| Thriving |
It’s a wonder babies ever made it into this world in the past considering the strict guidelines a pregnant woman must content with nowadays.
If you take it to the extreme, even supposedly innocent alfalfa sprouts quickly become e-coli harboring perils of evil bacteria.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to take a step back and realize that babies born before my time of medical marvels and technology seemed to thrive under less than ideal conditions.
My Father-in-Law is only 60, and yet when he was born his parents didn’t have a modern car with amenities like heat or seat belts, let alone an industry approved car seat to ride home from the hospital in. He went home tightly bundled in a buffalo skin blanket in a sleigh towed by a horse. I kid you not.
My Mother-in-Law fed both of her babies 2% milk from birth because of all things shameful and treacherous, breastfeeding was discouraged and her babies were allergic to formula. I listened to this statement with irritable dismay because I have taken it for granted that there are now soy based or hypoallergenic cows milk formulas that are hydrolyzed to reduce the risk of allergens for mothers who choose not to breastfeed their babies. I just couldn’t understand how a medical professional would advise the use of low fat milk and how that wouldn’t totally deprive babies of the very nutrients they need to develop normally, you know, without stunting the development of their left brain lobe or preventing the formation of their funny bone. Apparently though, my husband endured because his brain appears to be of normal bigness and his bones seem to have ossified in all the right places because he is not bowlegged and his elbows bend the right way.
And here I am, about to enter my eighth month of pregnancy, equipped with breasts that I plan to use to feed my child, a car that emits heat, blankets made of cotton and laundered in Ivory Snow and a car seat that meets all safety guidelines. I have already had nine ultrasounds, including two dating, one Nuchal Translucency, a Level II Anatomy scan, a Fetal Echocardiogram, a viability scan and three Biophysical Profiles tests with six more scheduled before this pregnancy is over. Add on top of that the blood tests done every 48 hours in the early weeks of this pregnancy to monitor for an impending miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, the countless vials of blood to test for things I can’t even pronounce and the diligent consumption of prenatal vitamins and Omega 3 supplements, and I sound like a walking incubation laboratory for the modern mommy. And yet, none of this has given me any security that I am taking a baby home with me in 6 weeks.
I do find comfort in the close monitoring and access to such diligent prenatal care, but experience, common sense and perspective tells me that even the most prudent monitoring and advancements in technology doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.
Common sense and perspective also tells me however, that babies do tend to thrive in even the most less than ideal conditions.
I need to remember that. And I need to remember that as of today, this baby is still thriving. Labels: Pregnancy |
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It's amazing how advanced things have become, and hard to imagine how the human race has come this far without those advances for millions of years. You are a wonderful mommy, doing all you can do to help your baby thrive! :)
My mother found that a little whiskey in my formula did wonders for my disposition. Do you want me to get the recipe?
You are doing great! You are doing what you feel is best, and it is better than most! Not sure how our parents and grandparents survived!! I cannot wait until your agony is over and you bring home that baby...but then you will be worrying about other stuff. I worry everyday about my kids and what could happen. I am praying, praying, praying!
He went home tightly bundled in a buffalo skin blanket in a sleigh towed by a horse. I kid you not.
You wacky Canadians!
You're right. Chance is on your side. I can't believe the time is coming so close, and I can't wait for baby pictures. ((Karla))
I am so glad to hear he is doing so well!
And it is amazing how much we take for granted with our technology. You would think we would be having super-babies or something!
my sister is expecting twins in may and i was shocked to find out that carseats now have an expiry date...i couldn't believe it! who knew? well possibly only me but I was still shocked..LOL
I had twin girls 12 years ago today at 27 weeks(3 months early) and they are perfect!!! I mean all odds were against them and they have beaten them all. Seems like you are doing great!!!
I'm sure everything will be fine!! Good luck as always... you are in my prayers. You're strong and your baby will be just as strong. :) (((HUGS)))
I am with Julia, I can't wait to see pictures of this little angel!! I am tired of being patient.
A friend of mine has a new baby and she keeps spitting up. She mentioned putting her on whole milk at 5 months old. I almost passed out and begged her to see her family doctor before she made any rash decisions. Its hard to believe what has changed over the years, but you know what is even funnier? My parents think I am crazy for worrying about these little things because "I turned out **fine** and I drank Carnation Milk" etc. etc. ETC. I am so sick of hearing that expression.
This pregnancy has flown by! How come mine couldn't go so quickly?
I broke as many rules as can be broken when prego (aside from the big no-no's like drinking and drugs and stuff), especially this last time. I drank more caffeine than I did when not pregnant, and ate whatever I felt like, even after they told me I had diabetes. Nonetheless, he came out perfect. The reason I wasn't worried was b/c I remember stories my mom tells me about her pregnancies w/me and my brother, and how she didn't know caffeine was bad and all that good stuff. She fed us formula, and they didn't even have DHA and ARA in it then. Yet, I think I came out alright (although that could easily be debated). My brother has problems, but I think those are more from the sperm he was made from than what my mom did while prego!
Your baby is so lucky that you care so much, and when he gets here, you'll totally feel every single thing you did for safety's sake was worth it!
I shudder to think of all the time I put in on my bicycle without the benefit of a helmet.
Or shoulder pads.
Or knee and elbow pads
Or a Kevlar vest
Safety goggles, steel toe boots, suit of armor, personal force field, self up righting gyroscope, bicycle air bags, seat harness ….
Ok, Ok, glad to hear you are all doing well, though.
Wow..just 6 more weeks. Woohoo..
When I was born I had to walk home 6 miles in a blizzard towing my mother behind me on a piece of cardboard. Luckily it was only uphill half the way or I don't think I would have made it..
Gosh, this pregnancy has gone by so quickly!
I can't wait to see pictures of this perfect little creature.
<3
Karla..
I contuie to think about you and your little boy daily. I am so happy to hear that your baby is thriving. I hope you are soaking in the last 6 weeks of this pregnacy as much as you possibly can. You'll contuie to be in my thoughts..
I have always wanted to say to those who say:
"I did _________ and I turned out fine!"
"Well, maybe you DID turn out fine, but the ones who did NOT turn out fine aren't here to tell us about it!"
Karla, I hope the next six weeks are peace-filled for you.
Your little boy is fine. Dwell in that thought.
Judy - www.judyh58.blogspot.com
Only thirty-fve years ago, I wasn't allowed in the delvery room, and we didn't know the gender of the kid until she popped out. The explosion of both knowledge and information is absolutely astounding.
Even in a few short years the advice is changing. I was advised to start my babies on solids fairly early on, and my sister, whose daughter is one, was told that you can wait until they seem ready for it. She didn't start until about 8 months, which made it a whole lot easier because she didn't have to put up with the really messy stage.
It is amazing looking back at how things were done all those years ago. I had EXTREME milk allergies as a newborn and couldnt tolerate anything....you know what they eventually put me on? GOAT'S MILK.....can you say baaaaaa!? LOL
I know all too well that life is scary and no matter hwo much you prepare you only really have so much control. I believe this sweet baby is going to come out kicking and screaming and ready to eat like a little champ. I can't wait to see pics of your happy family together. It will be amazing.
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Tuesday, November 07, 2006
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Anonymous : November 07, 2006 
