12 September 2010

week 33


Friday was our OB appointment and we asked about "The Plan" given "The Lake" and we got a sort-of-plan. We'll do an ultrasound at the specialist's office the 36th week. Then, based on the outcome, we'll decide what to do next.

IF the lake is still in place, then we can choose to do this or that:
We can go for an amnio week 37, check for lung maturity and do a C-section forthwith (or soon after steroid injections) (the specialist's choice)
OR
We can just simply wait, no amnio, for a planned C-section week 39 (the OB office's choice).

A lot depends on how much of a threat it feels to wait (and how much stress we feel like dealing with along the way with that much uncertainty)-- things we want to avoid: me bleeding badly, and an unnecessary premature birth.

In the meantime, if early labor, if too early, they may stave it off, if not that early, they'd do an "emergency" c-section.

IF the lake is resolved, then we go back to what, plan D? Wait for natural labor to begin?

All I know is that we feel kind of exhausted by the rollercoaster of ever changing complications and ever changing plans, so we're just going to get to the next things: I'll make an appointment for the ultrasound at the specialist's office for week 36 and meanwhile, we'll have our usual OB appointment in 2 weeks.

I do know this:
In spite of the cleaved pelvis feeling from hell
I love being pregnant. And while I am eager to meet this little person, and I am *so curious*, I am also willing to wait.
Today I bought a few more things that will fit me longer, since I imagine I might be pregnant for a while.
***
Ok about the photo: My dear friend (and ex) Justin is a professional photographer, and in the time we dated, he never took any photos of me- ok, one, that I hated, but never, you know, Photos.

So here we are, years later, and me, I'm hugely pregnant with a baby with another guy.
Awkward in many ways, yes.
And he had offered to take photos as I'd grown and grown, and I'd declined, knowing the weirdness might be too much for me. Might be too much for Doug. Might, in fact, just be too much.
But then I was a whole lot bigger, my body more foreign, and time (it feels) is running out, and suddenly the question came up again. I asked my darlin' if I could and he said yes, and before I could chicken out, we met on friday afternoon for a really fun shoot, resulting in photos entirely unlike classic pregnancy portraits. I brought balloons for no good reason and we got this awesome shot.

So while Justin does not read this blog, I wanted to share his magic. Neither his website nor his flickr site do his people-work justice (but look for the pregnant Elissa shots on his flickr site-- we should all be so lucky to look like that, but hey, she's a model). He is really, really good at what he does. and this photo? FUN.
Here's another:


23 comments:

sprogblogger said...

I love - love love love love love - those photos. What an amazing gift! Good to know you've got options coming up on delivery - I'll be very interested to see what happens - regardless, it sounds like you're in great hands with everyone involved willing to wait to see what makes the most sense at the time.

Thinking of you every day, and hoping this goes easily and becomes less stressful the closer you get to full-term!

Which is right around the corner! Wow!

(Damn, I can't wait for these kids to meet each other - and to see you again when we're both feeling a little more mobile, a little more able-to-visit! It's been so wonderful going through this with someone who's been through this from almost the beginning.) Take care of yourself - and be proud of those photos - far and away the niftiest pregnant-lady photo shoot I've ever seen!

Joannah said...

What a fun picture! I had no idea it was you until I saw the picture at the bottom.

I know it must be very difficult to not have a plan in place now, but somehow it will all fall into place as it should. So long as the outcome is healthy baby and healthy momma, it will all be good!

:)

alyssa said...

i absolutely had no idea this was you till the end. just is ever-talented, and i'm so glad you did this shoot.
i love you
a

karen alonge said...

delightful photos!

thinking of you every day.
:)

Kate said...

What great photos - I also had no idea it was you. You're looking awesome!

It is what it is said...

Fun pictures that will become treasures in time.

I, too, know it's hard not to have a solid plan and to have a plan that's fluid. But, the one thing you can count on is that babies find their way out one way or another :)

Hoping things progress just as you want them to.

Eb said...

cool photo's - the best I've seen. Love them! My DH is a photographer but never managed to get one of me preggers that doesn't make me look like a pregnant version of my mum!!

Sorry things are so hard - the not knowing. I remember the stress of waiting to hear what we were going to do. You look amazing and very beautiful so whatever happens, I am so glad that you are enjoying the pregnancy

Thinking of you.
E

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

The photos are whimsical and gorgeous.

Good luck with all of the different What If scenarios.

Gil said...

Delurking to say I love the shots! What a fantastic opportunity and gift from Justin! You'll cherish these for years to come I bet. Kudos for just jumping in and doing it!

Keeping fingers crossed that the coming weeks yield good news and you don't have difficult decisions to make.

Rose said...

Love the pics and kudos for doing them in the buff. They look beautiful.

tireegal68 said...

Ok - what is wrong with me that I can't figure that out? I see the red balloons picture - is that you? gorgeous!
I see Elissa and I see lots of very nice pics of scenery and flowers but where are you?
I hope that you get to be pregnant as long as you decide, and not to rushed through this whole thing. Thinking of you and your "lake" and hoping all goes well:)

IF Optimist, then... said...

I am so totally in love with those photographs, and the gorgeous mama within. Hope that the complications vanish into the mist and you will be able to deliver a happy and healthy little bub at the right time in the best way possible. Very very very full of joy for you and Doug. OXXO

Circus Princess said...

LOVE the photos!!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Kate,
You look amazing!
I had a semi-elective c-section at 37 weeks. My baby was in breech position and the morning we were to go in and discuss a version attempt (which I wasnt thrilled about as not very high chance success and real chance of fetal distress and emergency c-section), my water broke. No possibility of version anymore, and was GBS positive, so moved quickly to c-section. Up til then I had still had the notion of a vaginal birth, but bottom line what I wanted was my healthy baby. I was really serene. I don't know if it is usual or bc I am an MD myself, but after they had made the incisions etc and got the first leg out, they lowered the curtain so I could see my son come into the world, so if that is something you would want, ask! And even though it was a c-section, they put him on my chest right away and he was suckling when he was about 30 seconds old! I guess what I am trying to say is that even if it was not what I had imagined, I had a great birth experience and don't for one second feel I didn't give birth to my baby. Wishing you a beautiful conclusion of your pregnancy and all the very best

tireegal68 said...

Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog. You lifted my spirits and warmed my heart while I was sitting here in tears. You are the best:) thank you. Xoxo

Unknown said...

I love the pictures! You look terrific.

Michele said...

love that pic- you look awesome!!!

Jem said...

Wow, those pictures are amazing, so playful and intimate and fun all at the same time. I thought the top one was from iStockPhoto. So cute to see your smiling face popping through the balloons.

I'm glad you are enjoying your pregnancy, despite all kinds of scariness.

Grade A said...

Magical Whimsy.

So sorry about the rollercoaster but glad you are still enjoying..ahem...the ride.

Squeal!

Grade A said...

Magical Whimsy.

So sorry about the rollercoaster but glad you are still enjoying..ahem...the ride.

Squeal!

m said...

Absolutely amazingly beautiful photos. Seems kind of appropriate you are amidst the balloons given the roller-coaster of wait and see that you're on, no?

It seems reassuring that you and your docs are ready and have a few options for any scenario. I am wishing the best possible one unfolds.

Wishing you well!

Elizabeth said...

I adore these -- good, brave you. Wonderful photos! Think of you often and hope you're feeling as well as one can when one is almost done growing a baby! With love,
Elizabeth

What IF? said...

Oh my gosh, Kate. These images are to die for! Makes me want to be pregnant all over again.

Thank you for sharing them with us. I totally thought it was a model until I read your post. You are such a beautiful mom.