After quickening, I liked to lay on the bed nude, propped up with pillows to a half-sitting position, and watch the bulges in my belly move around as he rolled, stretched and kicked. I'd giggle, and pat the place where the foot or fist would push out, invite my husband to feel the hard roundness and the motion. Poor hubby. He was afraid to leave his hand long enough to feel the baby move, afraid the gentle pressure would some how cause injury.

My son apparently liked being all snug in the womb and was in no hurry to be born. He was two weeks late, and did not make his move until he was threatened with eviction by pectosin. The placenta was starting to show signs of calcification along the edge of the uterus. The doctor had the injection in his hand ready to administer when I felt my first labor pain.

The last week, I had to go to the OB office every afternoon and they would put electrodes on my stomach to monitor his movements. The nurse worried that he was too inactive, but I kept telling her he always took a nap at that time of day.

Janie