Dear Readers,
I’ve gotten several e-mails and comments from some of you with gentle, helpful tips and lots of prayers and well-wishes. I really want to thank all of you for that. I’m feeling vulnerable right now because I’ve been catching a good bit of flack from some very well intentioned people for the decision to get induced. It’s been vigorous and patronizing; it assumes that I’m not very smart and that I haven’t done good research. It has come, without exception, from women who have never had children or faced such decisions themselves; nor are they healthcare professionals. My cell phone has rung too much tonight.
I have enjoyed being able to be transparent about our process because, until recently, I never had to make a controversial decision and no one ever attacked me (it’s not like I’ve been smoking and drinking my way through pregnancy); but now that reasonable minds can differ about what the right decision is with regard to my health, my labor experience, and the well-being of this baby, I find myself feeling guarded. I’m clearly hormonal – weepy and short-tempered – but regardless of the reason, I’m finding that my feelings are really hurt by all the fervor dedicated to getting me to do things I don’t feel comfortable doing. Why do people do this? I know and respect these people, and under ordinary circumstances, they are interesting and likeable; so why in this vulnerable time are they so unkind? I really don’t get it. But I’m pretty okay (though still very disappointed) and I’m particularly grateful for all of you who have been so kind to us throughout this amazing, beautiful, sometimes difficult journey, especially in these last few days.
My love and hugs to all of you,
Em
6 comments:
Emilie,
I've sent an email to you and hope you are able to read it before your big event tomorrow.
Sending love from Bainbridge and best of everything tomorrow---I'm sure you, Rhett, and your mother are very excited to meet the new little one!
Aunt Wendy
I'm sorry to hear that people have been so thoughtless with their words. As another woman who is not a mother, I will try to cancel out their opinions by saying that I think you are extremely brave. To be pregnant at all, and to be able to make difficult decisions to the best of your ability, that for probably the first time in your life, involve somoneone that relies completely on you. That is a terrible run-on sentence. You are a great mother. Thank you for setting a good example for the rest of us. I'm praying for you today!
I completely agree with Kara. You have been so brave to put yourself out there and share all that you are going through. What an amazing gift you are giving to your son, and all of us that are letting follow your journey.
As you know, I am not a mother, and I think you are making the best decision for you, Rhett, and the health of your precious son. NO ONE has the right to judge your decisions. Childbirth is a personal experience and you and your doctors are the only ones who can decide what the best decision is. I think all of the decisions you have made in the past 9 months show your love and dedication for your son and prove how wonderful of a mother you are going to be.
Much love, hugs and prayers coming to you and Rhett. I am smiling while imagining the time that you get to look at your son's face and realize what you brought into this world. I can't wait to meet him.
Sending you a huge hug...it's never easy with life decisions, is it?
While we were goping through our infertility and even with the adoption process, the well-meaning words flowth over. Someone always had to put their .52 cents in whether they were knowledgeable or not. And mostly, not.
I debated and debated starting our blog, putting our story even further out for speculation and ridicule.
I ditto Kara and Caroline. You guys are making the best decision for the time you are in with the information given. I support you both, for whatever it's worth.
Love all three of ya...
MP
That is effing ridiculous. You've already read on my pregnancy blog about how 1) I've broken lots of pregnancy rules and 2) how crazy opinionated some people can be and my reactions (I'm like WTF)?
I understand that you're hormonal and have the potential to overreact, but you know what I say to all the people I don't know (or that I do) that give me advice? "My, when did you have time to get your medical degree?"
Your doctor is doing what is best for you and baby. It's really quite obvious that you're having to make tough choices and you're not making them flippantly.
I was just told by some old woman at work that raising my arms above my head would make the umbilical cord wrap around the baby's neck. Really, maybe I'm a hormonal mess too, but give me a flippin' break.
You may be harmonal and distracted (as I, a member of the weaker sex, can hardly even imagine), but you nevertheless write and express yourself perfectly!
In the meantime, I assume that everything went as planned yesterday and hope that perhaps PunkieDaddy can confirm that here....
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