now.
