It seems a millennia ago, that I moved across the country to live in BC. I am a girl from Prince Edward Island but had to move so that I could work in my profession and get paid what I thought I was worth. I worked 8 1/2 years at St. Paul’s Hospital before “retiring” as my colleagues called it. I wasn’t planning on going back to the profession as I was burned out. I spent 15 years in healthcare and “retired” at the age of 36 to pursue other options, when mommyhood finally called. I was blessed with not 1 baby, but 2, at the same time.
We did IVF so that I could become a mother. Yes, I knew that I could adopt, but I wanted the experience of being pregnant. The doctor was actually surprised when he confirmed my pregnancy.
“uh, I think you need a bigger car”, he said.
“why?” I asked.
“Well, … there’s 2.”
“Right.” I said matter of fact. “You put 2 in, so why are you surprised?”
“Well, I didn’t think they would both work.”
To be fair, my follicles grew fast so we implanted before the “usual” period of 5 days. So he didn’t think that the “big” one would work. For months after giving birth, I actually ruminated over “which baby wasn’t supposed to have worked”. I stopped thinking that after a few months, but the worrywart in me couldn’t let it go for a while.
So we had 2 babies. A boy and girl. We were actually early. Most pregnancies are 40 weeks, but twin pregnancies are usually only 38 weeks. So I was scheduled for a C-section 3 days after Thanksgiving 2011. Instead, we think that baby girl (Twin A) had other ideas as my water broke on September 23rd, a Friday. I was on my way to a workshop that I needed for my peer review (for certification in my profession). I ended up being late and then having to leave after an hour. I was actually at the Children’s hospital and had to go to the hospital that I used to work at. Dragged my poor husband from work, only to be told that I wasn’t dilated, I had likely just peed my pants, go home.
Hmm. I think I know the difference. But anyhow, went home. My baby shower was the following day at a choir member’s house (hubby and I met in the church choir). I was uncomfortable and my feet were swollen. But it was lovely. Afterwards, we had friends back to the house for BBQ & Catan (Settlers of Catan board game). Usually I play but I spent my time going upstairs to google “what does a contraction feel like?” As I was having twins, it was assumed that my birth plan was a C-section so no one ever told me what contractions were like or what to look for.
Long story short, I saw the same intern who then said “oh you are dilated now.” and we had twins born on hubby’s birthday. So in September, there is a mass party and I have had to explain to my children that they don’t get presents on my birthday in January, which confuses them.
That ASD Mom 