So my daily juggle has now turned into a daily sit and wait. This began in earnest a few weeks ago now, but the cogs to started turning just over four years ago with the birth of the bright spark.
In 2008 my son made his entry into the world four weeks early. An irritable uterus led to preterm labour and he joined us. He was only a little bit small and had healthy lungs. After a few delays starting breastfeeding we were discharged after 10 days and he has been growing like a weed ever since. He's a happy, bright, funny little boy and a joy to all that spend time with him. I may be a little biased there.
We decided it was time to produce a sibling for our bright spark in late 2010 (that is my husband and I; we felt it unnecessary to throw it open to wider consultation). Our plan was to start trying in January the following year. Instead I was diagnosed with gall stones, following a pain that I think is equal to being in labour. So plans of lots sleepovers at Nana's for the bright spark and unprotected lovin' for Mum and Dad were put on hold for a few months. Instead the bright spark got a new addition to his Duplo collection and I got a GA and laproscopic surgery. And the good drugs that go along with this. Very good drugs.
In October the double pink lines appeared on the pregnancy test and we're on our journey to parenthood again. I had the first trimester from hell, but that's a whole post unto itself. Let's fast forward to Christmas. Holidays for busy teachers, a welcome respite from work and the start of my second trimester.
I can enjoy a cup of tea without wanting to vomit. My husband finds my lack of vomiting and exhaustion sexy (or is it the increase in breast size).
Quick quiz class;
What is the effect of orgasm on the muscles of the uterus? Those who answered contraction are correct.
And what kind of drug is caffeine? Those who answered stimulant are also correct.
So after the usual strains of first trimester I've started with Braxton-Hicks contractions at around 15 weeks after resuming the guilty pleasures of sex and caffeine.
Not wild sex with multiple orgasms. Just once.
Not double shot espresso. Just a weak cup of tea.
The husband and I consult Dr Google and find this is not unheard of. "A little early" comment my Ob and his midwife. Within a few weeks we have labelled my uterus as "irritable". No cervical changes, just annoying.
So it's agreed by she who gestates (me) and he who inseminates (my husband) that I should take it easy. Limited lifting, focus on spending time with the bright spark and have nap, or at least some time with my feet up, when I can. I shouldn't mow the lawn, haul bags of manure for the vege garden or lift the 16 kilogram bright spark if I can avoid it. I'm allowed to do some light weeding (hurray) and house work (yippie). I also chase the bright spark around the zoo and manage a day out to the museum.
And mostly my organ of gestation is happy and peaceful. And I'm hoping it will stay that way.
I don't poke the bear and it doesn't wake.
