It’s come to my attention that when I let a couple of days go by without posting some of you may be freaking out a bit that I’ve had the baby. Nope. Not yet.
As of yesterday, everything is status quo. I’m not even a little bit dilated and the baby is still very much heads up. It’s looking more and more like a planned c-section is how we’re going to go.
Once again, I will remind readers:
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! DO NOT tell me all the things I can do to turn this baby and how c-sections are evil and hospitals are evil and doctors are evil and this is all some kind of plot so my doctor can go play golf. This is my birth and my baby and what’s right for you and your family may not be right for me and mine. PLEASE! Keep your opinions to yourself. THANK YOU!
I’m sure someone somewhere has done a study on the phenomenon I like to call “let’s scare the crap out of the poor pregnant girl who doesn’t know what she’s gotten into but because I’ve done this at least one time I have all the answers to every question about pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, etc and know EXACTLY the RIGHT THING this poor pregnant girl should do if she loves her baby just a little bit.” Have you had any experience with this? Georgie tells me that I should just tell people that I’m stopping in at the spa for my mani-pedi-massage right before the c-section then immediately handing the baby off to a nanny who will proceed to feed the kid lead paint chips morning noon and night. THAT’S how much we love our baby.
Please, I pray I won’t be like that once I’m on the other side of this.
Meanwhile, things are in hyper drive around here. I’m not going to say when the birth will occur but suffice it to say we won’t be seeing the Ides. I mean, I will tell you all when it happens, but I’m not saying now. This morning I woke up around 6AM with all those lovely anxiety thoughts: what if I don’t love my baby? What if I become addicted to pain pills? What if I bleed to death on the table while my husband and new baby watch? LOVELY. Then, to calm myself down, I started thinking about all the things I’d LIKE to do before the baby comes. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Actually, a pedicure IS on that list.
Ann reminded me that I’m in that “last time” mode. Like, this is the last time I’ll ever get to take a crap by myself. Or the last time I’m ALONE. EVER. Or at least for the next 20 odd years. 😉
I did start a new project. Because that’s what every knitter should do right before they give birth. Add another project to the ones already started. It’s another FAMILY blanket and it’s garter stitch and if the weather wasn’t so shitty and it wasn’t so crazy dark out I’d take a picture. Hopefully tomorrow. I’m enjoying it and I think along with the denim log cabin these will be the perfect projects to knit during baby’s first few months. Please, whatever you do, don’t shatter the delusion. Thank you.
PS – Go congratulate these fabulous knitbloggers: Julia and Amy are having babies too! YAY!
Listen, don’t let anybody fool you:
Whatever method of birth results in a happy healthy baby and a happy healthy mama, that’s the best birth plan for you.
Period.
Now, off you go, to the mani/pedi shop. For the last time… 🙂
Love Georgie’s reply!
Hi, I didn’t comment the last time you posted about this because I wasn’t sure you wanted to even hear reassuring things, and to be honest, I didn’t have the time or energy that day to write a note.
Today, however, I would like to share with you that I had a planned c-section for breech with my first daughter, and I was very sad about it before the fact because we had planned a natural childbirth and taken Bradley classes. Luckily, I had plenty of time to come to terms with reality and in the end we had a lovely birth and a healthy family. C-sections aren’t necessarily that bad!
I was even able to have my drug-free birth with my second daughter, and that was also a great experience in its own way. Whatever happens, you will be just fine. You are totally right to surround yourself with positive thoughts at this point. Best wishes to you and your family!
You and G are going to be absolutely wonderful parents to this sweet little baby!!
I HIGHLY recommend a pedicure! 🙂
It did cross my mind… I have no personal experiences to share, only the hope that everything goes well for you and the baby and George.
Hi Cara – I’ve been a long-time reader of your blog, but I don’t usually (ever?) comment.
Just wanted to wish you the best on the upcoming birth. May your family be happy and healthy, and all good things come to you, the baby, and your Georgie.
