Week 3 - Conception through Infancy
This week our reading centered around conception, pregnancy and infancy. I found the chapters, handout and video all interesting as I recall learning about the biology and science around these three topics. The more interesting part this week was the emotions I felt as I read the chapters and recalled each of my own pregnancies. Each of my pregnancies were unique and different and the information helped provide some context for me regarding my experiences.
The biology was of conception and pregnancy caught my attention. The DNA and chromosomal structures and how they related to the different hereditary disorders. With my last pregnancy I was considered "of advanced age" which required the doctor to explain the different genetic and chromosomal tests that could be done. The results of any test were not going to influence my husband and I into any decisions; therefore, we declined taking the tests. In the reading, I was astonished at the "2 million eggs" that would be available during a woman's reproductive years (pg. 61). I did not realize there were that many and that the eggs were developed when the female is a fetus! This makes sense why chromosomal disorders have an increased possibility as the female gets older. The eggs are aging as the female ages!
I had four pregnancies with two births and two miscarriages. I had the two miscarriages between my two sons and each miscarriage occurred at a different time. It was frustrating to not understand why the miscarriage occurred at the time. After reading Chapter 3 - Pregnancy and Prenatal Development, I felt I gained some insight about the miscarriage. It was my body's way of saying something didn't develop correctly or was not in the proper environment at the time. With each pregnancy, I was excited and established an emotional connection immediately. When the miscarriage happens, there is a physical change obviously but an emotional change as well. The emotional change takes place over time and is more challenging to move past. With the first and fourth pregnancies, I had boys and each pregnancy was different especially the birth.
Chapter 4 was more challenging to read because it was more emotional and meaningful to me. With my first pregnancy, my water broke despite no other signs my body was ready for labor. I experienced both types of fetal monitoring, was given pitocin to encourage stronger and more consistent contractions, my son was experiencing fetal distress due to the umbilical cord, my oxygen and blood pressure levels were dropping and had an epidural to manage the pain. My husband and I went to Lamaze class to learn how to work as a team during the birthing process. The thing they don't tell you is how to best handle your focus and breathing during the tense periods. Due to the circumstances and best efforts, the doctor advised I needed a C-Section to prevent complications for me or the baby. With my last pregnancy, it was a scheduled C-Section. That was a different experience since I did not have to go through the labor part. In some ways, I missed the labor because I felt more connected to the birth process. Going in for a scheduled surgery, the process was more clinical. I was much more aware during the surgery since I wasn't tired from labor. I paid more attention to the comments and talking that was occurring in the room. There really was no drama, which was nice, when our second son was born. I have a greater appreciation for my doctor and the nurses. While I realize the reading is informational, I think acknowledging the medical staff is important too. They are as much a part of this process as the biology and psychology because of their input, involvement and support.
The births of my sons was such a transformative experience for my husband and I. We were now responsible for two new lives to develop. Despite having similar genetics, the two boys were so different. Our oldest was long and slim while our youngest was shorter and heavier. One liked to sleep and was a light eater and our other son was always hungry and fought sleep. My husband and I wouldn't have it any other way. The readings this week generated much reflection and insight for me. I like to understand why and each chapter provided more answers to my questions from that period of time.
The biology was of conception and pregnancy caught my attention. The DNA and chromosomal structures and how they related to the different hereditary disorders. With my last pregnancy I was considered "of advanced age" which required the doctor to explain the different genetic and chromosomal tests that could be done. The results of any test were not going to influence my husband and I into any decisions; therefore, we declined taking the tests. In the reading, I was astonished at the "2 million eggs" that would be available during a woman's reproductive years (pg. 61). I did not realize there were that many and that the eggs were developed when the female is a fetus! This makes sense why chromosomal disorders have an increased possibility as the female gets older. The eggs are aging as the female ages!
I had four pregnancies with two births and two miscarriages. I had the two miscarriages between my two sons and each miscarriage occurred at a different time. It was frustrating to not understand why the miscarriage occurred at the time. After reading Chapter 3 - Pregnancy and Prenatal Development, I felt I gained some insight about the miscarriage. It was my body's way of saying something didn't develop correctly or was not in the proper environment at the time. With each pregnancy, I was excited and established an emotional connection immediately. When the miscarriage happens, there is a physical change obviously but an emotional change as well. The emotional change takes place over time and is more challenging to move past. With the first and fourth pregnancies, I had boys and each pregnancy was different especially the birth.
Chapter 4 was more challenging to read because it was more emotional and meaningful to me. With my first pregnancy, my water broke despite no other signs my body was ready for labor. I experienced both types of fetal monitoring, was given pitocin to encourage stronger and more consistent contractions, my son was experiencing fetal distress due to the umbilical cord, my oxygen and blood pressure levels were dropping and had an epidural to manage the pain. My husband and I went to Lamaze class to learn how to work as a team during the birthing process. The thing they don't tell you is how to best handle your focus and breathing during the tense periods. Due to the circumstances and best efforts, the doctor advised I needed a C-Section to prevent complications for me or the baby. With my last pregnancy, it was a scheduled C-Section. That was a different experience since I did not have to go through the labor part. In some ways, I missed the labor because I felt more connected to the birth process. Going in for a scheduled surgery, the process was more clinical. I was much more aware during the surgery since I wasn't tired from labor. I paid more attention to the comments and talking that was occurring in the room. There really was no drama, which was nice, when our second son was born. I have a greater appreciation for my doctor and the nurses. While I realize the reading is informational, I think acknowledging the medical staff is important too. They are as much a part of this process as the biology and psychology because of their input, involvement and support.
The births of my sons was such a transformative experience for my husband and I. We were now responsible for two new lives to develop. Despite having similar genetics, the two boys were so different. Our oldest was long and slim while our youngest was shorter and heavier. One liked to sleep and was a light eater and our other son was always hungry and fought sleep. My husband and I wouldn't have it any other way. The readings this week generated much reflection and insight for me. I like to understand why and each chapter provided more answers to my questions from that period of time.
I enjoyed you insight and how, the chapters made you reflect on your own experience of conception, birth and infancy. Do you believe that you were prepared as a parent even before conception, or did you feel the connection deeping and know how switch on?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I also didn't know that women were born with all the eggs in her ovaries. It does make a lot of sense why women would be more at risk in having children with chromosomal disorders. My mom too had my little sister at the age of 35, and doctors were telling her that she was at risk in having an abnormal pregnancy. They made her test herself for any evidence of chromosomal abnormalities. This only made her very worried and anxious. My parents determined together that they would accept the baby regardless of what tests may say. My little sister was born a healthy and beautiful baby, and I don't always believe everything that doctors may think. There is the existence of miracles and like the film "Life's Greatest Miracle" says, "it is not quantity but quality that matters" within a women's egg.
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