Note: Read the last article in this series here: Che was able to postpone his work trip for a month so that he could be home while I recovered. I was incredibly grateful that he could be there. He would be the person to drop me off on the day of surgery and pick me up when I returned home. Dr. Haney does over 100 of these surgeries (pre-pregnancy TAC) a year, so I wasn't at … [Read more...]
Search Results for: the road to reproduction
The Road to Reproduction: The Due Date
Note: Read the last article in this series here. I spent most of 2012 attempting to allow myself to heal emotionally, spiritually and physically. I avoided most baby showers and as May 4th, my due date rolled around I was deeply depressed. I had signed up for e-mail lists and mailings for pregnant women while I was pregnant and it seemed like as soon as I thought I’d … [Read more...]
The Road to Reproduction: Finally, A Diagnosis
Note: Read the last article in this series here. The morning arrived for me to go to the doctor. As I walked in, scrapbook in hand, she looked at me with tears. This was the first “female” doctor who I felt I really had a connection with. Besides my friends, she was the one who let me hear the baby’s heart beat for the first time. She was the one who gave me the May 4, … [Read more...]
The Road To Reproduction: Cutting the Umbilical Cord
Note: This story discusses a pregnancy loss in detail and is a part of a series. Click here to read the previous entry. My two best friends went away to get me a large White Mocha from Starbucks as I had totally cut caffeine out of my diet, along with a large cupcake. By the time they returned, I had Charley Horses in my abdomen. After about 2 hours, she came out still … [Read more...]
The Road to Reproduction: A New Womb Mate
Every woman is taught that everything is fine with your pregnancy once you make it past the first trimester. My name is Donnie Smith and I'm a wife, High School English Teacher, scrapbooker and a stepmother. I'm also a dreamer, a planner and a recovering worry addict. My husband Che "Rhymefest" Smith is a grammy-award winning writer, hip hop artist and a community activist. He … [Read more...]
Road To Reproduction: I’ve Decided…No More Ovulation Testing!
Trying to conceive is an emotionally & spiritually taxing process. I honestly thought that we’d be pregnant by this time. I thought I’d be nearing the end of my first trimester, planning baby showers and shopping Black Friday for baby related sales. It didn’t seem this difficult the first time. Over the last couple of months we started using Ovulation Tests to increase our … [Read more...]
Road To Reproduction: Finding Joy Until Our Precious Baby Arrives
Note: Read the last article in this series here: Two weeks ago, my husband Che called to say he had a surprise for me. After agonizing all day about it because he gives such amazing gifts, I twiddled my thumbs and watched the clock. My phone rings. "Babe, can you help me with something, I'm outside." After running outside, barefoot, he hands me a dog pillow and a … [Read more...]
Road to Reproduction: The Cradle Will Fall
NOTE: This piece describes a pregnancy loss in detail. I was a pro at checking in to the ER, as this was my third visit during my pregnancy. I wanted to inquire about frequent visitor prizes. It was about 10:00 p.m. on December 8, 2011. “Brown blood” during pregnancy is fine because it’s old. This time there was “red” blood which is always a red flag because it is usually a … [Read more...]
Facing Autism: 10 Things We Think About When Considering A Second Child
When are you having second child? Does Angel get lonely? People ask me these questions all the time. Some even tell me that I am depriving Angel of having a playmate. In essence, they all want to know when my six-year old son will get a brother or sister. All I can say is: “I don’t know.” When Angel was born, my husband and I never asked IF we would have a second child. We … [Read more...]