I thought about replying the last time you asked people to not talk about the horrible things you are/aren’t doing, but stopped myself. Seriously, it’s your baby and your body and what is right for one person isn’t for another. I remember hearing one person talk about how they delivered their own baby at home in their living room on their own (the midwife was stuck in a blizzard), and how it was an amazing experience to cut the cord with kitchen sizzors. At that point I realized that everyone has a different idea of what birth is and that I was really glad I didn’t have to listen to any of them.
Also, c-section babies are awesome. I was one. If nothing else our heads are perfectly round at birth instead of being strangely shaped from squishing through the birth canal. Unfortunately it also means no baby-hawk (if they have hair of course, which I didn’t).
That Georgie, he’s a keeper. And you absolutely should have a pedicure, now!
What you need to do is make the best decision based on the information you have available. You need to do that for the next, oh, 24 years. Don’t listen to comments on the blog. You need to listen to yourself, and to Georgie, and people you trust.
Before my wisdom teeth were removed I heard some lovely stories of dry sockets…yep, I ended up with two dandy’s. I don’t tell icky stories, because I don’t want to scare someone.
You will be fine. My fear was not waking up when she cried in the night. The fear was not set aside, until the morning after my c-section, and my husband was bringing her down the hall to me, I didn’t know that, and I recognized HER cry. In an OB wing, I knew which cry was my daughter’s. It will be ok. Oh, and at some point, something will freak you out. I don’t know what it will be, but something will. It will probably be different for you, than anyone else you know, because we are all different. It will all be ok.
Delusions are made for pregnant women! Don’t listen to those mean, nasty stories. I think people who tell them are cruel. Enjoy your pedicure and spend some time daydreaming about how good it will feel to hold your new little one.
Hmmm…. my due date was March 14th, and I had a scheduled section on the 10th (um, 9 years ago). So, I may be a little biased, but March 10th is a *great* day to have a baby!
You will be alone again, no worries there, and you know, this parenthood thing just gets cooler and more amazing as each year goes by. Wow, what a ride!
BTW, I forgot to tell you that I received my roving (lot 15), and it is lovely! Thank you 🙂
I’m a big believer in everyone shutting the hell up unless asked for advice. Y’all will be great!
Good luck! The joy will be boundless. Sure, there will be other emotions, but first, foremost and always, the joy.
Don’t forget to pack some knitting for the hospital! I know, sounds nuts, but you just *might* have a moment or two when it would be nice to have on hand. I had about 5 minutes to knit and it prompted a lovely conversation with my nurse.
Best of luck for a beautiful birth. They do exist – I’m proof! Things might not go the way you planned, but in the end, if you’ve got a healthy baby, well, then things went quite perfectly, didn’t they?
I didn’t comment on this before…but I just wanted to send you some happy thoughts. I had a c-section with my first. Don’t listen to what anyone says…unless it’s good. When it comes down to it…you have the baby within you…you go into the hospital…you come home with a baby in your arms. That’s all that matters!
Ehhh… you need to do what you need to do
Who cares how they come out as long as they eventually do come out! LOL! Either way you just want a happy healthy baby and mom.
My (now) 16 year old teenager from hell, was a c-section and a beautiful baby. Then she grew up. It’s not the birth that should scare you… it’s that they grow up to be horrible teenagers from hell!
Is a supportive opinion OK? ‘Cause I practiced GP obstetrics for 10 years, and as much as I am into breastfeeding and natural and all the rest of it, if I were in your situation I would do exactly what you are doing without question. (I will, however keep shut about the details of why that is, which you probably are already well informed of.) You do what you believe in – it will all be OK. Really.
I understand you do not want to hear the yammerings of self-appointed experts who think they are just because they have previously birthed a baby. That means you would like my opinions and advice because I have never given birth. In that case, I must say that your garter stitch fabulousness will be perfect for early days and weeks of your new critter. I’m just trying to be silly with you. It really sounds like you have worked to be wise and prepared as possible in this great adventure. I hope you enjoy your pedicure. I suppose that a pedicure is probably a necessity at this point because you may not be able to tend to your tootsies at this point. I am just guessing. I really do not know much about this stuff. I haven’t even had a pedicure, much less any of the rest. Hope your day is great.
