Screw it, Let's do it

No, I am not talking about Richard Branson's 'Lesson in life and business' here, I am talking about my take on delivering my child the way I WANT it.

When I first found out about my pregnancy, I kept it as my delicious little secret. My little peanutbutter chocolate - a Willy Wonka candy, and a world of possibilities. Looking back, that was a truly idyllic time. Because as soon as I let the world in on my secret and stepped up to accept my public role as Pregnant Woman, everyone - from my family to my coworkers to the boundary-deficient older woman on the street who stopped to pat my tummy- had something to say about what was the best way to have a baby and be a mommy. Like it or not, I was going to be be thrust belly-first, into the mommy wars.

It seems that that every decision you make about raising a child in the twenty-first century, no matter how personal, is going to push someone else's buttons. Daycare or nanny? City or kampung? Public school or private or home school? Natural birth or C-section?

I have made my choice and have scheduled my operation for late November. Ryan and I have decided to deafen our ears and have bought books for research and to prep ourselves as well as speaking to our doctor about the pros and cons of the doing the C-section.

** I should point out that physicians do not prefer the terms Cesarean section and c-section. There are many theories about where the term "Cesarean" comes from, and one is that it derives from two Latin words, caedre and secare, which both mean "to cut." Since "section" also means "to cut", the terms Cesarean section and c-sectioin are redundant **

So when I told some close friends, and of course, the family about our decision - there was mixed response. Mostly gasps (amongst the ladies) and nods of (non) understanding from the gents (we will need to fork out more moolah).

So what if they don't agree with our choice right? Its none of their business right?

WRONG.

That's just the frustrating part. People really do believe it IS there business. Especially the family members. It might be our child, but it is their grandchild, niece and god-daughter. When I (stupidly) decided to tattoo my back or switch my major from medicine to mass communications, they may have not been thrilled, but hey, it's my life. THIS decision however, is going to affect the next link in the family chain, so they will worry, they will question our decision, and they WILL bug us to do what they believe is the best - even if their beliefs are based on the latest scientific breakthroughs of 1968.

Why is it then, that people, who have absolutely NO personal investment in my child, have such a strong opinion about my plans on how to deliver it?

I guess it all begins with that very admirable human instinct to throw a protective arm around an innocent baby, no matter whose baby it is - hence the MOMMY WARS.

I now tell friends and strangers, when they give me that alarmed look on my feng-shui set Operation date, that if God wants me to deliver via Vaginal birth, so be it. I will let fate take its course, but what is wrong with me planning my birth, right down to the time of delivery right?

So yes. Screw it. Let's do it Isobel. If you decide to come out earlier than expected, mum and dad will be ready for you. I saw you yesterday on a 3D ultrasound image. You have learnt to suck and curl that little tongue of yours!

28 weeks. 12 more to go. Or in my case, 10.