24 Week Appointment

24 weeks

I began my pregnancy journey with a doctor on the post airfield, but after an E.R. visit I was referred to another doctor at the main post hospital. Once that doctor deployed I was sent to a group called centering for the remainder of my appointments. Centering is run by two O.B. nurses who cover various topics related to pregnancy. There are approximately ten other women at the appointment and each lady is the same week in their pregnancy as I am. The session starts by getting our weight and blood pressure and then we go to "belly time" where the head nurse measures our tummy growth, and the baby's heart rate. Once that is complete we discuss pregnancy related topics. If we ever need to see a doctor we just make an appointment at the clinic, otherwise the nurses order any medicine and tests we may need. 

Today was the fourth centering session. The head nurse was pleased with my weight gain since the last appointment, although I'm still below the minimum weight for my height and expected due date. She assured me that I need not worry about that since I lost so much weight in the beginning, and considering that, I'm doing fine. The baby's heart rate was 150 beats per minute and from there she went over my 22 week ultrasound (the last one I will have unless any problems arise). My official due date is the 19th, even though it should really be the 10th, and based on measurements, the baby will arrive November 14-15th. So based on my doctor's predicted due date, I'm 23 weeks, but I'm sticking with my due date based on conception. All of the baby's body parts measured normal as did the amount of amniotic fluid and location of the placenta. Baby girl is in the 72nd percentile for her size--meaning she is larger than 72 percent of babies at her same stage, which is considered normal, but may not be enjoyable for me during birth =). After reviewing these results, we discussed birth control methods after delivery and induction. I also signed up for some night classes in hopes that Tim can join (labor, breastfeeding, and child care). All of these topics are covered at centering, but Tim cannot attend those meetings because of his schedule. My next appointment is on August 21st. 

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