One month from today is my due date. Only 5% of women actually give birth on their due date. Most give birth from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after. The thing is I really like my due date. For almost 9 months I have been attached to this date and not only I, but some family members have used this date to plan their schedules. September 17th is a Saturday. Most people are off of work that day. Giving birth is something exciting to do if you don't already have plans for the weekend. For those people taking off of work when I give birth it's nice to know that when Monday rolls around you won't be getting up early.
I'm also attached to this date because if I gave birth in the 2 weeks prior we would run a significant risk of not being fully prepared (I'm going to go into preparedness a little bit more)- such as having diapers, formula, bedding, clothing etc. We're pretty sure we'll have to do some significant shopping after the baby shower. We don't even have a car seat yet. OK I just had to remind myself to breathe. If Rooney is born 2 weeks late he runs the risk of being a larger baby & I'm not really sure I'm OK with that. (Taking large, deep, breaths)
Seems to me it is really a significant draw back to go into childbirth w/preconceived expectations. Some women worry about hemorrhoids, others tearing and of course I would assume many like myself...pain! Let me preface this by saying I do not believe I am any kind of wuss, I am a woman after all, & I've been told I have a pretty high pain tolerance by the DDS (& he should know, right?) but I have the unfortunate knowledge of knowing this pain will be different from any other type of pain I have ever experienced. I have nothing to relate the pain I will feel to & how long will I be in it for. I have elected to have an epidural of course, but there is question of how long will take before I get to 4cm. and I know I can only do so much to speed that up. The scariest part to me is that I cannot fully prepare for the pain or time.
During the process of being pregnant I have realized I may be a bit controlling. Before I get any posts agreeing enthusiastically to this let me clarify. Controlling in the sense that I want to be prepared. And then there is the overnight bag & after birth preparation. Ever since I was a kid I loved to pack. I have always been that person that if you went on a trip with them had hand wipes in their bag...just in case. I have bought so many embarrassing products I hoped I'd never have to buy. Tucks (for jock itch)is used to help with swelling, stretch mark cream, breast shields in case I leak, the big ol' bag of Overnight Always with wings and to top it off yesterday I went to a pharmacy that seems to exclusively sell geriatric supplies (i.e. raised toilet seats, shower chairs, toilet rails etc.) so I could buy a sitz bath. It says quite large on the box that it helps with HEMORRHOIDS and then says in a much smaller print ...and episiotomy. I also want to purchase some kind of waterproof mattress cover just in case my water breaks in bed. (I have to start breathing again) But I am willing to swallow my pride, and youth, to be prepared for this kid. According to the birthing class we should be packed 3 weeks before our due date- just in case. I'm running out of time and my overnight bag is still in the garage!
Let's hope the bathroom is done.
At 26 weeks pregnant I started this blog for my son Rooney. The plan was to document feelings, body changes and eventually to share pictures of our son with friends and family. 4 years later, with the addition of Rooney's little sister, Ailbe, we are now sharing the lives of our 2 kiddos. I'm not sure how long this blog will go on for but as long as people are reading we'll keep posting.
1 comment:
For comparison, D&A were a week early (but twins are usually a bit early), you were a week late, Casey was a week late.
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