Hi everyone,
My husband and I are crazy about each other, crazy for babies and kids, but we are not crazy about this pregnancy, even though it seems like we have been doing a pretty good job faking it for each other. Please save negative comments -- we are very grateful for this baby and already care for him/her very much, and yes, we are aware that this is our own doing.
We're not ready. We are living paycheck to paycheck in a trashy one bedroom apartment, neither of us have health insurance, and we make too much for Medicaid, CHIP, or any other government programs. I looked into buying private health insurance -- not only is it unaffordable, but most plans don't offer maternity coverage. No, there is no place for us to cut back.
I can't tell my employer until the last minute. I am aware of laws (I work in a law office, they are too) that say I cannot be fired for being pregnant or passed over for a promotion, but I would be passed over, and that promotion in the next few months could mean health insurance for me. It is a small, small chance that I will hang onto for as long as possible. As it stands, any maternity leave I take will be unpaid, so I pretty much need to have this baby on a lunch break.
I'm very healthy and active and have never had any reproductive problems. I've been taking prenatal vitamins. I'll be doing sliding scale visits via the health department (scary place) but even then, I can only actually go as I can afford them.
Everyone tells me, prenatal care is so important, blah blah blah. When I was applying for WIC this week (I make too much for that, too) the nutritionist said I should even be going to the dentist! I laughed. Even on this website, every other phrase is "talk to your OB" or "ask your OB about this cool thing." I feel like I'm missing out. I know in my heart that if there is anything wrong with the baby at this point, there's not much to see or be done anyway so I try not to worry. But I do, and I'm so jealous of the women going to the OB seemingly for fun every few weeks, getting to hear heartbeats and see 4D ultrasounds and all of that.
Any advice? How can I get more excited for this baby? Maybe this isn't so much about wanting feedback as it is me wanting to get this off my chest. Thank you!
Re: 8 weeks and super stressed
Honestly, I've found pregnancy more and more a means to an end and not this thing to spend all your emotion and glowing-ness over. Plenty of people have had babies in less than ideal circumstances, and it all worked out fine.
Take care of yourself, GL on the promotion, and I hope your financial picture improves soon.