Pregnant, far, far away.
Everything about the pregnancy was different than what my friends were going through back in the states. My letters must have seemed as strange to them as theirs did to me.
I had a standing appointment every month at the hospital in Landstuhl. All 82 wives who were due the second week of December would sign in and get in line. Medics weighed us, took our blood pressure, and listened to our hearts. In a few months they would also take a blood sample and listen to the babys heart. Air Force Medics.....not Doctors. I never saw a Doctor. And I never saw the same medic twice, at least not close enough together to remember one. We were given a chance to say we were having a problem, but if there was no problem we went through the whole procedure, in line. The biggest surprise was their rule for our weight. We were allowed to gain 25 LBS. over the nine months. One single pound over 25, and they would put us in the hospital and control every bite we received till our baby arrived. Thus, my extreme diet including lots of tuna. It was easy to get. Easy to fix.....open a can an eat plain, and it was nutritous without adding pounds. I was determined no one was putting me in the hospital.
It was an easy pregnancy. All medical tests were ok, and my weight made the officials happy. I did tend to pass out on occasion. That scared a few people who happened to be near when I went down. I passed out once in the base book store and once in the commissary. Other times I was just walking with friends. It always happened when I was walking. I was fine as long as I was sitting. So, the lessons learned in childhood still applied. I was better off being lazy. There were things I missed doing and sometimes I would rebel. But each time I did, I had to pay the price. Extreme headache, dizzyness or fainting. What really surprised me was being able to sit in the club surrounded by the loud, live, amplified music of The Dudes. It never did make the headache worse. I could relax and the music seemed to flow through me. I "felt" music instead of pain. Vibration usually drives me crazy, but the music never did. Even with those amplifiers right near our table. I wondered about that often, it didn't make sense. And it has never been explained to me. Is it the rhythm that makes the difference? One flows, one jars?
The 7th month of pregnancy meant appointments twice during the month. And, from the 8th on, I had to go every week. I was right on schedule according to the medics. Baby had a heart beat when he was suppose to. He kicked on schedule. Talking to whichever of the 82 were nearest me in line, also soothed any fears. We were all young and a long way from "HOME" and we supported each other. As our time grew near, some of the 82 went missing. There was a lot of chatter about who had delivered during the week. Our numbers dwindled during the week, and new faces were replacing them. But, I was still there.
As Christmas approached, I was getting anxious letters from Mom. She was convinced something was wrong and I wasns't telling her. I assured her they were assuring me all was still ok. They thought I'd missed the period date. I knew that wasn't possible. This baby was as lazy as me. They didn't have the scans back then. At least not at the Air force Hospital. My babies heartbeat was strong and he was kicking me very strongly. And he was getting long. He actually tore whatever holds the flesh to the ribcage. Those little feet pushed themselves upwards and I could pull the flesh out away from my ribs for months after he was born.
Another month had gone by. It was mid January and still no baby. Then the end of January. Now even the Medics were talking about inducing labor. But, just talking. I'd gained 22 pounds and they did tell me not to worry about my weight anymore. All 82 of my gang were home with babies and I had outlasted several more weekly groups. I was beginning to feel like a freak.
I had a standing appointment every month at the hospital in Landstuhl. All 82 wives who were due the second week of December would sign in and get in line. Medics weighed us, took our blood pressure, and listened to our hearts. In a few months they would also take a blood sample and listen to the babys heart. Air Force Medics.....not Doctors. I never saw a Doctor. And I never saw the same medic twice, at least not close enough together to remember one. We were given a chance to say we were having a problem, but if there was no problem we went through the whole procedure, in line. The biggest surprise was their rule for our weight. We were allowed to gain 25 LBS. over the nine months. One single pound over 25, and they would put us in the hospital and control every bite we received till our baby arrived. Thus, my extreme diet including lots of tuna. It was easy to get. Easy to fix.....open a can an eat plain, and it was nutritous without adding pounds. I was determined no one was putting me in the hospital.
It was an easy pregnancy. All medical tests were ok, and my weight made the officials happy. I did tend to pass out on occasion. That scared a few people who happened to be near when I went down. I passed out once in the base book store and once in the commissary. Other times I was just walking with friends. It always happened when I was walking. I was fine as long as I was sitting. So, the lessons learned in childhood still applied. I was better off being lazy. There were things I missed doing and sometimes I would rebel. But each time I did, I had to pay the price. Extreme headache, dizzyness or fainting. What really surprised me was being able to sit in the club surrounded by the loud, live, amplified music of The Dudes. It never did make the headache worse. I could relax and the music seemed to flow through me. I "felt" music instead of pain. Vibration usually drives me crazy, but the music never did. Even with those amplifiers right near our table. I wondered about that often, it didn't make sense. And it has never been explained to me. Is it the rhythm that makes the difference? One flows, one jars?
The 7th month of pregnancy meant appointments twice during the month. And, from the 8th on, I had to go every week. I was right on schedule according to the medics. Baby had a heart beat when he was suppose to. He kicked on schedule. Talking to whichever of the 82 were nearest me in line, also soothed any fears. We were all young and a long way from "HOME" and we supported each other. As our time grew near, some of the 82 went missing. There was a lot of chatter about who had delivered during the week. Our numbers dwindled during the week, and new faces were replacing them. But, I was still there.
As Christmas approached, I was getting anxious letters from Mom. She was convinced something was wrong and I wasns't telling her. I assured her they were assuring me all was still ok. They thought I'd missed the period date. I knew that wasn't possible. This baby was as lazy as me. They didn't have the scans back then. At least not at the Air force Hospital. My babies heartbeat was strong and he was kicking me very strongly. And he was getting long. He actually tore whatever holds the flesh to the ribcage. Those little feet pushed themselves upwards and I could pull the flesh out away from my ribs for months after he was born.
Another month had gone by. It was mid January and still no baby. Then the end of January. Now even the Medics were talking about inducing labor. But, just talking. I'd gained 22 pounds and they did tell me not to worry about my weight anymore. All 82 of my gang were home with babies and I had outlasted several more weekly groups. I was beginning to feel like a freak.
posted by LeeAnn | 4:47 PM
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