Friday, May 08, 2009
Pregnancy woes and tribulations
We spent about a year not being that careful about birth control and 4 months actively trying to get pregnant. That is a lot of time to have pregnancy, if not on top of your mind, then at least at the very back. With a big trombone and some loud friends, a grill and a keg.
Yesterday we heard the heartbeat. It was fast and strong and furious. Just like Carla, yet not at all like her. I didn’t tear up this time, but I couldn’t help smiling up at the ceiling when the wand in the gel found the galloping beat. Suddenly all those months of trying and the months after that came rushing toward me—oh dear god, we’re having a baby! Seeing the baby on ultrasound at 13 weeks didn’t make it feel quite as real as hearing the heartbeat, imagine that.
Today we’re going to the nurse to check my blood sugar and to get instructions on how to handle it if it’s above normal. This is not wholly unexpected, I was informed at birth that my pregnancy with Carla had been borderline diabetic, but because I was told at a point where there was nothing I could do about it I still get kind of pissed about the whole situation. This time around I knew to ask for a test early on and still they forgot to make a followup appointment after the stress test and had to be reminded. My blood pressure reads high but they are using a cuff that is too small for my fleshy arm so accuracy is iffy. I’d say distrust is a harsh word to use in this circumstance. Lets just say I’m keeping an eye on them and leave it at that.
All in all I am very happy to be pregnant and I can’t wait to meet this little girl/guy (my gut feeling? It’s a boy. But we’ll have to wait until June 1st, when we’re going in for that ultrasound, to make an educated guess.) But all things considered this is more likely than not my last pregnancy and I can’t be upset about that. We were so damn lucky with Carla that anything on top is just a bonus..
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In other news, I was contacted on facebook by my aunt who lives on Greenland! I haven’t had contact with that part of the family since forever. Haven’t seen any of them since I was a bratty 13 year old. It’s all so very exciting! After all these years you’d think I’d have a ton to say to my father, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and sister, but I don’t. Not much other than “Hi! It’s me. I’m the same, but I’m different. Welcome to this strange time in my life. It’s so good to see you!”