March 5, 2010

Are You Expecting….Showers?

Now that I’m officially showing (by officially I mean people aren’t afraid to ask if I’m pregnant), I’ve been asked many times over if I’ll be having a baby shower. This is a silly question to me because is it really up to me? Can I actually tell my friends and family to throw me one? Maybe I’m shy in this department but that’s not a question I feel comfortable asking of my friends or of my husband’s family. If I were to ask I would feel as though I’d be actually yelling “gimme gimme gimme!”

My sister-in-law (my brother’s wife) has thoughtfully offered to throw me a shower for my side of the family. And if anyone else should offer I would be very honoured, but so far I am looking forward to the shower I do know about. Part of the reason I’m looking forward to it is, yes of course being surrounded by family and family friends I’ve known my entire life, but also so I can quit researching what we’ll need for the baby. I’m a planner, so it’s important for me to know ahead of time what we’ll need to save for and what we don’t have to worry about.  On the other hand, I tend to get nervous when I’m the centre of attention! But I am touched by the unexpected generosity so far and being surrounded by those who obviously care about me really isn’t a bad thing at all!

March 3, 2010

Warning: Prenatal Screens May Cause Unnecessary Worry

The results from our anomaly ultrasound came back and no genetic abnormalities were found!  I’ve read and was even told by the doctor that false positives with these screens are very high. We still have to visit with a genetic counsellor to discuss why the blood results came back positive for neural tube defects and to discuss our options should we want to further investigate the health of our little guy.

Options would include diagnostic testing through amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). Both of these procedures may provide additional information but they do come with a small risk of miscarriage. My husband and I have already decided that we’re not willing to take that risk, regardless of how small it may be. We’ve decided that we’re going to love our son no matter what so why bother going through more testing?

This news truly lifted a dark cloud that has been following me around for over a week. I found myself feeling very protective over my baby already. I wanted to do anything in my power to ensure his life wasn’t in jeopardy. I just personally couldn’t bring myself to think of losing him, even though we have yet to meet! Now I can put all of this worry behind me and move on with the pregnancy. I have a feeling this next half is going to be a lot better than the first half was.

March 1, 2010

20 Weeks Down, 20 Weeks to Go!

I’ve made it half way through the pregnancy! That’s right; I’m officially 20 weeks along. What a ride it has been so far and it’s hard to believe that the time has gone by already. It’s been 15 weeks since I found out and in that time my emotions have gone from shock to in love, my stomach has gone from flat to beach ball and my jeans have gone from perfectly snug to mocking reminders of who I “used to be”.

 Seriously though, I’m just going through the emotions that any woman would go through as she’s forced to witness her body change (OK most women). Until baby is actually here, it’s hard to remember some days that it’s all for a good cause.

 But the next twenty weeks will be less about me and more about the preparation; decorating the baby’s room, purchasing baby furniture, a stroller and baby seat, signing up for prenatal classes, taking care of myself through diet and exercise (oh right I was going to try yoga wasn’t I?) and whatever else needs to get done before baby comes along.

 It will certainly be an exciting (yet nerve-wracking) wait for baby. We know when his flight is due to arrive and now we just need to prepare and hope he makes a safe landing!

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