Motherhood & Words

I never thought I would be so excited and relieved to hear that I have a gorgeous placenta. TFG. Baby is alive with a healthy heartbeat, and the clot has diminished to a few very small clots. Apparently, “I bled in the right direction.” (Who knew this was even possible?) The big fear was that the blood would pool between the placenta and the uterine wall, which would have been very bad. But it didn’t. Most of it drained out of me, and the rest will hopefully reabsorb.

I can’t thank you all enough for your thoughts and good wishes.

I still have to take it easy, especially for the next two weeks. I can’t lift Stella, much to her chagrin, or carry anything over 15 pounds. But the baby is alive and my placenta is fully attached, and for now, all I feel is relief. I will work a little from home, but try to stay out of the office and not worry about anything except eating and resting.

I’ll see my doctor tomorrow and have a ultrasound in two weeks and another one in five weeks. (So much for trying to limit ultrasound exposure. Eh whatever, bring them on.) And now I’m back to my original hope–that I will carry this baby to term, that it will be born healthy and weighing 7 pounds (or even 6).

It is amazing how quickly crisis puts the rest of life–work and stress and daily worries–into perspective. I wish it weren’t so hard for me to put things in their proper places without this kind of trauma. But I have a little perspective now, and I’ll hang onto it as tightly as I can.

Thank you, again, for all your kind words.

Posted in

Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

11 Comments

  1. **camera shy momma** on September 11, 2007 at 8:34 pm

    great news! ah, the beautiful placenta, tree of life!

    take care and rest!



  2. Sara on September 11, 2007 at 8:56 pm

    I’m so happy and relieved to read your great news. Take care, Kate.



  3. Melissa on September 11, 2007 at 9:12 pm

    Wonderful news! Hooray for placenta!



  4. patty on September 11, 2007 at 9:37 pm

    Eat. Rest. Eat. Rest.

    I am so happy for you and your family. take it easy and as my mother always says, “remember to breathe.”



  5. Emmie (Better Make It A Double) on September 11, 2007 at 10:36 pm

    I’m so happy for the good news – and also sorry for the trauma. Not. Fair.

    (P.S. I always said that about you – the gorgeous placenta thing, I mean. Just for the record.)



  6. Suzanne on September 11, 2007 at 11:32 pm

    I’m so happy to read your good news! I hope that the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful



  7. coarse gold girl on September 12, 2007 at 4:28 am

    What wonderful news! I love your blog and your writing by the way. I will keep you in my thoughts, sending you positive vibes for the rest of your pregnancy (let it be uneventful!)

    About ultrasounds–here in Japan (I’m American married to a Japanese) they do an ultrasound at every single visit to the doctors. TONS of healthy and bright and beautiful little kids thriving over here. So don’t worry at all about that!

    Laura



  8. Mardougrrl on September 13, 2007 at 12:12 am

    Yay, yay, yay! I’m so thrilled! 🙂



  9. Mandy on September 13, 2007 at 5:56 am

    We’re glad to know that you’re all right, Kate, and it’s brave of you to write about this on the blog.



  10. Sheri on September 17, 2007 at 10:50 am

    OMFG, been behind on my blog reading! ohhhhh, you are in my thoughts. i am deep breathing over here for you. so glad for the happy news.



  11. Special Needs Mama Prof on September 26, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    Oh thank goodness. Take it easy and take care of yourself!