Friday, May 05, 2006

In- Utero Antics

I never expected to feel like I knew so much about our baby before she was born, but she has made her presence distinct. I started feeling her move at about 14 weeks, and have known that she was a pretty active little thing ever since. Something else I noticed was that if I poked my finger into my belly where she was, I often would get a little flick right back at my finger. So she's responsive, I thought. On Wednesday, I had my first of a series of bi-weekly appointments for non-stress testing that will continue until the end of the pregnancy. Basically, they strap two belts onto my stomach, one with a heart monitor for Amelia and one that monitors uterine contractions. Then I just lay there for about 20 minutes and they track her heart rate for that amount of time. Her HR is usually about 150 BPM. I don't know how, but she very quickly figured out that the monitors were there, and that she didn't like it! She started kicking (or hitting?) the monitors, directly, over and over again. Her HR was in the 180s for most of the time, and you could see the monitors bouncing up and down. You could hear her heartbeat, but then also all of the blows to the monitor were really loud. My doctor came in wondering what all the commotion was and left very amused, but pleased that she is so strong and active. Then she sent the nurse in to see, too. I almost felt kind of embarassed by my child's behavior! The doctor looked at me, shaking her head, and said, "I'm sorry, Ariana, but you have a very strong-willed child." And?... What do I say to that? I can't wait to meet her, but I have to admit I'm a little nervous! I know I need to write this down for us to all look back on.

8 comments:

Luke said...

that's so fun!~ i wonder how many other people can know that they have a strong willed child while they are in the womb. oh, i think that's great. It'll be fascinating to see this kid born already. I'm feeling impatient. (c:

Gretchen said...

Oh, Ariana that is so wierd. I feel the same way with my little guy accept the thing I know about him so far is that he is REALLY laid back. I get a kick every once in a while but nothing like Amelia!
Such fun.

ShackelMom said...

Maybe that doesn't mean she is strong-willed, per say, but maybe just really socially interactive... give the girl a chance to be a real sweetie! :-) (I know you will!)

I remember holding onto little heels as they pushed around the 'barrier' between us, and then dreaming that my belly became transparent and I could see and touch the baby. Pregnancy is an amazing and kind of surreal situation! :-)

annegreet said...

Luke sent me here to check this out. Fun, fun! Haven't seen that kinda commotion before. I'm studying midwifery, so I have to do a lot of monitoring. But I'm sure it's very different when it's all happening inside you! Enjoy it, Ariana!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the visit, Annegreet. What a great field to be studying-- I'm sure you will find much stranger things! Good luck!

The Semi-Pro Chef said...

That's so neat, the consciousness of the little babies while they are in utero. Its amazing all she's learning even though she can't see anything yet. But she can hear, and obviously feel! I guess I wouldn't like monitors on me all the time either...what a neat story. I'm just so fascinated by pregnancy...I hope one day I get to experience it first-hand myself!!

Erin said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Erin said...

How interesting to see traits coming out in your little one already! Yes - How DID she know those belts were there?? I can't wait to meet here one of these days soon!