Disability and Pregnancy, Part 9 - Week 28

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Have you ever thought about your favorite sound? For me it has always been the wind in the trees. I just love the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. I think it’s because it reminds me of backpacking when I was a kid. Whenever I would hear that sound, I would think, “It’s the river,” meaning we were close to our destination and the end of the hike.

Since becoming pregnant though, I have found a new favorite sound. While I still love the sound of the wind in the trees, my new favorite sound is that of my baby’s heartbeat. I long to hear it at each doctor visit and could easily sit there just listening to it for hours. I have been tempted to purchase a home fetal Doppler stethoscope so I can listen to it daily, but with all the upcoming baby expenses, I am really trying not to waste money on unnecessary items. I just have to say, though, that when I hear that heartbeat something deep inside of me comes alive, and it’s just so exhilarating!

I have officially entered my third trimester and am certainly getting rounder. So far I’ve put on more than 18 pounds, but my doctor seems satisfied with my weight gain. It’s been quite amazing that as the baby grows, so do the movements of my belly. The little one seems to be doing flips and rolls all day long.

While I don’t feel most of the movements from inside because of my injury level, I can feel them when I put my hands on my belly. Heck, I can even watch them: my belly jumps and moves all over the place when the baby kicks. It’s so funny; I just sit there and laugh, watching my baby make my belly dance. I have to say, it’s one of my favorite things to do lately. It has been a great way to bond with the baby, who seems to be most active when I lie down and rest. I’ll laugh and talk to the baby when it starts its jumping routine.