I can feel I’m getting to the business end of this pregnancy.
I can actually feel which parts of the baby are moving and people other than my husband are noticing the ripples across my belly as the little one changes position.
Right now, her head is pushing outwards just to the left of my belly button.
Hubby is quite enjoying it now, as he can see real evidence of his child, other than my disappearing waistline, and feels little kicks, head butts and punches (or high fives as he calls them) every time he puts his hand on my belly.
I still have nine weeks to go, but people are expressing surprise that it’s really that long.
Our daughter might grace us with an early arrival and she might not, but I think I’d better start making sure I have everything I need for the baby - if only so I don’t have to do it all when I’m even bigger.
We talked about pain relief last week at antenatal class and it was really good to hear some of the facts.
My plan is to start with a tens machine and work my way up as I need to.
A tens machine has four patches that you stick to your back and when contractions happen, you turn up a little electrical impulse that sends pain messages to the brain and gets it to release more endorphins (correct me if I’m wrong here).
Those who have had joint injuries treated by a physiotherapist may have experienced them, as they also stimulate nerve function.
I’ve had one on my knee before, but I didn’t know they were the same thing.
I was also surprised to learn that the mother of them all - the epidural - has less effect on the baby than pethidine.
Tonight the physiotherapist and lactation consultant are coming to the lesson.
Hopefully the physio (or someone, I don’t care who) can give me some tips on managing my huge belly when I’m trying to sleep.
I’m getting valuable inside knowledge as to what’s on TV at 1am – SpyForce, for example, a show starring a very young Jack Thompson about spies in WWII.
As much as I admire the early work of an Australian screen legend (even if it’s in a series that thinks it’s plausible to hold a meeting of allied military chiefs in a North Sydney beach house) I’d prefer to get some sleep while I still can.