Oh Georgie – LOVE the sarcasm!!
Here is my advice Cara – just enjoy. 🙂
Hugs to you and Georgie!
I had a c-section and I swear it was the best thing ever! No pushing, no episiotomy, and my recovery was quick. Just don’t invite all your knit friends over right away. Laughing can be a bit painful afterwards!
I generally tell people that even being pregnant before doesn’t prepare you for being pregnant. Both my kids were c-sections and I much preferred the one without the labor beforehand. Everything will be fine and congratulations!
YEAH..Your having a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today is the 10th anniversary of my 1st C-Section. Man, the time has flown.
Dina is right….whatever ends with you and the baby being healthy is what counts.
Georgie’s comment reminded me of an episode of “Dirt” where a celebrity pretended to be PG, and pretended to have her baby, but had instead paid a surrogate.and in the end just handed the baby directly to a nanny.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record (are you even old enough to know the origin of that simile?), I had 2 c-sections, I was fine, the kids were fine, you will be fine, the baby will be fine, and G is clearly already very fine. Do not listen to busybodies or doomsayers.
Babies sleep a lot. You will have time to yourself, but, to be truthful, not much.
A friend of mine has 2 daughters 13 months apart (they are teenagers now), and when Taz was 17 months old and I was pregnant with Miss B and wondering how on earth I was ever going to cope when already I was getting nothing done, she imparted to me a piece of wisdom I have treasured ever since. She said, “You can’t get less than nothing done.”
(Does telling you not to worry, you’ll be fine, count as being a busybody? I don’t care. You’ll be fine, don’t worry.)
And one more word: Enjoy.
I may be biased, but I think breech babies delivered by c-section are the most beautiful & brilliant (if you hadn’t guessed, I have one – she was also an IVF baby). As the mom of an 8 week old – a log cabin is the PERFECT project. New babies tend to sleep a lot, just not hours in a row. I couldn’t actually sleep every time the baby did, so a plain sock was my project of choice, but I have a feeling you could log cabin in your sleep. Best of luck & don’t worry about the love thing – I don’t forsee any problems for you with that.
You poor thing. About the comments, I mean. Mean people suck. Oh, and you forgot about the tequila shots while at the mani-pedi. Telling people about heavy drinking while obviously pregnant usually stuns them into silence for a moment or two. Ask me how I know. The other one that works real well, is when your little person is having that temper tantrum, ask them if they want a beer.
I cracked up when I got to the part about the pedi. I made sure my feet were pedicured for every single doctor’s appointment throughout my pregnancy. i couldn’t bear the thought of having my feet in the stirrups unless they looked their best. Funny, huh? I’m SO EXCITED for you!
and paint chips? Yum!
I was totally wrapped up with the birth I wanted before my darling little guy came out. And when he did, man did he teach *me* a lesson about what it’s like to give up control and just surrender to the process! 🙂
You and the baby and Georgie (your gem of a man!) will be totally fine no matter what happens. All the worry (I, too, had terrible anxiety about not loving my baby and having postpartum depression, neither of which actually happened) and hand-wringing that we put into the preparation for birth evaporates the instant you see the little person that you made. I hope you enjoy the ride as best you can! I’m so happy for you and your growing family!
Go and get waxed down there while you’re in the salon. One of the most ludicrously annoying things about my (unplanned) section was how badly the nurses shaved me…they just took the top bit off, so I ended up with a little goatee beard, ick!
Cara, of course we know you’re only doing what’s best!!
But as a due-for-my-period-in-20-minutes young woman with no birth experience whatsoever, I am legitimately curious why it’s better to C than to wait and see? I would think if you’re not dilated then the little one’s not ripe yet?
Please don’t think this is a judgment – it is the exact opposite – just my complete and total ignorance and a real inquiry. I welcome any input from anyone.
you are going to be fine. the baby is going to be fine. everything is going to be fine. C-sections are good. my pregnancy was amazing. the birth experience was amazing. and yes i had a c-section. it will be ok.
