Last week I received an e-mail from my care providers at the South Community Birth Program asking if I would be interested in participating in the Hands-On Maternity Night at the UBC Medical Student Building. The evening is an opportunity for Med, Nursing, and Midwifery students (most first or second year) to gain hands-on experience for caring for pregnant women. I didn't know what to expect, but seeing as how I do not want any students in L&D with me, I figured this would be a good way of volunteering my belly while helping students learn. What a great event!

Because there were only three pregnant women (there was supposed to be six), we ended up being examined by about nine groups of six students throughout the evening. Basically, I lay on the table while the care provider explained how women who participate in the SCBP are fully involved in their own charting by measuring our own weight, recording our own blood pressure, and testing our urine. She then demonstrated how to calculate fundal height, how to use the Doppler to listen for the baby's heartbeat, and how to palpate the belly (we call them "belly checks") to figure out the position of the baby.

Having almost 50 pairs of hands on my belly was not as horrible as it sounds! All the students were genuinely grateful and so polite. For many of them, it was the first time they had the opportunity to actually palpate a tiny bum in a woman's stomach or see a little foot roll across a stomach. The students had many questions, but they mostly wanted to know what it feels like to have a tiny body in one's stomach and whether it hurt when they touched me! I reassured them that I would definitely make them aware if they were hurting me.

By the end of the evening, I learned that the baby has dropped into my pelvis, has a perfect, healthy heartbeat, and is very tolerant of pokes and prods!

To top it all off, we were to be rewarded with a $100 honourarium for volunteering. However, because only three of us participated, we each received $200 with the instruction to only use the money for something for ourselves, no baby stuff!

"You're too pretty to be having a boy."

I just got a lecture from one of the cleaning staff at the hospital in the bathroom about how I'm having a girl. "You look too good. Your belly is too beautiful. It's a girl." As I left, the other women in the bathroom were debating whether it was a boy or girl.

I know some pregnant women dislike the constant discussion about what they're having, having strangers come up and touch their belly, being told they're too big/small/heavy/whatever. I don't mind it. I find that people are so much more likely to start a conversation with me, although it's always about me as a pregnant woman rather than me as me. That's okay. It's exciting for everyone! However, last week one man asked if I was having one big boy or twins. I replied politely, "We don't know, but whatever it is, it's coming soon, and we're pretty excited."

Yeeshers.

Six weeks

Give or take. My only complaint is the swelling. My left foot has no ankle, and I had to use lots of soap and dental floss to get my wedding rings off (thanks, mum!). My new sleeping partner is a collection of five pillows, and the baby is moving more than ever, especially when s/he hears Adam.

I feel like I have a million and one things to do before this new person arrives, but I'm taking it all in stride, and we're trying to enjoy the quietness of the next few weeks, looking forward to the change in weather (crisp air means sweaters and tea!!).

On Saturday, I had the opportunity for a day to myself, which I love. After a painless and quick trip to the dentist, I had a good look around the library, managed to score an excellent deal on nursing bras at 65% off, found some peppermint foot soak, bought some some organic cotton leggings for big mamas, and shopped around Sephora. Ah, the simple things!

Thankfully, Paul and I were able to meet up for lunch, where he snapped this photo:

33 Down.

Excuse the lack of photos, our camera has finally bit the dust.

Everything is going along tickity-boo, lots of movement from this baby. S/he really likes it when daddy rubs his/her little foot and responds with a healthy kick. I am still feeling great but am so anxious to meet this little person!

I am currently wrestling with the idea of leaving one week earlier than planned for my maternity leave. I am due October 22 and decided my last day would be October 16, but as the date grows nearer, I am feeling selfish and would love a week or two at home to visit the library, sleep late, do crossword puzzles, cook magnificent dinners, listen to the CBC, and generally revel in my mummyness before the littlest Simpkins appears. I may decide October 9 is my last day, and I feel so guilty! I have never used EI in my life, and this one week difference is really causing me to do some serious soul-searching. Silly, I know! Thoughts?

I'm A Baby

No Fuss

No fancy photo this week! The weekend is here and I just want to curl up with my new book.