Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Hope.

To be honest I never did think that I would be in this place that I am in. I mean really, after Biride died, and we were "introduced" into a world we never really knew existed (dead baby blog land) how can I possibly allow myself to feel hope? I really don't know where it is coming from. Not that I'm not scared to death of the "what if's", but I just don't want to linger there. I know all about what could happen, but my mind just isn't letting me stay there for very long.

Birdie's death was an accident, she should be here right now. It was because of all of the time that passed when things became dangerous that she is dead. Perhaps it is my knowing this that has allowed me to get beyond being worried all the time. Maybe not. Maybe it's just me, maybe that's just who I am. I feel like to spend my time, my precious time being scared is not going to do me any good or this baby. I must feel thankful for right now, this moment and all moments of the day. I have said this before, but I know that really ultimately under most circumstances I have no control so I just have to take this pregnancy one day at a time.

One day at a time, because I know deep down inside it could all go to shit tomorrow but why do I want to spend the time stressed out about it and anxiety ridden? I just can't do that.

So, for now I feel good. I feel hopeful. I do feel a little bit of healing in my heart and I am madly in love with this little beauty in my belly.

For those of you who were wondering when we found out that we were pregnant again, we officially found out on March 1st. So, we knew on Birdies 1st birthday. It took a while for it to really sink in, and when my belly started to stick out pretty soon after we definitely knew that this is really happening!

For the time being we are seeing the same care providers that we had been with Birdie, before we started to go to the homebirth midwives. So, we are under the care of the CNM's and Doctor that delivered Birdie. The very same doctor who tried in vain to save her life. We both feel very confident and so happy with the care we have already received. Our first pre-natal was nearly an hour long, and a week and half after it we had another appointment just so that we could hear the heartbeat. What a relief to hear that beautiful sound, we both cried through it. We were told right from the start that we can have anything that we want, tests, ultrasounds etc etc. I won't be induced (something I already knew) because of the increased risk of uterine rupture. Plus, our doctor and the CNM's are PRO VBAC, and that is what I want for myself to. My only concern is going to 40 weeks, I just don't want to get that far. I would be happy with 38 weeks, so we will see when the time comes. All in all we are comfortable with these wonderful care providers, we are close with them and they know us and remember Birdie so we are treated with nothing but kindness.

However, we are going to have a meeting with a midwife from the local "big" hospital. We want to do this just to see how our care might be different, how they approach a "patient" like me etc.

So, that's the scoop from over here. On thursday I will be 12 weeks. I don't want this pregnancy to go by too fast, but then again...I want to hear that beautiful sound of this baby crying...I want to look at my beautiful husband and see the tears of love, happiness and healing and I want to know, finally how it feels to hold a living breathing child that we have created together. I want to know this, and also think of Birdie and think how she might have been...and know who she always will be.

She is always in my heart and in my soul.

23 comments:

YummySushiPjs said...

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful experience with all of us. I love the hope and healing here. I am so excited to see this new life growing for you both.

Tuesday said...

You are so beautiful, and so blessed to have found out on Birdie's birthday. Somebody loves you very, very much.

You are so awesome.

Beruriah said...

All of this makes me so very happy!
Hold onto the hope and I so look forward to greeting Birdie's sibling.

Mary said...

That is just beautiful.... it warms my heart way over here to see you full of such hope, and that is such a good thing. I remember my sister speaking of her daughter who died just short of her first birthday. Her words were something in the order of I can let this rip my life apart or I can take it and grow and learn from this. I'm not saying this was all her grieving was but it was down the road a ways... I am just so very happy for you guys, you make me feel your happiness and hope! Yeah!!;)Smoochies to Macy too!!

Kim said...

I am just so thankful for all the peace I can feel from your words. :) I hope it continues to seep into all the places where fear will try to creep in.

It sounds like you are receiving excellent care so far, and I hope and pray that that continues!

mosugs said...

you are really so amazing, erin. your strength is awesome and so is your honesty. continue with your hope and your joy - you deserve it, matt deserves it, Birdie deserves it.
xoxo
.m

Mrs. Collins said...

Oh Erin, I just came back and I had been gone because you went private and I just found out you are pregnant! I'm so happy for you and I know that Birdie sent this child to you on her wings.

I think it's a good idea to talk with anyone that has or may have a role in this pregnancy. It will make you feel better. I know you can do this.

pinky said...

That is the wonderful thing about a pregnancy, the hope. And what a great time of year for it. It is getting nice out. The plants buds are coming up.

