Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Pregnancy Update


  • We went to our childbirth class this past weekend. Thanks, folks. Now? I'm terrified. Actually, it was a really, really good class and I can tell that the nurses and doctors at Stanford are really the best we could ever ask for. The class was taught by this woman who is maybe in her 50s. She's been a nurse for 25 years and she just had this amazing demeanor. Like, if she was around when you were in labor/pain/scared, then you might be OK since she's so calming. It was also reassuring to hear that Stanford doesn't push interventions unless necessary and that everyone is on your side to help you have the best possible outcome for everyone. It was also reassuring to hear that they can perform a C-section in an average time of 5 minutes. Meaning, if all hell breaks loose, and things go awry, it's probably the best place to be. 
  • I'm getting Braxton Hicks contractions lately. They feel like menstrual cramps, low in my belly. They don't feel particularly good, but the doc says they're normal. I got them for 3-4 days in a row and then I haven't gotten them for a couple days now. It's kinda hard because they make me feel nauseous. And laying down, drinking water seems to be the best thing for me. However, I just don't have that option at work, which makes it hard. I'm slowly starting to realize how incomplete the support of women in the workplace is, even at a "progressive" institute like Stanford. 
  • Speaking of women in the workplace, I'm having a hard time dealing with expectations, both social expectations and those I place on myself. I feel like pregnancy is not really acknowledged as a state in which you might be unable to be as productive as you would like. I feel like women are expected to keep up the same, normal amount of work, even as pregnancy progresses, and things are more uncomfortable and harder to accomplish. I find sitting to be particularly hard, so hanging out at the computer or the microscope for long periods of time is just not an option anymore. I wish more people would acknowledge this and be required to accommodate women better in the workplace. I also find that my expectations of myself are exceptionally high as well. I think I should be able to accomplish boatloads of stuff on a daily basis, and when I come home exhausted at the end of a 12 hour day, I get mad at myself for not completing all my tasks. Type A, anyone? It's also hard to have an overachieving, work-a-holic husband who tries to understand my situation, but, generally, just can't seem to understand why I wouldn't want to work as hard as I possibly can until the minute I give birth. At the rate I'm going, I can't imagine doing that! 
  • None of this is to say that my boss, and for the most part, my husband have not been totally supportive. My boss is happy to have me work from home. She's been great, even when I've had to cancel things or miss meetings because of a doctor's appointment, or something like that. I am lucky to be in the position I am in, honestly. As for Alex, well, he's beginning to understand. Especially after the terrifying birth classes, ha! And he knows he's not allowed to go to work while I'm in labor or in the hospital. However, I have the feeling that as soon as I am napping, he will head to work. Hopefully just to tell friends that everyone is fine....

2 comments:

  1. Dan kept telling me that he'd be just a phone call away when the time came to push the baby out - HAHA not funny mister! I think when the time comes, your hubby will be there and not be thinking about anything else.

    Love reading your updates! <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the saying "Behind every great man is a great woman" is dead on the money because we do all the pushing and supporting even at the risk of not putting ourselves first when we need it most. "Behind every great baby is a great mom" should be the next one.
    Hang in there, super woman! Know your limits! You can do this!

    ReplyDelete