Relaxing

Hi all,

So at my doctors appointment on Friday we found out my blood pressure had jumped significantly above what has been normal for me. All week I had been suffering with puffiness and seriously swelling ankles and hands. This has obviously concerned the doctors, who are worried about the onset of preeclampsia or even just sudden edema. So, Nate and I have been having a very relaxing weekend at home. I have been eating super healthy and we watched a variety of old Cary Grant movies. My swelling has returned to a normal end of pregnancy 'puffy-ness' and according to the blood pressure monitor, my blood pressure has almost returned to my old numbers. This is great news, but I still have to get up and perform for the doctor in the morning! I have one last week of work left, which entails me speeding through a report, after which I am done and on maternity leave! I can't wait! I have been saving a few things to do just for the time off before the baby comes. Nate and I are almost ready, which is good since I am now full-term and Xander could be here any day!! I still think he is a couple of weeks off and plans to come near his due date, but who knows!!

Also, I just wanted to add this one little thing. I have found that people say the most thoughtless things to pregnant women. So, I would just like to remind everyone to think before they speak (as a general rule..) but especially to pregnant women who are already emotionally frail from nine-ten months of hormones, worrying, and physical strain. The last thing they need is to deal with stupid comments, or worry about things that are the complete imagination of the other person. Here are a few of the most common things people just shouldn't say:

"Are you sure there aren't twins in there?" Yes, as a matter of fact I am, these days women get a lot of really great ultrasounds and we are 100% positive it is only one, and by the way, I'm no bigger than any other pregnant woman.

"Oh, my, you are so big! I bet he is coming early, there is no way you could deliver anything any bigger" I have no idea when he is coming, I haven't gained that much weight, and I can deliver whatever he happens to be because I am his mommy, sorry you are not as awesome as me!

"You know, the doctor could be wrong, he might be a girl!" By the way, this is not funny. Second of all, when they showed me he was a boy on the ultrasound they took me on a tour of all his private parts, so yes, I'm pretty sure he is a boy, but if he turns out the be a girl that would be fabulous, too! All I want is a healthy baby, so whats the big deal??

"What are you going to do with your pets?" Nothing. They are part of the family and that hasn't changed. If Xander happens to be allergic we will cross that bridge when we get to it, but otherwise I see no need to change a darn thing. I have the best pets in the world! And, as I recall, when I came home from the hospital, I had a wonderful dog and cats waiting for me, so whats the big deal??

"Have fun now, because once the baby is here your life is over!" Funny, I thought the baby was part of my life. I'm very much looking forward to my new life with my baby, I'm sorry you don't like your life, but I'm very happy with mine, thank you very much!

These are just the most common ones that almost every pregnant woman I know or talk to complains about. There are so many more that are so much more stupid, and worst is when people tell you they never had this or that with their pregnancy, so there must be something wrong with yours. Trust me lady, I know me better than you do, and what is going on is between me and my highly educated doctors, not you and short sighted opinions.

So, please, just think before you speak, and if at all possible make the pregnant lady's day and say something really nice instead. Like, "wow! you're looking great!" or "You're really a trooper!" or "Good luck!". It seems simple, but you would be very surprised, I know I was....