Pedicure! That is something I must add to my pre-birth list. What a great idea.
Everything is going to be great, no matter how that baby makes its way out. And from one pregnant gal to another – I have a firm conviction that there WILL be time to knit. Even if it kills me! We can be optimistic, right?
I had a planned c-section because Bean was transverse. In normal-people language, that means sideways. It was fine. I was fine. She’s fine. I highly recommend the pedicure because they check your feet and legs alot right after you have an epidural and pretty feet make that much nicer! Also, take cheap but soft socks. I ended up losing one of my socks somewhere along the way. That would have been sad with a handknit pair.
I’ve probably told you this before, but whenever we are out and one of our childless friends asks where Bean is, we reply that we’ve left her at home in the dog kennel. (With a bottle of vodka and a book of matches.)
De lurking to say a healthy baby and Mom are the only things that matter and to all those folks out there telling you otherwise – i think we should thank out lucky stars that we live in the times we do and not when our great grandmothers had their children. Your scenario during those times would have been very dangerous indeed. Good luck to you – its an exciting and nervewracking time!
I had a c-section. I also had two kids the “regular” way. The c-section ROCKED! Way easier. Hope it is for you too.
oh i totally started knitting socks right before i had my girl lol so i h ave two socks without a pair and one half sock. Now if I had knit the same sock twice i would have had a pair to wear.. but NO i had to knit two different socks!
Deep breath, you will be fine. I hate to say it, but those lovely people who have such helpful information now, will continue their ‘helpfulness’ once you have the baby. I don’t think I’ve ever solicited so many unwanted opinions since I have had children. Sorry… but at least you are warned and not alone. 😉
I DO think you have the perfect post baby projects. Simple enough to be calming AND not tax a brain that is sleep deprived. And little squares will make you feel accomplishment. Perfect indeed!
I think moms, or everyone actually, try to be helpful. Generally. Although I really think some want to freak you out so they can watch.
You will have time to knit while the baby is small. The entire time that they keep you awake 😉
I’m kidding. If you breastfeed and feel comfortable propping the kid up you can totally knit at the same time. In fact it helped to keep me awake.
You.Will.Love.Your.Baby. You simply won’t be able to help yourself. He/she will wrap you around her/his little finger, and you’ll be powerless to resist.
My grown daughters drive me nuts – and I’d still throw myself in front of a train, fight off lions, and move heaven and earth to protect them.
Yeah. I’m still wrapped. 😉
Don’t you worry ’bout a thing, Mama.
Hey, babe, you’ll be all right. Hell, sometimes a Caesarean is just what’s needed, and if that’s how it is with you, then aren’t you glad a safe C-section is available? It’s a good life, isn’t it?
You’ll love your baby. And sometimes you’ll get to be alone and get manicures and pedicures. You’ll be great. You’ll be tired a lot, but that’s not the end of the world. No real worries (just the ones you dream up because, well, you’re human).
Dude, I don’t know JACK about babies so you are safe from me. Take care.
Mmmm… lead paint.
you’re baby is going to be awesome!
my sister and i were c-section babies and we’re the most normal people in our entire family.
my mom’s memory of waking up after it and the doctor shouting excitedly “you’ve got two girls!” is her favorite!
good luck lady!
Dude. I had two babies by c-section and they were both wonderfully healthy as newborns and we are bonded beautifully and breastfeeding (if you are so inclined) was not hindered at all and really, the recovery wasn’t that horrible either.
You’re getting wonderful practice blowing off the first wave of Motherhood Nazis, who feel as if you do not do everything their perfectly prescribed, completely self-aggrandizing way, you are somehow damaging your child. It’s total crap. Total complete sanctimonious crap.
I was overdue by a week and a half when I had my kid. I got so sick and tired of waiting that I had (separately) a manicure and pedicure in that time. I booked a hair appointment for after my doctor’s visit and then had to cancel it at the last minute as the kid finally decided to grace us with his presence.
