31w6d - 8w1d to go!

I didn't write about my appointment earlier this week, mainly because it was relatively uneventful.

Angelica is measuring right on target - the tape measure test said 32 weeks on Monday, which puts her only a few days ahead (and makes me a happy mommy - I think she'll be early...still rooting for Memorial Day weekend, but it occurred to me last night that she could very easily be a Mother's Day gift, too!)

Her heart rate was perfect...Dr. Cascio said she was being quite active, with a heart rate between 140-150 and it sounded strong. I'm so proud of my little girl!

My blood pressure is back up again, as I suspected - not terribly high (145/83 on Monday) because I haven't really been able to exercise thanks to the pain - which, by the way, she said that pretty much the only thing I could do for it is lay down to take the pressure off...and in the next breath told me I needed more exercise for my blood pressure. Scott tried to explain the logistics of this but it didn't seem to be well received - in all honesty I left my appointment feeling kind of ticked off because of this, and the fact that the whole thing turned into a lecture about my weight...again...

Speaking of that, because of the weight lecture, instead of being happy that the baby is doing well, I kind of left the appointment feeling like I should feel lucky that my "defective" body has created a perfect child, and that I should just expect something to go wrong at any time now (for example, I should just expect that I'll develop pre-eclampsia or need a c-section).

This really ticked me off because I feel like I should be celebrating the fact that I have had a very easy, uncomplicated pregnancy and that the baby is doing so well and is so perfectly developed - and I attribute this to the fact that, since becoming pregnant, I have made lifestyle changes for the better. I'm eating healthier and exercising more than I have in years. But every time I go in to see one of the doctors, they imply that all I do is sit around and eat and don't get enough activity, which isn't true. (This isn't the case with the NP, who has said I should watch my weight but never turns it into a negative lecture.)

Up to this point, I've always said I love my doctors but after this last visit, I've kind of had it. I'm actually considering a switch, but at this late stage in the pregnancy I wonder if it's worth the hassle. After all, once we're in the delivery room, all the doctor really has to do is catch the baby and then I can switch without having to worry about the transfer of medical records and see whoever I want. (If I ever have another baby - which isn't very likely...but IF I ever do, I would pick a different doctor.) I'm working on my birth plan, and even though I know nothing ever goes exactly as planned, I will be outlining in there that before admission of drugs or jumping right into a c-section, they need to consider all other options first. Last thing I need is a knife-happy doc cutting into my uterus just because I'm overweight.

Next time I go in, if they start in on me, I'll just tell them - I'm overweight, NOT defective. I haven't gained that much, and I'll worry about my weight gain after she comes. For now, as long as she's healthy, I'm a happy mom.

That's really it for now. I'm gonna go grab some lunch and plug away at work for awhile longer!