30 weeks...10 to go

The appointment with my hypnotherapist last Monday went well. We went over the deep relaxation and light switch techniques. I've actually been trying to do my deep breathing and light switch (e.g., when the light switch is off, I'm in deep relaxation; when it's halfway open, I can walk and talk, but have part of my body anesthetized) techniques every morning, but it was nice to review the material anyway. She also gave me a "Comfy Birthing" CD to which I may listen instead of the "Rainbow Relaxation" piece I got from HypnoBirthing.

Another thing we reviewed was pushing. I told her that was one of the two most uncomfortable experiences I had while giving birth to Nikita. I couldn't figure out where to push. She reminded me that women in comas can give birth, so what I should try to do is to relax deeply instead. Being conscious about where to push is like consciously moving the muscles I use for writing (or typing, in this case): it may interfere with the process.

Finally, we discussed premature delivery. Since I've been on bedrest, I've been daily telling the baby that the longer she stays inside of me, the quicker we can bring her home when I deliver her. I also tell her to hang out by my heart instead of resting on my cervix. And for good measure, I tell my cervix to lengthen (why not?). Given that my last fibronectin test came out negative, Barbara thinks that these techniques are working well for me. Now what I need to do is to keep an image of a calendar and mark off the days until the day I want my baby to arrive. My due date is April 18, but I've been thinking more like late March since Nikita was born 3-weeks early. However, the last thing I want is for my baby to be in the NICU like Nikita (the NICU was great, but I think the nine days was excessive, and didn't help the breast-feeding). So, April 18 it is. Or maybe later...but not too late because I don't want to be induced!

Other unrelated news: finished the hat and booties for the baby - had to rip back the booties because they were too tall. Next item is either another hat/bootie set for a friend's baby or a hat for me...Nikita constantly switches from his 100-piece puzzle to his train set to his large Lego-style blocks. I can sometimes get Nikita to clean up after himself, but keeping the living room floor clear is a struggle. Media-wise, we're down to one show a day (usually "Sesame Street") because Igor tends to watch Russian cartoons with him in the evening, but we switch from "Tubby the Tuba" and "Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!" on CD. I better make copies of these stories for the baby because I'm sure they are being imprinted on her - better these stories (with complete orchestra!) than the funky tune (or metronome) that Nikita loves to hear on his keyboard.

Well, better get myself some lunch. My appetite has kind of come back, possibly because I read that the baby is putting on the pounds this trimester. I currently crave ice cream (vanilla), although last night I woke up, wishing I had Herrell's Cookies 'n Cream in the house. I wonder if they deliver...