March 12, 2010

Big Changes Ahead but I’m Feeling Them Already!

I attended a friend’s stagette Saturday night. I had a blast but I also felt a little awkward.

Maybe I felt “awkward” because I was wearing maternity jeans (that kept falling down!) while everyone else was dressed up in cute little dresses and heels. Or maybe it was because I sipped ginger ale as everyone sipped martinis. Or perhaps it was all the curious hands that kept gravitating to my growing bump all night (I really don’t mind!). Yes I felt a little awkward because I didn’t feel quite like the old me.

I never thought about the huge transition having a baby would be. It’s not like when I got married, all we really did was formalize what we already had. But now that I’m having a baby, I’m not only changing the dynamic of my marriage but also the dynamic of my everyday life. Yes, I can go out with my girlfriends while I’m pregnant but not like I used to. And when the baby arrives, it will be some time before I’ll be ready or able to take a night out for myself.  

I know my life is about to change but it’s when I’m around friends who aren’t pregnant or moms that I realize just how much it will change! But even though I can no longer keep my eyes open past midnight on a Saturday or spontaneously accept dinner and movie invites once the baby arrives, I am anxiously looking forward to this new time in my life.

Yes I’m going to be a mom with all of these responsibilities. Of course I’m nervous and even scared (I’ll admit to having mini panic attacks every now and then!). But the important thing I should remember is that I’m going to still be my old self. I’ll still have fun and like the same things as I do now, but with a twist. I’ll be a mom! A mom to a special little human being who will help me see the world through different eyes and who will entertain me in new and different ways.

March 10, 2010

I’ve Never Been Good with Surprises...Why Change Now?

I never thought twice about finding out my baby’s sex.  I am an incessant planner and so I knew that keeping the gender a surprise would only bring on unnecessary stress.  For me, knowing whether I am going to have a son or daughter, affects how I’m going to decorate the nursery, the colour of the stroller, the colour of the crib (white or dark wood?) and how I’ll refer to him before he’s born ( “How’s my little guy?” vs. “how’s my princess?”, I need to know these things!).  

Another reason I wanted to know the sex of my baby was so I can quit referring to him as “It” and start referring to him by his name. Yes, I’ve already named him. No I’m not sharing his name on this blog (sorry!).

While I believe there are many benefits to finding out the sex ahead of time, I realize other people see countless benefits in keeping this bit of information a surprise. Because of this, I’ve compiled a list of advantages on both sides:

Keeping it a Surprise

• The tradition of the doctor or midwife announcing it’s a boy or girl after a long pregnancy and labour.
• The excitement of anticipating a big surprise.  How many big (positive) surprises do we get as adults now that Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy long ago lost their magic?
• Not being bombarded with just pink or blue at your baby shower.
• Making it fun by making bets with family and friends and play fun gender guessing games right up until the end!
• Having a big incentive to get through labour!

Finding out the Sex

• The curiosity is too much to bear.
• Many surprises emerge as it is during the labour so why add one more?
• Naming your baby before he or she is born, providing you with more time to connect (and you only have to think up one name rather than two).
• Receiving boy or girl items at your baby shower rather than all neutral stuff.
• Decorating your nursery accordingly.

March 8, 2010

We Were Counseled about Genetics Today

My husband and I met with a genetic counselor today (an appointment that was set up after my MSS test came back positive).  Although we were told that the ultrasound came back with no signs of genetic abnormalities, I was still nervous to attend this meeting. Since I was caught off guard with the news my baby had an increased risk of being born with a neural tube defect, I was bracing myself for more surprises!

As it turned out we weren’t met with any surprises. In fact, we were provided with information we already knew; that the baby looked great on the ultrasound and no abnormalities were found. We were also provided with information about further diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis and the chance to ask any questions. We had already made up our mind that diagnostic testing wasn’t necessary. We feel we know enough and are going to love our son no matter what, so what’s the point?

While I personally felt this meeting was a waste of time, as we were supplied with the same information we already knew. We did learn a fact that we weren’t yet aware of.

I’m half French Canadian (my father’s French Canadian, my mother was born in Australia) and when the counselor found this out, she informed me of a possible genetic disease called Tay-Sachs. Apparently the disease, although rare, has been found in French Canadians, Eastern Europeans and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. When babies are born with Tay-Sachs, they appear ‘normal’ at first but then quickly become ill, eventually dying by the age of two. As I mentioned, this disease is very rare and both parents have to be carriers. I was offered a blood test to determine if I’m a carrier and so was my husband but I quickly declined this offer. First of all my husband isn’t French Canadian, Eastern European or Jewish and secondly, I have had enough of waiting and worrying. All I’m going to do now is sit back, relax and wait for the baby to arrive!

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