Go do nice things for yourself. Start new projects. Enjoy your last few non-mum days. You deserve it – I mean, you *have* been carrying a child for the last nine months.
Oh, and as well as the lead paint chips, I hope you have been stocking up on all the other essentials – baby’s first crack pipe, baby’s first chainsaw and the indispensable children’s illustrated guide to electrocution.
heheh. yeah, it sounds like a lot of fun, all that help….
there’s a musical called Baby that ran on broadway in the 80s. (it didn’t do well – go figure, a musical that references morning sickness, a flop! who’da thunk??) there’s a number in it where three pregnant women in an ob/gyn waiting room compare stories of “helpful strangers” – it’s absolutely hilarious (and probably spot-on.)
the other day i was at the grocery and two little old ladies (not together) informed me that someone would steal my purse, which was in the cart about 2 feet away, and that i really should strap it to my body at all times. i felt immediately hostile, and all i could think about was how i’m not looking forward to unsolicited pregnancy advice. the first time i reach for a bag of lentils and some woman tells me to buy red lentils because green lentils will give the baby the farts or shorten its nailbeds or whatever – heaven help her.
I had 2 Cs because both my babies were breech. It was fine. The birthing experience is important but momentary. Enjoy these last few precious days…your life is about to change in incomprehensible ways.
darling, I would like the record to reflect that while I may have indeed mentioned this was the ‘last time’ phase, you were the one who brought up crapping. I was thinking more along the lines of …’this is the last Tuesday morning …..’ you know, more idyllic sorts of things.
You are RIGHT ON with the denim log cabin being a good project for a new momma. There were several times when my baby was a newborn that I had just a few minutes free for knitting, but I didn’t have any projects that I could just pick up and knit without hunting for needles and crap. Think “mise en place”, like for cooking, only with your knitting!
Have you been warned about the Alpha Mommies yet? They are the postpartum version of the Scare the Pregnant One brigade your dealing with now and Man can they be evil! They make the Heathers look like rank amateurs!
Good Luck!
Five years ago, when I was looking at a probable C-section, one of the docs pointed out that pregnant women are in a *state of health* which goes a long way toward a good recovery. Good luck and enjoy your sleep.
Cara – it’ll be fine – remember, I was there when you weren’t telling anyone that you were pregnant – yo those many months ago – all three of you will be sensational!!
had a c-section because of twins, did not even entertain the idea of natural as one guy basically thought my ribs were the way out. it went fine, quick and over in such a short time. and however it goes for you, whatever is done and scheduled, the end result is the same….your baby (babies in my case). it will be just right because it is all for about the baby and you. good luck, mama.
Oh, go get a prenatal massage. High priority. It feels sooooo goooooood.
I’m due any day now & when I read your post about your breech baby, I was upset for you. Then I realized that sometimes it’s the best way for baby to present. Everyone just wants the best for you! My baby turned breech about a week or two ago…it was excruciating 4 contractions(like labor, not just regular braxon-hicks) & her hiccoughs were at the top of my belly. For me, I know this was wrong & just did the knee to chest position for a few minutes and she flipped back (amazing at this point in the preg.!). I really hope all turns out well & you well enjoy the wonderful experience with your baby!!
Many blessings, Mrs. C.
Yeah, people can be thoughtless and stupid when it comes to “sharing” with pregnant women and new (and not so new) moms. We had an unplanned c-birth (I still love that term) with my daughter and I still get people coming out of the woodwork every once in awhile to ask if I even “tried” to have a “normal” birth. Sigh.
Here’s to *your* birth (however that happens) and your beautiful baby and wonderful hubby.
Oh, by the way, I had last time syndrome big time when I was pregnant–very funny. Then we had a whole house remodel when our daughter was less that 1 year old that slapped me out of that phase :).
I have a six week old and I still find time to knit. Not as much as I would like, but still it’s something. Garter stitch sounds like a great new mommy project. Enjoy your lasts, I think they are a fun little momento (last movie w/o kids, last meal out, etc).
