You rescued him, nursed him to health, and after many passionate nights, he disappears. You go on with your life and find out you are carrying his child. Just as you think you've moved on an inch, he reappears.
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Week 26
The baby is definitely getting ready for the world, and if born premature can have an excellent chance of survival in a NICU since she is at least two pounds in weight and about fourteen inches long (about the height of a Tickle Me Elmo). Only fourteen weeks to go! Her eyes are opening and she will react if you flash a light on the womb. Her eyebrows and eyelashes are growing in. She is beginning to display the startle or moro reflex when reacting to loud or startling noises, and also reacting to other noises. She is also starting to grasp with her hands and feet, not to mention punches and kicks that go from gentle to painful. She may pedal against your womb, and even stretch her foot to the point of hooking your ribs. Her intestines are starting to really grow and developing, absorbing even more nutrients from amniotic fluid and producing enzymes to break down nutrients for digestion. This swallowing is practice for eating after birth.
As the baby becomes stronger, you may find it hard to sleep, hold your urine, avoid leg cramps and heartburn. Stretch marks may enlarge or darken. Good diet, daily activity, leg rubs, and less drinking water around bedtime may help. If she starts moving in ways you don't like, you can talk to her or even move her gently back into place with your hand, or stretch and change positions to let her know enough's enough. Yes, even now. Your partner can help. At this point the baby knows voices, and may have picked a particular person who has the magical quality of calming her down. Soothing music can also help.
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We are standing looking at the view from our suite after dinner.
"I saw the spa on the way in," she smiles. "Couples day?"
"Definitely," I tell her. "I want us to go a few times, maybe, try it all."
"What else do you have planned?"
"Maybe some shopping?" he shrugs. "A walk? We'll see."
She nudges me playfully. "Don't give me that, August Walker. You plan everything."
