Allowed to Fly

I had my last prenatal checkup this morning. The doctor examined me for the last time before my scheduled flight early tomorrow morning. The baby's head is already in the position for birth and she said everything looks very normal and healthy. Thank God! We were allowed to travel.

I somehow feel anxious about going on my own, but I know I can make it. My baby seems to be so cooperative and though he's still in my womb, it feels like we already have a certain bond and that he already understands me a lot, as well as his dad. We can talk to him already and he "responds".

It just feels happy to be reassured. I just wish that everything will stay okay until we have the delivery and even after the birth.

31 Weeks

Your baby's arms, legs and body continue to fill out - and they are finally proportional in size to her head. She weighs about 3.3 pounds/ 1.5 kilograms and looks more like a newborn. She measures about 16 inches/ 41 centimeters from crown to toe.

You may notice your baby isn't moving around as much. Don't worry; she's just running out of space in your uterus. As long as you can feel her squirming, you'll know she's just fine. Believe it or not, she still has plenty of growing to do. You can expect her to gain at least two more pounds/ 900 grams before birth.

Your baby's organs are continuing to mature and she is passing water from her bladder: good practice for the urinating she'll do after she's born. Soon you can wonder what your baby is wishing for - brain scans have shown that fetuses have periods of dream sleep around month eight.

You've probably gained three to four pounds/ 1.3 to 1.8 kilograms this month. Gaining a pound/ 450 grams a week is quite normal during the last trimester as your baby has a final growth spurt before birth.

Creepy

I haven't got around to posting this and I've been meaning to share this experience. The kicking and moving of my baby has become slower but more intense. Lately, it feels like he is poking his entire fist or foot or maybe an elbow or a knee in a part of my tummy.

It feels creepy and wonderful at the same time. Sometimes I think it feels like I have a large snake slithering inside my tummy. It feels like it. I usually stop and just watch my stomach's waving movement in amazement.

Another thing that feels so amazing is the way he responds to sounds. Usually when there is a loud music or a sound nearby, he moves a lot. Sometimes I think he also "dances" inside. His daddy talks to him all the time and it's wonderful to watch that he sometimes responds to his questions by kicking hard.

It's really an inexplicable feeling of wonderment the way we already communicate even if he's still inside me. I can't wait to see him!

Doc's Appointment at 30 Weeks

I just had my doctor's appointment last Friday. It was always nice to be reassured that my baby is very healthy and everything looks very fine. This was supposed to be my last checkup here in UAE as I'm supposed to go home on the 12th of the month.

However, I had to get certificates and my records to travel safely on plane and for the transfer of my files to a new doctor back home. And so I will be having my next checkup the day before my departure.

During this last checkup, we were able to see him fully. He's already so big! With the head and the legs and feet and all the toes. The heartbeat sounded so fine too. It continuously amazes me to know that I have a baby inside me and that he's always so healthy. And I'm going to see him soon!