All that matters is that there is a healthy baby when you are done, no matter how it gets out of you! Don’t worry too much about what happens after, you’ll have plenty of time to worry about that then!
Ah, it peeves me when people talk about “normal” or “natural” childbirth. As if surgical intervention to protect the health of mother and child are “unnatural”, or having some pain medications to ease coping with labor is “unnatural”. By those standards, having cavities filled or tumors removed would be “unnatural”. Back when all births were “natural”, women and babies faced serious danger from childbirth. We’ve come a long way, baby, and it sounds like you’re in excellent hands.
“let’s scare the crap out of the poor pregnant girl who doesn’t know what she’s gotten into but because I’ve done this at least one time I have all the answers to every question about pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, etc and know EXACTLY the RIGHT THING this poor pregnant girl should do if she loves her baby just a little bit.” Have you had any experience with this?”
Yes…yes I have. My twins just turned 1 and when I was pg with them (getting ready for my c-section) People would try to scare me all the time. At first I would cry and walk off. Then a friend of mine told me that if anyone tried to scare me I had the god given right to punch them in the face. She said “Your pregnant…you can get away with aything!”
I didn’t punch anyone..but I did threaten to and that was enough.
I was in the supermarket and some random woman started talking to me in line. When she started spouting horror stories I turned to her and very loudly said (while holding my belly)” You are upsetting me! Stop upsetting me or I will punch you in the mouth!” It was like the whole world stopped, everyone was looking at her and scowling. She left her cart and walked out of the store. It was then that three different men came over to me and asked if I needed help or wanted to sit down. One even offered to take my groceries to the car.
Remember that you have the right not to be scared.
And hey, if it’s an email or a comment left here…just send them a virtual punch in the mouth :o)
Chill girlfriend! Are we a little high-strung today?
I got no advice in any way shape or form for you but wanted to wish you all 3 well and all…
You go girl! I hope everyone listens to you and keeps their opinions and “tips” to themselves. And have relaxing pedicure- ask for an extra long massage- it’s totally worth it.
I was an OLD mother in the ’80’s (31 and 35) and found the whole process…..not awful. I had about 5 bad minutes. In fact, when my oldest was about 2, he dropped a can of beans on my flip-flopped bare foot and that hurt MORE than labor and delivery. Of course, after the can-dropping incident, I immediate=ly got pregnant again just to check.
I was right.
The can was way worse.
And you can totally knit. I had to give up my counted cross stitching for a few years, only because my littles would “holp” me by pulling off the labels.
But knitting? totally doable.
And you can read for hours.
And when they get older? They don;t have to nap. They can be the lookout for Mommy when Mommy naps.
And taking a bath alone is highly over-rated.
My friend had a baby December 2nd and spent the next three months knitting like a mad woman. I can’t believe the amount of knitting hse put out before returning to work a few days ago. There’s plenty of time early on when the baby sleeps a lot.
As my Dad likes to say… Opinions are like assholes. Everybody’s got one.
Cara,
Here’s an OB/GYN wishing you and Georgie a safe and happy delivery—no matter how it’s accomplished. Ask if you can play some Bruce in the OR during the cesarean; I’d let you 😉
Hi Cara
Sixteen years ago on March 3rd I had my in vitro triplets via c-section. It was glorious! One labor pain and I was off to the hospital or the delivery warehouse. There were six people for every baby times three babies and the usual number of doctors and nurses for me which equaled a block party.
My babies are 16 years old…I can’t believe it has gone by so fast, it was just a moment ago that I had them.
The very best to you and Georgie and your beautiful baby.
diana
I have been reading your site for about 3 months. I am a knitter about to turn 50!!!! I have four teenage boy’s!!! My last two are twins. I have gone both ways with the birthing process. It’s all as my husband said at the time ” The Greatest Show On Earth!” I know that you are doing the right thing for you & your family, You will be a fabulous Mom!!!! I will enjoy hearing about the birth of your child. God Bless You!! Tammie
ummm,hello?? you forgot that you will let your baby put plastic bags over its head for toys and never EVER buckle them into a seat belt of any kind-that oughta shut them up fer good!! 🙂
Oh, you are too hilarious! Someone told a friend of mine that once birth starts, the baby no longer uses the umbilical cord for nutrients and she could drink, smoke or whatever during birth. So she decided to drop acid. Yeah, she DROPPED ACID during the birth of her twins. Nothing I/You/anyother pregnant mother could do could top that. Nothing.
