Comments on: Pop Quiz

By: Ashley Wallingford

Ashley Wallingford — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:35:05 +0000

First off, my wife hated being pregnant. She found that the “glow” never appeared. And all of those glorious midwifery tales of beautiful natural childbirths turned out to be hogwash for us..

In addition to that, yes there are many opinions presented by some very opinionated folks (including us) but really, we just went about our business and ignored most of the advice we received until we had the baby (9 weeks ago) and now we only pay attention to things that seem to help keep her happy. To heck, we thought, with all of that nutty, overplayed “eat this/don’t eat that” stuff. The baby is, of course, perfectly fine and super healthy and we don’t really worry about anything now (except if we should vaccinate or not). We have not yet used a stroller or a high chair or baby proofed anything (which will be a nightmare for me, anyway) and we first used her cradle yesterday…

The point is that it’s all about the baby, to heck with the stuff people think you need that you maybe don’t (at least right off) and all the paranoia about care. You have to try pretty hard to create an environment as bad as the one that most of our ancestors lived through as babies… The baby doesn’t care about any of it. All she wants is food and warmth and attention.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:42:28 +0000

If you are interested, we do have a high chair that is currently retired. They are highly useful if you want it. :)

By: Missie the Blogless

Missie the Blogless — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:59:26 +0000

Gene Weingarten’s online chat once had a big discussion about ass-wiping issues and methods. If I remember correctly, it was started by a very pregnant woman who was frustrated that she could no longer reach down from the front.

Here’s a good one for you - my friend Natalie’s mom started talking to her the other day about the possibility of her UNBORN son turning out to be gay!

By: gls

gls — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:11:11 +0000

I really don’t remember K getting all that kind of advice/questions/proclamations from people — at least she didn’t mention it happening when we weren’t together, and it didn’t happen when we were.

When we did get the advice was just after L was born. We had the odd cultural differences to deal with as well. Polish doctors demand you bath the infant daily, put baby oil all over her, and absolutely under no circumstances hold her vertically for the first six months — you can warp their spine forever! Our American midwife told us to bath her twice during that first two weeks or so (until the cord stump falls off), and then every other day. She told us not to use any kind of oil whatsoever. As for holding her vertically, we had no choice. L slept vertically, in the wrap, for the first three weeks…

The thing about pregnancy that killed me personally was the anticipation, particularly in the final weeks. It seemed K had had a beach ball under her shirt for entirely too long and we were both just ready to meet L.

By: Karan

Karan — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:09:01 +0000

Pregnancy is a global event. Everyone has an opinion and old ladies like to put their hands upon you….I would have preferred to have kept the whole thing a secret but then there’s that ginormous bump that’s pretty hard to hide.

Bad news…it doesn’t go away just because the baby starts sucking air…you’re stuck with the advice, suggestions and opinions for the rest of your life.

But babies are cute so it’s worth it.

By: Auntie M

Auntie M — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:22:42 +0000

I didn’t tell one woman at work that I’m pregnant because
she argued with me last time that I “had” to find out whether the baby was a boy or a girl. Because of decorating the nursery. Because the baby CARES about what room it will sleep in and will be horribly offended if it’s not the right color or something. It’s a baby, not an interior decorator.

Just start saying that she’s got a giant cancerous tumor-not a baby. And how dare you assume that someone is pregnant unless they tell you? That might stop the strangers in their tracks. Nothing you can do about the coworkers. My coworkers constantly ask how I’m doing, but they’re mostly doing so because I lost the last one so late and they’re honestly worried about me. I assume that they’ll become asses when it’s clear I’ll go full term….which should be right about the time I go back to school in the fall.

By: thudfactor

thudfactor — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 21:18:48 +0000

No, we didn’t — I don’t anticipate an argument from either side about induction. Although I am sure there are strangers who will be eager to offer an opinion.

By: Laundro

Laundro — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 12:57:51 +0000

Did you lie to your parents about your due date. I am hoping you are not late. :(

By: Elf

Elf — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:48:36 +0000

Ass-wiping: be sure to wipe front to back. Little girls are taught this before they even get to the Big Girl Potty. I thought the matter was closed until I started reading pregnancy books and materials, but they do all want to make sure I know that.