Yes, I’ve been feeling anxious about Espen's arrival. I think a lot of it has to do with the notion of a “due date.” It’s hard for me to remember that I’m not technically overdue yet—and I won’t be overdue for a few more weeks! A true overdue pregnancy is one that goes beyond a full 42 weeks. My EDD (which stands for estimated due date) really is just an estimate, and the fact that I'm still nursing Eowyn (which can effect ovulation) means the EDD can be especially hard to pinpoint.
Still, I’m asked frequently by well-meaning, caring friends and family why the baby isn’t here yet. I ask myself that, too--especially since Eowyn came a week early! The fact that Meredith had her baby on Monday causes me to wonder even more.
This time around, I’m not that uncomfortable, and I know that babies are a lot easier to care for while they’re still inside your body. My main concern is for Espen’s health, but I also know that the risk of complications from a true overdue pregnancy is actually very low, and the chance of me going truly overdue is very low as well. I still feel Espen move plenty, and all the other vitals check out fine at my office visits.
Mostly, it’s that I’ve got to combat this expectation that he should have been here by now. You can pray that I trust the Lord for Espen, and that I will take this extra time as a gift. I’m also thankful that I’m seeing a midwife, who doesn’t pressure me at all about induction.
I need to cultivate patience in myself.
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Yes, patience. That most elusive of virtues... who spends all her time with Grace, also difficult to find sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThe beautiful thing is that you're young and healthy and you've had a healthy, normal pregnancy and delivery and therefore there is NO reason whatsoever not to relax and, yes, enjoy this last bit of time when it is as easy as it is ever going to be to take care of him. And he will come when he's ready and he will be perfect. I'm looking forward to it, but as you've reminded me, I can wait. He needs to come in his own time.
His oldest cousin is sick right now. Just wait until you get a call from the school nurse that your normally healthy child has suddenly spiked a fever amidst a crowd of children who are not normally healthy. When your child is somehow a stand out and when the nurse says, "I've been trying to get a hold of you... " it's difficult not to request a police escort.
It's a normal and wrenchingly frequent ear infection. He'll be fine. But I hate that he missed his Valentine's party at school because he was looking forward to that. He was so adorable filling out all his Valentines last night.
When they're babies and they wail because they're sick your heart breaks because you know they don't understand. Bad news: it doesn't get less heartbreaking when they're seven (I'm sure you know... I'm just saying). *sigh* There is so much joy and so much to enjoy and look forward to... but some things just NEVER get easier!
I've seen pictures of Espen!! He's beautiful! Congratulations! I can't wait to see him in person... whenever that may be! I love you guys!
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