Eh, I had a c-section, it was fine — all I wanted was the end result. My cousin has given birth both ways, and she said if she had another, she’d choose the c-section. Don’t listen to the nay sayers.
Good luck!
I’d love to see the start of the new blanket!
Have a nice day!
Pretty soon your anxiety will switch to the dreams where you wake up convinced you’ve fallen asleep with the baby in the bed and smushed her. Even though I can SEE HER right there in the cradle, I still have to look all over the bed and make sure she isn’t in the pillow. Good times. Good sleep deprived times.
Any delivery that results in a healthy baby and momma is a fantastic one. I had a planned c-section with baby number two. It was pretty good. And the recovery was much quicker than with my first c-section which happened after a long labor and pushing. Best of luck to you and Georgie and little one.
Here’s to a pedicure. Here’s to a healthy baby.
Never fear, you will have a chance to take an uninterrupted crap, alone, well before your child turns 20 — as long as school is in session.
Everything will be wonderful. My (nearly) fifteen year old daughter was a scheduled C-section. She’s a normal, argumentative, happy, emotional teen now – just perfect. In the meantime, I’d trade knitting for sleeping if I was you. Sleep all you can now….
You will have pure joy when that baby comes along…
Stop worrying too much – there is that natural thing that happens (maybe not in the first minute) but everything will set up… And yes, you may have some moments but I believe your other half will be a good companion to rely on !!
A friend of mine told me to make sure I stole one last look at our house on our way out the door to the hospital. Because everything would look totally different after we returned. I did, and she was right. It was a cool moment to reflect on.
you will be just fine. I’ve had 2 c-sections. you will totally survive.
here’s my advice:
1) you will throw up after the spinal. you’ll feel much better afterwards. I promise
2) don’t say no to the pain meds, especially the IV ones, they work the fastest.
3) do whatever you have to do to poop after surgery. you’ll feel much better after
enjoy your new little baby.
-Amy
oh, I love the color you painted the room. BEAUTIFUL!
TOTALLY get the pedicure. There was nothing, nothing better toward the end of pregnancy, for me anyway, than getting the crap massaged out of my calves and the things that used to pass for ankles.
Unless they’d let me bring some haagen-daaz along with. 🙂
(Also: It’ll be fine!!! We’re all rooting for you, you’ll do great.)
I n ever understood why some women have to immediately start up with the terrible stories. There are plenty of good stories to tell, or failing that, keep their mouth shut.
I love your site, your pictures are lovely. Good for you for taking a stand and not be bullied folks. I am a nurse and I work in the women’s and infants dept. in the nursery, I also had a c-section with my one and only child. There is nothing evil about a c-section just like there is nothing evil about natural child birth, the goal is to have a safe and healthy outcome for both the mother and child and although “people” mean well with their opinions sometimes they forget the overall goal. Congrats to you and your family. May you have a safe and healthy c-section and if the baby decides to turn at the last min. may you have a safe and healthy vaginal birth.
You will all be great, in every way.
And once you’ve done the birth thing, if you feel like blogging about it, I would definitely be interested in your point of view (whichever kind of birth it is).
Ah yes..I remember..12.5 years ago in a hotel room in China..a knock on the door..a screaming, terrified 5 month old is placed in my arms and then it’s just my husband, our new baby and me. I remember looking into her eyes and then looking at John and saying “Oh f-ck..someone thinks we know what we’re doing! They just gave us a baby!”. After all the planning and waiting I was momentarily stunned. In 9 days she will be standing in front of our congregation and leading them in worship as she becomes a Bat Mitzvah.
I wish you a joyous birth and all I can say is, this parenting gig is totally worth the roller coaster ride.
