Posts tagged as: pregnancy
“Knock knock!”
It’s getting pretty close to Go-Time, guys! I am now 37 weeks and 5 days pregnant, which means I’m 5 days into officially, technically ‘term’. Most women gestate for 40 weeks but my midwives expect an earlier arrival for me. Like, ANY DAY NOW!
I do have a posting schedule all set for the next few weeks . . . but it’s probably more ambitious than it is realistic. I’ll do my best to let you know as soon as I go into labor, and also to keep you updated in the days afterwards. I know you’ll want pictures! But of course, the truth is I’ve never done this before and it’s impossible to know how available I’ll actually be. So please just bear with me, my dears.
In the case that I do just disappear one day, please think happy labor thoughts for me. And maybe send some extra love towards my son – he’ll be making his grand entrance into this world and I can only imagine that’s a pretty intense experience.
I just can’t wait to meet him!!!
Gettin’ silly at the midwife’s office.
I’ve been on bed rest going on 6 weeks now, and let me tell you, I am cabin fevered! Putting on a dress and going out to dinner for my birthday was a huge treat. 29 years young (so happy to be here) and 33 weeks pregnant (also so happy to be here) (though it certainly limits one’s outfit options).
Apparently I only wear high heels twice a year : for Damian’s Birthday and for my birthday. What can I say? I’m 6′1” – I don’t need the height! And I have no experience walking in heels, so I just sort of wobble around and try not to totter over. It’s pretty ridiculous, but I have fun with it!
- Black Flowered Dress: Ancient. A relic.
- Black Long-Sleeved Maternity Shirt: secondhand by Gap Maternity
- Maternity Jeans: secondhand by Old Navy, dyed darker by me
- Red Faux-Patent Heels: secondhand
- Necklace: my wedding rings on a rope
- Bracelet: a cheap chain necklace
- Black Cardigan: secondhand by Banana Republic
- Scarf: handmade by my wifey
- Gloves: I got these at Urban Outfitters like 5 years ago for $2
- Purse: from Herbivore
“I’m vegan and I <3 you"
Seriously, I hadn’t left my house in 2 weeks. I hadn’t gone outside in 2 weeks! So naturally, even a trip to the doctors office was terribly exciting for me. I had to take the opportunity to gussy up a bit, and show off my swelling belly.
- T-shirt Dress: from Herbivore (they are AWESOME! go there! support them!)
- Long Black Cardigan: secondhand by Banana Rebublic
- Grey Leggings: secondhand
- Multi Blue Knee Highs: Sock Dreams, who have my everlasting stripey devotion
- Combat Boots: many years old, by Gripfast
- White Canvas belt: so very very old
- Blue Stars Children’s Umbrella: secondhand
And I’ve got some good news! This trip was specifically for a test, a test that came back NEGATIVE, which means my chances of preterm labor have gone back down to ’slim to none’. YAY YAY YAY! So thank you so much to everyone out there who sent your love and support – it worked guys!
Also, I don’t have gestational diabetes (yay vegan!). We celebrated with donuts. =)
Hello my Dears,
It’s good to be back, and I apologize for being gone so long. I hadn’t intended such an extended stay away, but sometimes life is unpredictable like that, you know? I hope you all had a magnificent holiday season, whatever it may have entailed.
Damian and I had lovely holidays (we celebrate Chanukah, Solstice, and Christmas, with various people) but it was not what we’d imagined. We had planned a long trip back to our home town – a whirlwind of visits and celebrations and merry making – but we ended up camped out on our big red couch instead.
On December 15th, at exactly 28 weeks pregnant, I began exhibiting some strange symptoms. Damian and I called the midwives and they had us come in immediately. After a day and a half of ultra-sounding, fetal monitoring, peeing into cups, bleeding into tubes, poking, prodding, and stirrup riding, I was told that I was exhibiting strong signs of potential preterm labor. I was put on complete bed rest, transfered to the care of an OB, and our holiday homecoming was canceled.
It was very frightening and I needed to take some time away from everything. Being such a logician, it was difficult for me to accept the answer, “We don’t know why.” I’m at risk for preterm labor because my cervix is too short, but why is my cervix too short!? No one knows. Apparently, very little is understood about preterm labor.
[ Just in case you were wondering (and I'm surprised how many have), this has nothing to do with veganism. And even though I knew that, I asked my doctor about it. He laughed in my face. Seriously. So yeah, this is not about diet. At all. ]
For the past week and a half we’ve been living a different life. I’ve had to quell my Hyper Productivity Disorder™ in a major way, and Damian’s had to pick up all my slack around the house. He has blown my mind with his support and his strength and in the midst of such a fearful situation, I can’t help but feel incredibly lucky.
So we’ve worked out the kinks and life is running somewhat smoothly again. I’m able to work from bed (or couch), but I’m mainly focused on eliminating stress, relaxing, and slowing down. My big internal hurdle of the last year or so has been around reconciling stillness. So, I’ve been joking, perhaps this is my final exam.
Our baby boy is absolutely amazing. He is measuring nice and big, healthy with a strong heartbeat and the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen. He flips and kicks all the time, as if to reassure me that everything’s okay.
I feel physically better each day. I’m very optimistic that everything will be okay. My doctor agrees. He is a wonderful man, but when I reach 35 weeks I’ll be thrilled to transfer back to my midwives.
I continue to learn through this. I am humbled and I am grateful. My marriage has been tested and only strengthens; Damian and I are such an exquisite team. I almost can’t wait to begin this family of ours, but really . . . I can wait. At least another 8 weeks or so. =)
Lots of Love to all of you, and thank you for your support and your patience.
*** All photos of me were taken at 29 weeks 2 days, by Damian Rebhal ***