(As a plus sized preggo,
and maybe it's just the season....I feel like a citizen of whoville.
The guy in the middle, in the purple suit....yeah. The round one....)
This was the first ultrasound my Hubby couldn't make, so I had my sister join me. She expressed interest in seeing an ultrasound early in the pregnancy, and I was super excited that she got the opportunity, but I was nervous my husband would miss something important. And OH did he! The first image that came on the screen was the top of the cranium, which is a typical measurement they take at every ultrasound. I joked about how it's a "big'n" because both Daddy and me have big heads, although mine is mostly ego. The tech chuckled and then began taking the measurements. He checked my chart multiple times before saying "You weren't kidding!" Not exactly the most reassuring thing that he could've said, but he continued with his measurements. He asked me if I was sure that I was only 31 weeks along. I said "um...yeah..." He then informed me that he was measuring 4-5 weeks ahead of schedule. There is only one possible date that could've been the magic moment, and according to that date, I was only 31 weeks. An average fetus at that age weighs approx. 3.5 lbs. My Johnny is over 5lbs according to the measurements they took.
My sister couldn't stop giggling. I couldn't stop my anxiety from rising. I thought to myself "He's coming on Christmas....He's gonna be a December baby...I DON'T EVEN HAVE A CRIB FOR HIM YET!!!" The tech asked me when my next check up was and I told him that very afternoon. He encouraged me to ask about bumping up the due date. I didn't like this. I'm not ready yet! I had 8 more weeks, not just 4!
That afternoon I went to the checkup and asked the Dr. about the surprising size of my baby boy. He explained that it doesn't necessarily mean he's coming early. I started to breath easier. He explained that the size of the fetus doesn't have anything to do with the age. His internal organs and development of those organs are still only 31 weeks old. "So I can still expect him late January?" He said most certainly. Then it sunk in. If he's 5 lbs now, there's a very real possibility of having a 10 lbs child if he waits till late January. All of a sudden, my relief was gone.
Seeing my face, and knowing that I'm a first time momma, prompted the Dr. to ask, "Well, how big were you when you were born?" I told him I didn't want to talk about it. Then mumbled out 9lbs 7.5 oz. He chuckled and said simply "This is grandma's revenge!" Doesn't make me feel better, doc, but thanks! All in all I can't complain. His heart is strong and bigger is better than too small, so I'll count my blessings. All 5 lbs.
I didn't let my HUGE bundle keep me from Black Friday Shopping either. I was able to score the only deal in the sales papers for babies: a travel system! So Johnny has a stroller and infant car seat ready to go! Still no crib, but we're working on it. Hubby thinks its awesome that our son is so "advanced." That's the nice way to put it, I guess!
However, expectant fathers, I do have words of caution for you. DO NOT COMPARE YOUR PREGNANT PARTNER TO AFRICAN WOMEN! My husband watched a documentary on child birth in different cultures, and he likes to bring up the fact that some cultures in Africa, a woman would work to harvest the crops all the way up to labor. When it was time to give birth, they would go to the side of the field, dig a birthing ditch (a shallow hole) and have the baby in the squatting position. After passing the child around to the rest of the working women, to welcome him into the world, the mother would then strap the child to her back, or chest, and continue harvesting the crop. Great. Awesome. Love that I am a big Americanized wimp of a girl and plan to take off 6 weeks minimum from work in order to recuperate and bond with my little one. He keeps urging me to rethink pain meds as well. I started to say "well we'll see how intense labor is, natural childbirth isn't uncommon." Then I found out I had a potential bowling ball in my future. We'll see how fast I call for an epidural.
But honestly? I am not an African woman. Please don't compare me to them, because yeah, I know you're joking, but it also makes a joke out of my inadequacy. I would love to have the kid, and keep on trucking, but thanks to modern medicine and first world country conditions, I have been spoiled. And thankfully so.
OH! and giving a time limit on labor? That's also a big no no, gentlemen. 45 minutes is not a reasonable time to labor through your first child. Love your partner, encourage, reassure, tell her how beautiful she is. Bite your tongue if you have to. Because you never know when a mood swing might hit and turn your usually cool and roll with the punches partner into a sobbing mess when all you were doing was making a stupid joke that she would've found chuckle worthy had there not been a belly buddy inside making her crazy.
I love my husband, I do. I also usually enjoy his sense of humor. I cannot wait until I can chuckle at his silly, stupid jokes again.
Until Then,
Big Momma
