I had my first appointment at the Birth Center this week and it was a fantastic experience! The midwives are so knowledgable, but they're also patient and reassuring. They really take the time to make sure you're feeling comforted...body, mind, and spirit. My first official weigh-in since 8 weeks confirms that I've gained 10 lbs. so far!!!! This seemed like a lot to me, but the midwife said this was right where they wanted me to be. My uterus measured in just right as well...right at 16cm (although the midwife said I looked like I was showing like an 18-weeker). She said there's just nowhere in my petite torso for my uterus to go, so it has just pushed everything straight up and straight out! The absolute highlight of the visit was being able to listen to our little bambino's hearbeat with a Doppler. It made this perfect "woosh...woosh...woosh" sound at a rate of 146 bpm. As soon as I heard it, this huge smile spread across my face and when the midwife saw it she put the Doppler back on my belly and let me listen a little bit longer. I could have listened to that sound all day long. It's just so amazing to think that there's a little tiny person in there with a little tiny beating heart!
The only bad news of the day was that I tested positive for Group B strep. About 20% of women are carriers for Group B strep and I just happen to be one of them. It has no effect on me at all, but it can be dangerous for the baby if he/she contracts it during delivery. It could cause pneumonia or meningitis in the baby after delivery. I've started antibiotics and I'll be tested again at 36 weeks. If I'm positive again, I'll need to be on IV antibiotics during delivery and the baby will have to be monitored afterwards. With antibiotics, the chances of complication are 1 in 4000. I was hoping to be IV-free for labor, but obviously it's pretty important so I don't mind too much.
This week, our little bun is 4 1/2 inches long and weighs 3 1/2 ounces...about the size of an avocado. His/her head is nearly erect and the pattern of hair follicles on his/her head is almost complete, even though there is no hair. This is so amazing to me...it reminds me of that verse that says that God knows the number of hairs on our head. Even now, God knows the exact pattern of hairs on our little baby's scalp!!! That little heart that I was listening to yesterday is now pumping an average of 25 quarts of blood per day...a number that will continue to increase throughout pregnancy. With legs now proportional to the arms, and developing muscles, Baby Frueh is kicking and punching up a storm. I haven't felt any of these kicks or punches yet, but most first-timers don't recognize them until 18-20 weeks. I'm eagerly awaiting those first movements! For now, I just keep replaying that "woosh...woosh...woosh" in my head.
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