Plethora of Everything

    Being pregnant is a magical, surreal experience for most women.     It's a treasured time of life full of special moments, memories and one that provokes a feeling like no other.     It's also something many women experience only once in a lifetime.     So remember this next time a perfect stranger asks you when you're due or what you're having,  or when the 60-something-year-old-lady that cleans your office comments on your gravid state at least twice a day, always with a sweet smile on her face, or when the lady at the gas station nicely reminds you caffeine isn't good for the baby as you attempt to buy a latte on the go.     Let these women live vicariously through you for a few moments out of their day and yours.     At the moment it may seem annoying but later you'll understand and you'll be the one trying not to go, " Ohhh, I remember when I was pregnant ," with a giddy smile on your face whenever you see ...

At my most recent doctor visit I was greeted in a friendly manner with this question,  "So, you're 38 weeks now. Are you going to want us to induce you or what's the plan?" Since I've done research throughout the pregnancy on how common birth interventions (such as induction) are I shouldn't have even been surprised by my doctor's question, but I was. It's still shocking to me when doctors mention birthing medical procedures with such frankness, like it's all just part of the process. At another appointment a few weeks ago I was told by a different OB within the practice, "If you're screaming in pain I will not stay in the room... and neither will your partner." He said this in response to my comment that I was planning on having a natural birth without an epidural. Now, that's not a very reassuring, encouraging thing to say to woman that wants to birth naturally is it? Upon finding out I was pregnant I began reading an en...

Lisa, So here it is 2 weeks later and I'm still thinking about you. It all started in recovery, that's where we first met. It was hectically busy for me that day, as always. I hustled into the recovery room to retrieve a recently sterilized dog for an adopter or a foster, the particular dog or person it was for I cannot recall, only that I was in recovery to get someone's dog. Partially laying on your side, partially sitting upright, in a bottom corner cage with big doe eyes, and an even bigger belly, you caught my eye. Then I took a quick moment to consciously focus my attention on you. You looked like a deer caught in the headlights, almost frozen, nearly expressionless. The fact that you looked and acted a lot like a dog I had fostered months ago and seeing your big, protruding belly brought on an instant surge of nearly-overwhelming empathy. "I'll be back to see you. Tomorrow I'll get you out, I promise. Hang in there," I said to you, almost ster...