August's Angel

Part 22: F*ck This Sh*t I'm Out

Week 31

Your baby's body is the size of a coconut, beginning to plump up as needed fat accumulates. For the rest of your pregnancy, your baby will be packing on the pounds in preparation for birth. She can stretch, kick, and somersault – in fact, their dramatic motions may be keeping you up at night. Take comfort: All this is a sign that your baby is active and healthy. Everything kicks into high gear in the last trimester as your baby's brain triples in weight. Also, the cerebrum develops deep grooves that provide extra surface area without taking up more room in the skull.

You are basically getting ready for delivery. Braxton Hicks contractions persist, and are irregular, infrequent, and painless (though they may feel uncomfortable). Labor contractions, on the other hand, come at regular intervals and increase in intensity over time. However, don't try to diagnose this yourself; see your doctor. Sciatica, a pain that occurs when there is compression or inflammation on the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to buttocks down the back of your legs, can also be a common problem and helped with warm compresses, stretching and some yoga poses. Try to make sure you hydrate and go to the bathroom often, and do things to relax like take a walk, do relaxation exercises or take a warm bath. Your breasts may leak yellow or orange fluid, which is colostrum, an antibody-rich liquid that is perfect first food for your newborn. Hormones, extra fluid and pressure on your bladder all play a part in causing you to run to the bathroom more often, however, frequent urination, foul smelling urine, fever or pain in your back/lower abdominal area could be sign of a urinary tract infection, so remain observant. You will experience back pain but low impact exercises, stretching and wearing comfortable shoes can improve your posture and well-being. Lastly, sleep becomes difficult in the third trimester between the baby's kicks, aches and pains, not to mention trips to the bathroom. Keep trying to find comfortable positions and ways to relax.You waddle into work, tired. You are not getting as much sleep as you used to. You try to take it in stride, but sometimes you want to cry. You are thankful for August. He makes you laugh, and when you sleep on your side, you still feel his arm (sort of) around you. The one thing that you are amused about is that Skye Amara or Gabrielle Skye or Gabrielle Amara seems to settle down noticeably at the sound of her father's voice or the touch of his hand on your womb.

You see Madison sniffling and wiping her nose. Something is definitely wrong.

"Uh, hi." you say brightly. "What's going on?"

"Hi," Madison sniffs. "I'm okay, just...I'll be alright."

"What is going on?"

"We got a new girl," she takes a breath. "Lilah."

"Where is she?"

"Oh, she's working with Saul today," Madison said, lifting her chin. "Assisting."

You freeze. Madison is a vet student. She took this job to gain experience. She wanted to shadow Saul, though more happened, you were sure. You suddenly see Saul and a buxom green-eyed brunette go by. 

"Oh," Saul says as if he forgot. "This is..."

"You're Lilah," you manage a small smile. "Hi."

"Lilah is studying to be veterinarian."

"Ah, like Madison." In the corner of your eye you see Madison's eyes drop. "You two should compare notes about the goings on around here."

"I'm sure I'll be alright," Lilah gives a tight smile. "Not my first rodeo."

"I see." you couldn't mask your dislike of these two if you wanted to. 

"Hey, Lilah," you try to smile, and introduce yourself. You realize that if Madison is working at the desk... "So, what are my duties today?"