38 weeks...we have done it!
we have done it!! the peanut and i have achieved the illusive zen like state known as "normal". after weeks of fretting and worrying, "why aren't we normal? is it something i have done or not done? was it that crack i've been smoking? :)" my doctor (we call that a consultant here) has confirmed that we have arrived! i am proud to say that it has virtually nothing to do with me! just a random part of life and labour...evidently.
my consultant had explained to me a couple weeks ago that we were "on the low end of normal" in regard to my level of amniotic fluid and the baby's weight. what a strange place to be. not quite up to the standard, a little less than everyone else. my consultant is fabulous and has a great approach to the whole thing. she says, basically you are healthy, so we assume you will have a healthy baby and birth unless things come up to tell us otherwise. so, she has been brilliant at not getting all panicky and overly-medical in light of our "shortcomings".
for the last couple weeks i have been thinking about what it means to be normal. in western culture, we are obsessed with how we are doing in relation to everyone else. we seem to have lost the value in individuality and personal journey. not only in all things physical (height, weight, clothing size, style) but in life choices as well: marriage (age, type, roles, etc.), jobs, financial status, success, happiness. we are driven by this undercurrent of "how am i doing compared to everyone else?" what a prison...and a crock! how in the world can i ever find any freedom to be who and how god has uniquely designed me if this quest for normal is pulsing through my veins? i would like to say i have this great insight and confidence now to go about living my life in the honesty of my individuality...but i know my resolve will only last until i see the next issue of heat mel brings in!
anyway, back to the baby. no more monitoring, no more scans, no more extra consultant visits...for now! not unless i go past my due date or have some reason to believe there is a problem with the baby. her estimated weight is 6lbs. 9oz. that is now, not for when she is due. if she gains the half pound a week she is supposed to, that will put her at a perfect 7 1/2 lbs.
as for me, i am still much smaller than i thought i would be and significantly smaller than the other women i see at the same point in their pregnancy. my theory is that i am broad (like in my hips and shoulders) especially for my height. so the peanut has had more space side to side which means she hasn't needed to spread out front quite as much. no one with any actual medical credibility or scientific knowledge has confirmed this, but i feel it is based on good logic. tim has reworded it into "good birthing hips". what a dork.
my consultant had explained to me a couple weeks ago that we were "on the low end of normal" in regard to my level of amniotic fluid and the baby's weight. what a strange place to be. not quite up to the standard, a little less than everyone else. my consultant is fabulous and has a great approach to the whole thing. she says, basically you are healthy, so we assume you will have a healthy baby and birth unless things come up to tell us otherwise. so, she has been brilliant at not getting all panicky and overly-medical in light of our "shortcomings".
for the last couple weeks i have been thinking about what it means to be normal. in western culture, we are obsessed with how we are doing in relation to everyone else. we seem to have lost the value in individuality and personal journey. not only in all things physical (height, weight, clothing size, style) but in life choices as well: marriage (age, type, roles, etc.), jobs, financial status, success, happiness. we are driven by this undercurrent of "how am i doing compared to everyone else?" what a prison...and a crock! how in the world can i ever find any freedom to be who and how god has uniquely designed me if this quest for normal is pulsing through my veins? i would like to say i have this great insight and confidence now to go about living my life in the honesty of my individuality...but i know my resolve will only last until i see the next issue of heat mel brings in!
anyway, back to the baby. no more monitoring, no more scans, no more extra consultant visits...for now! not unless i go past my due date or have some reason to believe there is a problem with the baby. her estimated weight is 6lbs. 9oz. that is now, not for when she is due. if she gains the half pound a week she is supposed to, that will put her at a perfect 7 1/2 lbs.
as for me, i am still much smaller than i thought i would be and significantly smaller than the other women i see at the same point in their pregnancy. my theory is that i am broad (like in my hips and shoulders) especially for my height. so the peanut has had more space side to side which means she hasn't needed to spread out front quite as much. no one with any actual medical credibility or scientific knowledge has confirmed this, but i feel it is based on good logic. tim has reworded it into "good birthing hips". what a dork.
posted by jamie at 5:13 AM
Comments on "38 weeks...we have done it!"
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Anonymous said ... (1:32 AM) :
post a commentI'm assuming she isn't here yet or the grapevine would be a fire by now with cross-country calls to see if we "had heard from Tim & Jamie".
One thing I've noticed in my pregnancies is that I believe that God gives us the last 4 weeks or so to actually make us excited about, long for, look forward to, and genuinely desire to experience this thing that women everywhere say is the "most pain I've ever experienced". Those who have horror stories to tell are not shy about sharing, despite your delicate state and your inevitable fate in only a matter of months. Yet, in the final weeks, we desire to have our own story of pain and perserverence.
For the record, Trey & I have delivered both of our kids unmedicated and while they were a lot of work, they were the most amazing experiences of our lives. Not only because you see this little person you've loved so much without even knowing them, but because Trey & I worked together to an end we could never have imagined. We were stronger as a couple after our birthing experiences. I pray the same for you two. We're thinking and praying for you often these days.
Congratulations!! I hear you had a little one today. We'll pray for a speedy recovery and a wonderful first few weeks.
amiga you are almost done!!!! doctors don't know a thing... just kidding lol -- your baby will be perfect..thanks for all the pics--can't wait to see ut8gtir6u= asia lol
miss u - josie