I just found out that a woman who was due a week behind me just gave birth to her baby girl at 26 weeks, 1 day. Both mom and baby seem to be doing well according to her post. In fact, the doctor's were pretty shocked at just how well little girl is doing. However, they have been warned that this could just be a sort of "honeymoon" period and more complications may arise in a day or two. The new mother seems to be a very strong woman and is taking the whole experience very well and optimistically, which is an incredibly admirable attitude. I'm sure that if our situations were reversed, I would be a mess right now.
It is shocking to hear about something like this and a little bit surreal because it makes it more of a real possibility for myself. I am realizing that she is only a week different from me and that it could very well have been me going in to pre-term labour and having my baby three months too early. It could still be me. I have three months left which leaves plenty of time for something to happen.
You know, you can never fully relax in pregnancy. You think you can. You hit certain points and think everything is okay from then on only to find out about something else and another hump you have to get over. First it is the 12 week mark when your highest risk of miscarriage passes, then the half-way point at 20 weeks, and then you hit the 24 week mark when baby is considered viable and doctors will do everything in their power to keep him alive. At every one of those marks you think, "phew, I'm safe. Smooth sailing from here. I've got nothing to worry about." But you really aren't out of the safe zone until you reach full-term at 38 weeks. There are milestones that you pass that give you and your baby that much more of a chance, but it is only a temporary relief and then you are holding your breath again until the next milestone. Even so, things happen at the last minute, or complications arrive at delivery. And if you really think about it, anything can happen at any time over the entire span of your child's life. You can never fully take that breath of relief ever again....
Wow, I'm starting to scare myself. It really puts in to perspective that you can't take anything for granted when it comes to those you love and you have to appreciate every moment with them because it can change at any time. I know that every little kick and jab to the ribs right now is seeming infinitely more precious. I hope to be feeling those kicks on the inside for at least 11 more weeks. After that it is all bonus and little man can make his appearance at any time.
I am feeling incredibly blessed that I have had such an easy and healthy pregnancy so far and that my baby has been doing so well, too. However, I won't take for granted that it will remain that way because anything can happen. Even though everything looks good now, this can quickly change. Despite being fairly easy going and relaxed, I'm not going to slack off or take any chances. I'm going to keep taking good care of myself and my baby so that if anything ever did go wrong we would both have the best possible chances of pulling through.
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst, and always keep an good attitude. And even if something doesn't go according to plan (like little one being born 14 weeks early), it doesn't always mean the end of the world. As I reported in the first paragraph, baby girl seems to be doing incredibly well and although you can never know for sure, her chances at a healthy life are looking very good.
And just to reassure everyone in case anyone is worrying after all that, my baby is very much alive, healthy, and very active in there. In fact, somtimes I wonder if this little guy ever sleeps. I have a feeling that there will never be a dull moment in my life once he is here (and especially once he figures out how to get around!).
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