Well, my first lesson learned as a mother in training is that children can be completely unpredictable and you simply cannot direct their each and every move (especially in the womb!). As a recovering control freak, I have made my peace with this (for now) and am a smiling radiant mama-to-be. Let me explain…
Last time I wrote, we had digested the news that our Pandysas was a gentle giant. We were so sure that an induction was going to happen any day now, or certainly quite early. Her measurements were just off the charts and there was concern for the safety of both bub and surrogate.
The idea of an elective c-section had also been tossed around because at 32 weeks, Kerri-ann’s belly was measuring 38 weeks. Last week we went for a growth scan and to everyone’s absolute surprise, apart from a delicious chumba wumba tummy, all other measurements have normalised and bubs is completely in normal range, just slightly on the heavier size. She will be a larger than average baby, but in no way dangerously so. At this stage there is no need to even think of inducing, so we are back to waiting for the due date – 28th Feb. (We all have a feeling she will make an early appearance though). What a turnaround! I was ready to meet my girlie as early as this week. However I will be equally as excited and overwhelmed whenever she appears and I am happy to have some time up my sleeve to rest and recharge, especially after the intense few weeks we have had.
Life has provided a few speed humps lately in the health department for both me and my amazing hubby Ash, who is usually the picture of health. I think it may be due to excess stress and being run down in general. He contracted a rare eye infection and had to have two minor eye operations. In addition he ended up in hospital with a kidney infection, which is quite serious, especially for a man. I was shocked and scared as he is normally my rock. I took great care of him, though, and he is now back to at work – in Singapore on a business trip, in fact, his last before fatherhood.
I have had my own challenges too, with my body having a terrifying reaction to one of my treatments and deciding to reject it altogether. I also had some issues with a root canal and some medication changes. It has been slightly rough to say the least. On a positive note, we are both coming out the other end of this hazy period now – it is almost like we were trudging through a dark dungeon that had to be conquered before we could meet our baby. And now we have done it. I am hopeful and optimistic that the bad is done and dusted and feel lots of new light surrounding us in the last weeks before the brightest light in the world arrives – our baby!
Speaking of light and all things good, my baby shower comes to mind. It was the most beautiful day. Ever. My wonderful committee of girlfriends planned the most amazing event. The food, the decorations, the games – every last detail was divine and executed with love. They were there from 8am toiling away to make the day special for me. Guests arrived from 11 in their vintage attire and sipped tea, punch and bubbles, nibbled on finger food and talked all things baby. My baby girl was spoiled absolutely rotten. My once perfectly pristine nursery is now littered with gifts to home, wash and go ga-ga over for weeks to come. Apart from carrying my baby for me (nothing can ever compare to that), planning my shower is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. I thanked the girls with little vintage-themed gift boxes including a vintage tea cup, flavoured green tea, strainer, green tea & lemon hand moisturiser, an eye pillow and a silver necklace.
To thank the amazing Kerri-ann for bringing the baby to the shower, I gave her a rather large trunk-style box including a range of things she needs for the hospital including dressing gown, nightie, slippers, toiletry bag and a selection of toiletries, a coke and mars bar for after birth (she has been missing coke really badly during the pregnancy haha) and some mints. The special gift I included was a handmade silver necklace that I had designed for her. It had two circles with her children’s names engraved on them and an amethyst stone in the middle which will represent my baby. (If the baby is born around the due date that will be her birth stone). I made a little speech expressing my gratitude and feelings and we all got a little choked up – it was really a very special affair.
Now that the baby shower is over and the book is complete, I feel like I am just waiting for my little girl to arrive and trying to stay as healthy as possible. I’ve planned a few girls catch ups with close friends in the next few weeks and Ash and I have a couple of nice meals we would love to have together if time permits. But really, we would just like to rest, relax, recharge and enjoy each other quietly until our bundle is in our arms and then the three of us will be together, as it should be.
Be well,
Natalia
x
Read Kerri-ann’s (the surrogate mother) story here and the other parts to Natalia’s Diary of Surrogacy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
More about Natalia
Natalia is writing a book for families that are having children via surrogacy. Natalia and her partner believe that it is important for children to understand the truth about their history.
The book is a story book that parents can read to children so that the idea that they were born via surrogacy is part of the fabric of their life. Natalia consulted with an expert psychologist to get the messaging right and it is now being illustrated. She is self-publishing and it will be released in early 2013.
Natalia is currently seeking supporters and sponsors for the production costs. There is a sponsorship proposal that interested parties can look at – personal or commercial -(please email:info@acrosstheverge.com ). You can also follow the book’s progress via the FaceBook page.
Note: To top the excitement of the baby shower, the following day, my children’s book, ‘Your Tummy Time – a surrogacy story’ arrived! I am a published author! It looks beautiful and I am very happy. It is now available for sale on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/yourtummytime
The cost is $17.99 per copy including delivery within Australia. It is not available via iOs, but enquiries can be made via the contact tab on the page for alternate purchase methods. I plan to look into purchase via Amazon and potential PR opportunities in the next few weeks.
