Confessions and reflections

When you’re expecting, you’re generally told what to expect (there’s a famous book on that too) but there’s a lot to learn especially if it’s your first baby. When I first got pregnant, I didn't even know where my cervix was, so I had a pretty big learning curve. The world wide web provides plenty of misinformation, but let’s face it: it’s good to get at least some basic knowledge without having to ask embarrassing questions – like in my case, “ Oh so that ’ s where you ’ ll cut me up?!!! ” Time to face the music: 1.      There will be a lot of red.  No matter how you push it out (c-section or normal) you will have postpartum bleeding. This enchanting fluid is called lochia and it sounds about as appealing as it is. It lasts as little as two to three weeks or as long as six weeks after birth. The best part is you're given giant, thunder pads in the hospital because you can't use tampons during this time (it can introduce bacteria into your healing ute...

It all began when I willingly became the recipient of the sperm that found its way to the egg. That too in the missionary position! No, this isn’t about sex. It’s about the aftermath – the baby. So after a long and tiresome 5 year planning (these were the days when the planning commission actually existed), I was carrying. Pregnancy by far the most amazing time of my life but it was also the scariest, most guilt ridden, and tiring time too (I think it gives you a preview for actually having a kid). During my tenure, I was astounded and fazed with all the information of what I should and shouldn't do while pregnant. Everything finished off with "to be on the safe side, just avoid it." Well that's great, only that then I’d be expected to sit in Fort Knox eating washed, organic paalak and popping folic acid week after week if I did that. As much as I wanted to turn a blind eye to all these scare tactics, I couldn't help but think "what if". Wha...