Be well.
Good for you about what is right for your family! Only you and your hubby know.
Because parenting is such a fluid and individual thing, I think we scare the pregnant girl because those of us who have done it believe it validates our way, which IS the only way for our child(ren).
Your smiling, beautiful child will be validation enough and you will love him/her beyond any imagination.
Best wishes for a joyous and healthy (mom, dad & baby) delivery.
You know, I was so overwhelmed and tired with our first (twins, so that may have had something to do with it) that I didn’t *think* about knitting for the first few months after. *But* I have an SnB friend who comes *every* week to knit with her tiny one and she knits up a storm. She has shown me that this is all completely do-able. I have no doubt that you will be rockin’ on those “family” blankets in the baby’s first few months!
Ewww! The unsolicited advice that comes along with pregnancy is exactly why I wish it was possible to keep it a secret the entire time… I guess that’s just not possible, but wouldn’t it be nice?
Well I had a planned c-section (footling breech) and an unplanned c-section (after attempted VBAC) and both taught me that the baby is coming out one way or another and the best outcome is healthy baby. I remember thinking that my son (the unplanned C, now about to turn 5) was teaching me critical life lessons before he was even born.
Pack the knitting in the hospital bag – especially after a c-section, you’ll be there a few days and I guarantee you’ll have a few minutes when the baby is sleeping and you want some semblance of “normal” life.
Good luck and we can’t wait to hear the good news!
A crazy knitting mom of 4 delurks for a moment so I can add my voice to the chorus of well wishers with the intention that we drown out the sound of any pesky nay-sayers you might run into, here or on the street. Enjoy your baby!
I am WAY behind (crawling kid, you’ll understand soon – in a good way, it is SO much fun to see him discover things!) but I KNOW!!! It doesn’t get any better, unfortunately, after the birth stories it’s the “oh just wait until he’s doing such-n-such”. Yes, childbirth isn’t easy (regardless of how it happens) and parenting isn’t easy, but if either were easy they wouldn’t be SO rewarding!!! I don’t know why people get so much joy in sharing horror stories!
I loved having a c-section. No pain, and I kept my coochie from the blow-out.
You’re bold typed warning makes me think of a joke:
3 Southern Women are sharing a room in the maternity ward, talking about their babies when the first one says:
“My husband gave me this fur coat as a gift for having our little child here.”
And the third woman says: “That’s nice” (use a drawl, it’s funnier).
The second woman says:
“My sweet husband gave me this beautiful huge diamond bracelet as a gift for having my sweet girl.”
And the third woman says: “That’s nice”.
The other two women look at the third and ask her what her husband gave her.
She pauses and states “He gave me charm lessons.”
Looking perplexed the two women note that this isn’t that great of a gift.
The third woman then says: “He gave me charm lessons so I would say ‘That’s nice’ instead of ‘go fuck yourself’.”
***
First, it’s much funnier when I tell it in person 😉
Second, consider this when you receive A LOT of advice about birth and child rearing.
All the best to you!
I hope this doesn’t qualify as one of those annoying comments, because I’m so excited for you I can’t stand it. We have very similar stories. I would just say something to your doctor about mani/pedi before c-section. I had both and it was fabulous (no worries here about babies and fumes, LOL), but I got in trouble because those little pulse monitor things they clip on your fingers and toes for surgery are supposedly unable to read through polish? Maybe it was just a goofy nurse at my hospital, but it couldn’t hurt to run it by them.
Congratulations, and totally ignore me if I’m a pain in the butt.
I’ve got some interesting stats for you (not horror or telling you what to do):
Ladies carry babies like their mamas (you were breech, your baby is breech – go figure).
The majority of first time mamas don’t don’t ‘drop’ their babies until labor starts.
The majority of breech babies turn head down by/at the onset of labor if they are allowed to go into labor on their own (just something to think of).
I second Annapolis’ thoughts on the mani- concrete paint job they do at salons… lol
Good luck in whatever you and your family decide is the right choice for your situation.