33 weeks

Gloria measured 4 pounds, 15 ounces at my 32-week ultrasound.  Holy mother of god.  Though third-tri ultrasounds are not always the most accurate, if this one is correct her estimated birth weight will be over nine pounds.  She’s also “sunny side up,” which means she’s head-down but facing the wrong direction.  According to my doctor, this makes the third trimester more uncomfortable, and increases the possibility of a c-section.  Who knew there was a correct way to face?  Way to go nature, what a dumb idea that was.

Her kidneys are now normal sized without the fluid pockets.  Which is great news.  But they also found polyhydramnios – she has excess fluid around her.  This just means more  monitoring (I go every week now) and more ultrasounds to watch her growth and fluid.  An increased chance of preterm labor and/or c-section.  A greater possibility of increased maternal blood loss after birth.  A higher percentage of placental abruption. 

All of this statistical stuff is thrown at you throughout pregnancy.  They have to tell you all of the gory details because of liability, but all it does is make you worry and it mostly turns out to be nothing.  I’m starting to think that pregnancy is over-monitored, and we’d all be better off with fewer tests and ultrasounds.  It seems that each time I get checked for something, it’s “borderline,” and I have to go in to get rechecked later.  Then at the recheck the original problem has corrected itself but they find some other thing to keep an eye on.  It makes it appear that I’ve had this really tumultuous, complicated pregnancy when the truth is, it’s been fairly normal and uneventful. 

I’m not measuring large from the outside, and there were no congenital defects noted on the ultrasound, so my doctor isn’t worried.  She thinks it’s most likely to be either idiopathic (unknown cause) or from gestational diabetes, since my test results for that were (gasp!) borderline.  She put me on a low-carb, no-sugar diet. 

Regardless of my recent anger at how many foods are loaded with carbs, I am absolutely falling in love with the kicky little thing in my abdomen.  I’ve never felt a particular attraction toward children or babies.  I’m guessing that this sudden affection is similar to how nature prevents animals from eating their young.