Eight people in the last week have either (a) given birth to a second or third baby when their previous child is younger than B or (b) told me they are expecting a second or third baby when their previous child is younger than B. One friend is unexpectedly having twins.
Now I know I'm on this grand year-off adventure, which is supposed to make me calm and Zen, but SERIOUSLY WTF. It's an epidemic.
Forgive me. I know this is irrational. I know other people's pregnancies in no way relate to mine. I know I should be happy for each and every one of them (and I am... deep down....), but it's been crushing my spirit a bit this week as I feel like I am just being passed left and right by people who are so easily getting what I want. And of course I mark each birth and month with where I would be if I hadn't had two miscarriages. #3 would be four months old. I'd be about 20 weeks pregnant with #4. Everywhere we travel, I see families with two or three children and one of them is about B's age and there is always a younger one.
The thing is, I really do not want to feel this way. I'd like to be present in the moment and on this trip all the time. And when I'm not, I'd like it to be because I'm doing something constructive like reading, blogging, exercising, or listening to a podcast. I don't want it to be because I'm stewing and being jealous of people I don't even know and whose ability to pop out babies left and right is wholly irrelevant in my life.
I went so far as to write down grievances I've been holding onto and to make a few wishes using Flying Wish Paper as recommended by Gretchen Rubin on the Happier podcast (which I adore and highly recommend). It helped for a few hours, but this morning the feelings crept up on me, especially after seeing on Instagram that a friend had a baby and I didn't even know she was pregnant again!
Apologies, I'm just venting. I *know* I have so much for which I should be (and am) grateful. But I also think that part of letting go of these feelings is owning them and admitting they exist. I don't always feel great. I sometimes resent and am jealous of people in a ridiculous way. And I feel extra guilty for feeling this way because I know my pre-B self, who was consumed by grief and fear of never having a child, would hate this post-B self for wallowing and being jealous considering I have a spunky, smart, fun, joyful toddler to chase after day in and day out.
That's all.
If anyone has any ideas for me, I'd love to hear them.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Saturday, March 11, 2017
An Update from the Southern Hemisphere
Wow, I've been terrible about blogging. I have been writing on my other blog, but I've been preoccupied with traveling and having fun.
Mercifully, the day after my doctor's appointment, my body started to miscarry on its own (I started bleeding). It was as if my body had known for weeks but my mind was clinging to the pregnancy. Once I let go of it in my head, my body followed. I took Cytotec anyway and it was a pretty easy process albeit uncomfortable as many of you unfortunately know.
5 weeks later, I have just had my first cycle since the miscarriage. I haven't had any menopausal symptoms this time around for which I am eternally grateful and I haven't fallen into a depression like I did last spring. Part of it is certainly that I have learned to manage my expectations a bit but more so I think it is just that I refuse to let this ruin our trip. We had an incredible time in Hawaii, fell in love with Sydney, and are having the best time exploring New Zealand. My health is good all things considered and I love spending time with R & B. Am I incredibly sad and disappointed? Of course. But I won't let it swallow me whole this time around.
So, that's the update from here. My OB did write me another prescription for Clomid before I left Hawaii and I filled it, but I don't plan on taking it right away. I'm going to see what happens the next few cycles and try not to focus too much on trying to get pregnant. I feel more resigned than ever to not having another baby.
I did read a fascinating NY Times article today about stillbirth and three tests that can help determine the cause in many cases: placental examination, fetal autopsy, and genetic testing. We had all three of these done on Q and the placental examination did tell us what happened to her although we still don't know why. In any event, an interesting read for those of us who have experienced stillbirth (at least I find myself wanting to read and know everything about it).
You all are still very much in my thoughts, I'm just not at a computer very often (which is the whole point of this trip).
Mercifully, the day after my doctor's appointment, my body started to miscarry on its own (I started bleeding). It was as if my body had known for weeks but my mind was clinging to the pregnancy. Once I let go of it in my head, my body followed. I took Cytotec anyway and it was a pretty easy process albeit uncomfortable as many of you unfortunately know.
5 weeks later, I have just had my first cycle since the miscarriage. I haven't had any menopausal symptoms this time around for which I am eternally grateful and I haven't fallen into a depression like I did last spring. Part of it is certainly that I have learned to manage my expectations a bit but more so I think it is just that I refuse to let this ruin our trip. We had an incredible time in Hawaii, fell in love with Sydney, and are having the best time exploring New Zealand. My health is good all things considered and I love spending time with R & B. Am I incredibly sad and disappointed? Of course. But I won't let it swallow me whole this time around.
So, that's the update from here. My OB did write me another prescription for Clomid before I left Hawaii and I filled it, but I don't plan on taking it right away. I'm going to see what happens the next few cycles and try not to focus too much on trying to get pregnant. I feel more resigned than ever to not having another baby.
I did read a fascinating NY Times article today about stillbirth and three tests that can help determine the cause in many cases: placental examination, fetal autopsy, and genetic testing. We had all three of these done on Q and the placental examination did tell us what happened to her although we still don't know why. In any event, an interesting read for those of us who have experienced stillbirth (at least I find myself wanting to read and know everything about it).
You all are still very much in my thoughts, I'm just not at a computer very often (which is the whole point of this trip).
