Turns out the doctor’s office has been giving me the wrong information for the past, oh, six, seven months. The baby, I just learned today, is actually due July 10th, not on Independence Day, as previously expected.
I’m still not sure why the screwup. The doctor tried to explain the discrepancy — something about it being the ultrasound nurse’s fault (yeah, way to pass the buck, buddy!) — but I was so flustered and upset when he gave me the news that all I wanted to do was get out of there.
I do recall being told during our very first visit way back when that the due date was around July 9. But then on subsequent visits — specifically during the ultrasounds — the date was changed to July 4. Jake and I didn’t question the change, figuring they’re, um, medical professionals and know what they’re doing!
Subsequently, I became very attached to July 4th. I don’t know why I fixated on this particular date — I didn’t even realize the extent to which I had fixated on it until I found myself whimpering in the parking lot this morning — since babies rarely come on their due dates anyway, but July 4th became THE day. I’ve been going around saying to everyone for the past 7 months, “Yep, she’s due July 4th. Our little Patriot! July 4th. What a firecracker! She’s coming July 4th. I’m making her a 3-tier, red, white and blue Jello cake, yessiree!” My mother-in-law even bought her a red onesie that says “Little Firecracker!!!!” It’s what I was going to bring her home from the hospital in.
And now she’s not coming July 4th.
Maybe it’s “the hormones” — em, does that sound like something the cartoon character Cathy would say? — but I feel like the rug has been ripped out from under me. Like I had been promised an end-of-year bonus only to have the boss renege. I was so crushed after I left the doctor’s office, I couldn’t even call Jake. Largely because I already knew what he’d say: “What’s the big deal? It’s only a 6 day difference.” Not the point, dearie!!! So I called my mom instead.
My mom, god bless her, offered words of encouragement and support…..but then right in the middle of the pep talk, added this pearl:
“When you do finally go into the labor, don’t let them do anything you don’t want them to do! When I was in labor with your brother and the doctor hadn’t arrived yet, the nurses wouldn’t even let me open my legs. They clamped my legs together.”
Me: ”…???….”
Now, I love my mom to death. She’s very spirited and very wise, but conversations have a way of circling back to some of the wackiest tales of personal injustice and misfortune I have ever heard.
Me: ”Mom, I can’t think about that right now.” What, did you give birth on an enemy space ship?
Mom: “I’m just saying, don’t let them do anything to you that—”
Me: ”MOM! I don’t want to hear about that right now!”
Mom: “Okay, okay….just hang in there, sweetie! Baby June will come when she’s good and ready!”
Not a moment too soon. I’m at my wit’s end!
All original content © 2012 by Jessie Knadler
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Maybe June will split the difference and arrive on July 7. There’s something very cool about having a “doubled” birthday (though perhaps I’m a bit biased, since MY birthday is 7/7).
Marisa: A 7/7 due date would be great!
Hang in there!
eat curry…lots of it as I am sure that’w what kick started Alex’s arrival.
CB: Interesting. And all this time, I’ve been eating hot peppers.
oh that sucks. it’s amazing how that due date becomes your world, then when they are born all you remember is their birthday. Although I’m sure you won’t forget June’s “original” due date….in the meantime, put your feet up and enjoy the fireworks!
Laura: That’s what I plan to do!
Think of it this way: you have a whole nother week to come hang out poolside and enjoy the peace and quiet.
When are you posting the bikini pics?
Becca: I’m there! And no bikini pics shall be posted!
And you realize, of course, that a due date isn’t the day she’ll actually arrive right?
Due dates for me — July 8 — born July 4, November 19 — born November 15, and April 21 — born April 14.
So maybe she’ll still be a firecracker for you!
Hi Jessie! I read the french magazine Elle, in which there is an article talking about you and your new way of life, and I was very curious to read about your daily experiences, as I have always lived the country life while working as a child psychiatrist. I love the way you write. I like the ideas that you have. I am sorry if my english seems weird, I am belgian, I speak french .
I also discovered that you are expecting a baby, which is another of my favorite subjects in life: pregnancy, babies, how it changes your whole conception of life… and so many other things!
I totally understand your being so disappointed over the due date: even though you KNOW it’s not really that important, somehow, it is! One other little thing: in my case my first baby girl came TEN days late. Yeah.
Hang in there!
I am so sorry that you have to wait longer to finally see little June. It makes me sad for you. One of the life lessons I have learned is that “wait” is one of the ugliest 4 letter words in our language.
My advice: plan on accomplishing some task that you have been putting off. Like putting a new roof on your house. By yourself. Chances are excellent that June will decide to make her appearance before you can finish. Works every time. almost.
No post yet, today, maybe June did decide to be a 4th of July baby! Mmmh, maybe not, I think you are still sleeping in the US!
I like Mama Wilson’s advice! Still, why not just enjoy those very last days of total fusion with your baby, those unique little kicks and bumps…
Hey, July 10 is a great day to be born, as I too was born that day. (Albeit almost 25 years ago.) July birthdays are awesome to begin with. Summer is in full swing and you can celebrate your birthday in a multitude of ways. July 4th is a cool day to have a birthday but whatever day baby June comes will be 1000 times more special than July 4th for you.
They did this same thing to me Jessie!! At the 20 week ultrasound they tried to move my due date BACK a week b/c the baby was measuring small. I didn’t ask questions until my next regular dr.s visit (our ultrasound was at the hospital instead of the dr. office). The OB had no clue that they told me a different due date at the ultrasound (i.e.-not much communication btwn these ppl) and said “we don’t move due dates according to 20 week ultrasound.” She went on to explain that the ultrasound isn’t as accurate as the 10 week scan (where they originally established the due date). So I moved from August 6th to the 14th then back to the 6th. Sometimes I wonder if they really know what they are doing…. But your mom is right, she’ll come when she’s good and ready!! Good luck!!
Hi Susanne: Good to know I’m not the only one who’s experienced ultrasound blunders. At least you got your due date figured out well in advance. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy! Next month already???!
That completely sucks that you had a last-minute due date bait and switch! Stupid ultrasound. I was very attached to my due date, until I realized that its true purpose was to serve as the measuring point for when they would induce me. My doc would not let his patients go more than two weeks after their due dates. Which is why I had the pleasure of dragging my huge, bloated pregnant ass around for for 42 weeks. But I was a sedentary office worker and you are undoubtedly much more physically active, even on you laziest days, than I ever was. That will help move things along. I know you know this too.
its only a few days off…not even a week.