Great Expectations: Meagan @ 24 Weeks

I had a bit of an out-of-body experience. A few days ago, I was walking into my prenatal check-up with my midwife and I was thinking of how my youngest's third birthday is in just a few days. Then it hit me; three years ago I was taking these same steps into this same office, but I was just a week away from delivering what I thought would be my last child. Even a year ago, I never thought I would be taking those steps once again. And, yet, here I am a few years later, walking that same path for #3. Suddenly I realized that I am pregnant. We are having another baby. This isn't just pretend. It took me nearly 24 weeks to get here, but I think the reality is finally setting in.

Thankfully the check-up went just fine: weight, good; blood pressure, good; urine, good; measuring, on target; heartbeat, strong as ever. The best part of the appointment wasn't the five minutes that it took to go through those checks. It was the 20 minutes that my midwife and I sat in the examination room chatting. We talked about c-section rates, home births, local hospital options, TV's depiction of birth. It was awesome. I love having a care provider who I not only trust for her knowledge of birth, but that I can sit and talk with like an old friend (and, yes, I do discuss those same topics with old friends). Hers is a bedside manner like none I've experienced before. It makes me wish more women could experience that same balance of expertise and care.

While everything with this pregnancy has been smooth sailing thus far, I have come to one bothersome realization: I'm beginning to waddle. As my belly protrudes with greater authority, I have noticed that my posture has changed, as has my walking. That realization has prompted me to re-energize my exercise habits. I've been taking more waddles I mean walks doing low-impact aerobics and taking to the elliptical when the Northern Indiana weather is less than cooperative. I know I can't fully prevent the waddle, but I also know it's important to stay in good physical shape. After all, labor is like running a marathon. Except at the end, you receive a much better reward than a medal.

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