Some women have easy pregnancies.
I know this because, for the first half of my pregnancy, I was one of them. I heard so many horror stories from other moms who threw up daily (or many times a day) for months on end, who were hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum because they couldn’t even keep water down, who struggled throughout their pregnancies in misery. I was grateful that despite some morning sickness, and a yucky virus–I sailed through my first trimester, and part of my second, unscathed. For the most part, I enjoyed pregnancy to the hilt! I listened to all my birth podcasts, read tons of blogs about baby’s development week-by-week, and devoured any book I could get my hands on about natural birth.
I thought I had this pregnancy thing figured out!
I remember the days when my pre-natal appointments were fun. The days when my midwife would record my weight, chat with me about how I was feeling, pull out the plastic model showing how big the baby was that week, and then cheerily send me on my way.
These days, because of my complete placenta previa, my appointments focus on far weightier topics such as: exactly what I should do if I start bleeding, how many bleeding episodes I can have before they have to deliver, what a c-section will entail, and preparing me for the increased, albeit small, risk of needing a hysterectomy.
At fifteen-weeks pregnant, my dreams for this pregnancy centered around my ideal natural birth. Now, at 31 weeks pregnant, my dream is that I will make it to my scheduled c-section without bleeding, that baby will be healthy, and that during the birth they can stop the bleeding and not have to resort to a hysterectomy.
Can we please go back to the days of light-hearted appointments?
The sonographers, the midwives, and the internet told me that 99% of previas move, and that I didn’t have any risk factors for even causing a previa. The fact that my placent never has budged, is just a fluke. Luck of the draw.
The truth is, being in the 1% who struggle with this complication has forever changed how I look at pregnancy.
Every day feels precious. My bumpdates have stopped being fun little anecdotal posts, and now serve to highlight another week down: with every week that passes by without complications, I feel a palpable relief. As if every week I make it in this pregnancy is a gift: I made it one more week without bleeding, and one more week without a baby in the NICU.
My Caesarian birth is scheduled: I only have six and a half weeks left in this pregnancy. Six and a half weeks to keep this baby inside of me. Six and a half weeks to practice trust, and keep myself busy enough to occupy my fretful mind. Six and a half weeks until this sweet little person is here.
The past few weeks, this pregnancy’s focus has been on all the do-nots soberly outlined by my midwife: do not exercise, do not get dehydrated, do not lift anything, do not wait to go to the hospital, do not do anything strenuous, do not take this lightly. In the midst of the fear, I am trying to remember my own personal list of do-nots, to make it through the next few weeks: do not worry, do not lose heart, do not stop praying, do not take this pregnancy for granted, do not live in fear, do not wish away this season.
Even in the midst of the worry, I am intensely grateful. So grateful that baby is healthy. So grateful that I have a large support network. So grateful that I married a man who makes it his job to not only work full-time, but also keep the house running, and keep me in a constant state of giggles. So grateful that my job isn’t strenuous, so that I can keep on working. So grateful that I am not on bed rest. So grateful that I have made it this far.
This pregnancy hasn’t gone according to my plans. It has had a lot more fear, mourning, and risks than I ever could have prepared for, but we are in the final stretch. It won’t last forever.
Until that baby’s cry is heard, this pregnant mama is taking it one step at a time. One day at a time. One bumpdate at a time. Accepting help, saying the prayers, and waiting. Until the day when the delivery is over, that stubborn placenta is no longer a worry, and we have a fresh little baby to cuddle.
I’m praying for you, Bethany! What a profound way to really hold onto God tightly. I hope that He fills all of you with deep peace and trust in these next several weeks!
Thank you, Anne Marie!
Your posts are going to be so helpful to another Momma someday who is experiencing the same things. I’ve been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and I’m hoping for the best case scenario for you and baby!
Thank you, Autumn!
One day at a time is all you can do, focus on the minutiae and it’s amazing when you look back and see how far you’ve come.
You have a wonderful attitude mama! I’m sorry this has been hard but you’re a true inspiration <3
Thank you, Laura! One day at a time, is the best advice. 🙂
I am so sorry this pregnancy has been tough. Like you my first was a dream and then the second came and it was a roller coaster of scary thoughts, hospital visits, and tons of fear. I too had to have a scheduled c-section and I thought it was the end of the world. I was afraid that I would not have the euphoric moment when the baby had finally arrived and let me just say, that could not be further from the truth. As soon as my son was out I burst into tears. I could not stop sobbing. It was a precious moment and I should not have questioned whether that moment was going to be special. I got through the pregnancy with lots of prayers, being very open and honest with my husband (so he knew my struggles), and thanking the Lord for every day that he allowed me to care for my son. Once I started focusing on the positive aspects of each day the worries became less and less. I will be praying for you! Thank you for sharing your heart!
I am so sorry that your second pregnancy was so tough! It really is no fun to be worried about all the “what-ifs”. Thank you for sharing your scheduled c-section story! I have been able to find so few stories about scheduled c-sections, and your story gives me strength. I am so glad that you had that euphoric moment, and I am hoping that we will as well! Thank you for advice, Elizabeth, it really does give me hope!
You’re a champion, Mama L. I’m so sorry this pregnancy took a such a rough turn. You are handling it with such wisdom, it is really inspiring to read along with your thoughts. Everything you write speaks out truth and hope. You and Baby L are in my prayers.
Thank you, Katie! I so loved following along with your pregnancy journey, and I think the blog post you wrote about Labor and Delivery was one of the most influential things I’ve ever read about birth! I am hoping, that even if I have to have a c-section this time, that I can have a VBAC with my next pregnancy. Thank you for all your support!!
Hugs to you, dear girl. You have the fortitude to see this through, and you’re doing swimmingly in the meantime. Love you two (three!)
Thanks Auntie! Love you guys!
Cling hard to God, listen to your midwife’s advice and know that you and your hubby CAN do this. 🙂 Praying for you.
Thank you! We will definitely have to set up a time to talk. I would love to hear about your experience!