Anastasia's pregnancy diary week 16

The story so far: Anastasia and her husband, Nick, have been married for 3 years and are expecting their first baby. Anastasia is a freelance writer who lives in London, but home is America.

Amazing rhythm

The night before Nick and I were about to leave to visit my parents in Nevada, I came across that First Sounds device which is meant to allow you to hear the sounds of your unborn baby. This machine had fooled Nick and I before – digestive sounds are indistinguishable from baby sounds (unless Nick is pregnant, too). Anyway, it actually fell out of my bedside cabinet into my hands, so I thought I’d take that as a sign and give it another try. Nick was already asleep as I fumbled with the little monitor and earphones. Within a minute, I heard it: a very clear rhythmic drumbeat, loud and fast and non-stop. I was hearing my baby’s heartbeat. This was more amazing to me than the ultrasound scan. This was just between me and my baby – no technicians, no fuzzy black and white screens, just boom boom boom. I woke Nick and he was amazed too (not quite as excited as I, but excited nonetheless). I fell asleep, feeling happy and reassured, and decided to pack the device in my suitcase to give my parents a chance to listen.

Up, up and away

Since the flight to Nevada would take 12 hours, I had a false hope that a sympathetic airline agent would recognise my ‘delicate condition’ and give me a good seat (preferably First Class). I should have realised that people didn’t even give me a seat on the bus, let alone a prime seat on a 747. When Nick and I got to the gate, I asked if this was an aisle seat and sort of stuck my tummy out, while giving the agent a knowing look, hoping she would understand and relent. She looked at me blankly, till I was forced to say, ‘See, I’m nearly 5 months pregnant and a little uncomfortable at times…’ Her expression was motionless as she handed my ticket back to me and said, coldly, ‘77C.’ Not looking pregnant doesn’t help. I just look like I lack discipline and have eaten too many chunky Kit Kats (which I have). So off we went to the back of the plane for a 12-hour marathon.