Turning, Kicking

I'm pretty certain that Shrimpie is spending the majority of their time head down now. It's making me happy and agitated all att the same time.

First, obviously, I'm relieved that this baby is trending down. I can feel that big old butt and thigh humping up at the top of my belly. I can feel most of the kicking in the upper right quadrant of my belly (where the feet would be). I'm feeling more pressure in the lower part of my uterus, too, making me think somebody's head is taking up residence down there.

In fact, that head is definitely floating down to engagement because I noticed all day and all night, yesterday, that every time I got up to go pee, whether my bladder was "full" or not, I tiny drip or squirt escaped as I started walking. I'm very familiar with this late pregnancy quasi-incontinence. It happened with Kieran in the last few weeks when he was born and he was head down practically from conception!

I'm a bit agitated because I still have to wait another darned week to go for that ultrasound. The whole possibility of a home birth rests on that ultrasound. I want to call the midwife and tell her "nanny nanny poo poo! Baby is vertex so get your bootie over here for a home assessment!" but I won't. She's a busy woman and I don't have any problems.

But, I want to talk to her. I want to ask: am I still getting a chance at a home birth if me and baby stay well? Because that's what I want. That's what I've been working towards and I'd like to be given the chance to try.

I've talked with a few of my peers about the situation; my dear friend and doula and my radio partner (also a friend and doula), and I've talked with some of my family but ultimately I have to talk to the midwife. Only she knows what's in the back of her mind, though we can all make more or less educated guesses about what course things will take.

So, yeah, even with the great and wonderful head down news, I'm on edge a little, waiting for next week to happen so I can see what is really going on and readjust my plans and expectations accordingly.

And the kicking? Oh lordy!

As the baby gets bigger and the uterus just can't stretch enough to keep up with the growth, baby has less room to move around. So, the movements start to slow up a bit. Not a lot of fast jabs with the feet and hands anymore. Now it feels more like baby is stretching out a lot. Well, that and having minor spasms and hiccups.

But, when they do kick out fast and hard, it tends to be really hard. I mean, baby is pretty much full grown now. It's 35 weeks. If I happened to go into labour now, an OB or midwife would not be trying to stop the labour. The baby wouldn't be exactly a preemie, more what they call "early" because they haven't had another 2-4 weeks to lard themselves up for the rigors of breathing in an air world, eating all of their nutrition by mouth and regulating their own temperatures: all of these things require an enourmous amount of energy on the part of the new baby and the earlier one is born, the less energy baby has to get through the day surviving in the big world.

But, their bones are full sized and starting to, if not harden, at least toughen up. Their muscles are all formed and they're working on toning them up a little before birth. So, those legs can deliver a powerful blow when they get the gumption and room to let one fly.

Just like on Saturday evening. Shrimpie was lying on my left side, head down, legs with lots of room to stretch out toward my right side. I was at my mums putting something onthe dining table when I stumbled. My mum was about to scold Kieran for hurting me when I told her the baby kicked me. A few seconds later, Shrimpie did it again! And again, I stumbled as if I might fall over.

I didn't fall over, but I did need to sit down and breathe deeply and slowly for a little while. Shrimpie had just kicked me so hard, my vision dimmed and I got light-headed! Can you imagine?! This little thing who could very easily fit into the palms of two hands kicked mommy so hard she almost passed out!

Kids!

On the knitting front, I started the second lace rib sock that I am knitting for my doula. I'll have to write out the instructions on here soon for everyone as it's a nice, easy sock to knit with lots of give, if you need it.

I'm nervous about starting the Flower Basket Shawl. I don't know why. I guess, I want it to be beautiful and knit up to a decent size and procrastinating on starting it delays my screwing it up. I wish I could show you the beautiful yarn. It's handpainted with reds and mossy greens that fade into pale yellows and overlap with the reds for a barky pale brown colour. It really is the perfect choice for something called Flower Basket.

I just found an awesome little pattern this morning for baby knitting, too. I may go stash hunting to find some yarn and whip off a few of these adorable baby shoes (pdf link). Alison at six and a half stitches has a post up with a pair she just made and those were enough to make me overcome my nervousness at knitting for baby.

I haven't knit anything for the baby yet. Can you believe it? Mostly this is because we don't yet know who this little person is, yet. So, aside from a few gender neutral colours I'd consider (black! brown! navy!), I haven't wanted to get into knitting for an unknown person. I mean, if Shrimpie is a girl, I want to knit a little fall dress or something girlish - I've been knitting boyish sweaters and socks and hats and mitts for 4 years now, I'm going to indulge in afew adorable girly things if Shrimpie comes out with lady parts ! But, then, if it's a boy, a simple cardigan would be just right for a new little man.

Of course, there is also the part of the equation where it's summer in Ontario right now! And, as a non-AC kinda family, there is little in the way of warm dressing needed around these parts for at least two solid months after baby is born. Why knit hats for a baby born in a heat wave? Or cardigans? Definitely won't need pants or bonnets or even blankets (lots from Shrimpie's big brother in the cupboards).

But, booties are perhaps the perfect thing. I could knit little neutral ones in navy or black and then embellish with funky buttons after baby arrives to personalize them a bit more.

OK, I'd better run off and look at the stash and see what's what!