Rambling Update

I got the word yesterday that I have a little over two weeks before I get induced. This is a two-edged sword. I am the type of person who would have my baby at home, if I could. I'm high-risk in multiple categories, so I couldn't. I insisted on the least amount of ultrasounds and forewent the amniocentisis.


However, in addition to the medical conditions that I started out with, I've developed pre-eclampsia and so, will have to be induced at 37 weeks. Besides a c-section, inducement is a worst-case scenario for me. Extremely difficult to do without an epidural (I'm going to try, but I'm not going to be a hero), and it tends to lead to more and more intervention...more difficult delivery, forceps, vacuum, and in almost all cases, the aforementioned epidural. Not to mention, a higher incidence of the dreaded c-section.

I have had a difficult pregnancy and it is a miracle that my Little Man has made it this far. My high-risk doctor performed my final ultrasound (grand total of 3, one was an emergency in month two) yesterday and said that my son looks like a million bucks. But, the longer he stays in, the more dangerous it becomes for him. So, inducement in two weeks, while not my dream situation, it is the best thing for baby. The only intervention I've managed to escape is the amnio. Usually when a baby is induced before 39 weeks, they require one. But, since they are going to take him at 37 weeks no matter what, it is not necessary. Score one for Momma.

During this gestation, I've had very limited energy.  I've had about two good workable hours most days.  Some, I haven't gotten out of bed, except to go to the bathroom every hour.  So, I've had to streamline my activities.  I am also getting a sense of a new set of priorities.  I guess I'm going through the transition from Mom-to-be to Mom-in-living-color.  Since I've had limited workable hours, I've focused on my home and family almost exclusively.  No journaling, no working on my novel, no socializing (almost none), and very little blogging. 

I have been doing a wee bit of writing, though.  I've outlined a book (working five minutes at a time, here and there) on my family's frugal lifestyle.  I got the idea when my sister came to visit last month.  She commented on what a high quality of life we had on such a little bit of money.  I even sent her home with a tip that will save her two dollars every time she goes to Starbucks (that really impressed her.)  So, little by little, I started taking notes on strategies we've developed over the last six years of marriage.  I was stunned when my outline reached three single-spaced pages.  I had never thought about our lifestyle in a structured way before, but we have amassed quite a stash of frugal knowledge.

I've been amazed at how happy I am when I am working on this project.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy writing fiction.  But, I never have had the feeling that I was doing anything important.  But, with this project, I feel that I could have a true, positive impact on a lot of families who are going through tough times.  Not to get too mushy, but I think that Little Man's impending arrival has refocused my energies and I, too, am going through a birth, of sorts.  I hope it sticks.