I think you are making a very wise decision to look at all your options. I imagine the Doctor who delivered Birdie is thrilled to see you pregnant. And thrilled to be taking care of you.

You are so right. It is not going to be helpful to worry all nine months away. Keep us posted. I enjoy reading your blog.

niobe said...

It's wonderful to hear your hope shining through your words.

Leigh Steele said...

I couldn't help but think of this fitting quote:
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all" - Emily Dickinson
Yes, yes, yes, let that hope flourish and flow in your baby's heart.
It is wonderful to hear of your plans for this next birth. :)
Love,
Leigh

c. said...

Erin,
My OB told me, unprompted, that they would very likely induce a subsequent pregnancy early - like at 37 or 38 weeks. Did this come up at all in your discussions?
I am happy to know things are progressing well and you have hope again. It's good to know it's possible.

kp said...

Early on in my subsequent pregnancy, I was having a hard time with hope and not wanting to get attached. A nurse at my OB/GYN told me to embrace and love the new baby because I would be devastated either way ... and with hope and love, I'd never have regrets. That thought really helped in the darker times. That you found out on Birdie's birthday further convinces me that the new life is a gift from her.

Charlotte's Mama said...

This is a beautiful song, and I will sing it for you next time I see you, and I can't believe I haven't ever sang it to you before... and here it is, taken from Victor Hugo, modified just a little... picture it with a beautifu, melancholy tune, slightly minor and surprising sounding, and then coursing into a round of 3 or 4 voices...

Be like a bird
Who halting in her flight
On a limb so slight
Feels it bend down beneath her
Yet sings, sings, knowing she has wings
Yet sings, sings, knowing she has wings.

Your hope, and your trust in your baby, is a gift to your whole family, all 4 of you.
xox
Carol

Unknown said...

Erin-I only became aware of your story in January of this year. I don't exactly know why, but it really struck a chord with me (more than other stories I have read that had similar outcomes). I tried to access this blog before but it was private and I looked at pictures of your beautiful baby and glimpses into who you are on flickr. I tried in vain on March 3rd of this year to get a message to you to let you know how much sorrow I felt for you and your family. I found out that your blog was public again and was just so enthralled to hear you are expecting again. Congratulations! I'm sure Birdie is smiling down on all of you and will be there to help guide your new little one safely into your arms.

Aubrey said...

You are wise and strong far beyond your years. I hope that this new life you are carrying, can begin to mend your wounds. I am glad to have been able to read your story, thank you for making it public again. I will be reading, keeping up on how your pregnancy goes, and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! Continue to be brave, like you are.

bleu said...

I just wanted to say I am so happy for you.

Mary J. said...

Thank you for sharing. I know how hard it will be and how slowly the days will pass. I hope you will be able to enjoy this pregnancy, even with your innocence gone. I will keep you in my thoughts.

nocton4 said...

Have just checked in and seen your wonderful news.I am so so very pleased for you all,just the best news ... tears of happiness for you.
Walking this path with you, holding you all in my thoughts and wishes.
Denise - in the UK
xx

Melissa Morgan-Oakes said...

I am SO SO SO SO SO SO happy for you.

I've been bad about reading again; family crisis stuff, Meg was very sick and we were not sure why and thought maybe cancer at one point, and we've just come off a whole bunch of nonsense to discover that we should have just been thinking small, repeated a simple H&H and discovered that she was dangerously, severely, near-death-ly anemic. No clue how the dr and I both missed this, but it had been building for a while so what had been a low-normal H&H taken back when she first felt funky had turned into a dangerously low while we were all pulling out big guns and searching for elephants.

My daughter's actual skin color? PINK!! Not white and blue. It's like there's a whole new person living here now.

But about YOU - congratulations, love that belly already, lookit it! PLEASE hug and kiss for me.

That's a good sized belly already. Wait a second, that's a really big belly already!!

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore said...

I am just so sorry. My daughter also died during birth and I have been a vegetarian for 33 years.

My heart is with you as you continue to feel the absence of her physical presence in your lives.

Julia said...

It's great to hear you so content and at peace. And to hear of how happy you are with your care.

I think there is a real concern that you have about going closer to 40 weeks, but you definitely have time to think about that, so I am glad you are not stressing over it for now.

Stephanie J. Schmitz Bechteler said...

Oh wow. I had no idea you made your blog public again. I had meant to get a password when you went password-protected, and then it just never happened. Longtime lurker here. So unbelievably thrilled for you and Matt as I read of your good news. Just wonderful!

Aurelia said...

I'm so glad your blog is public again and so happy to read you again. I have so much hope, faith, and belief for you!

Much love!