Discovery

Rose and I discovered that she was pregnant on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 8:47 pm.  A few weeks prior, we bought a package of two pregnancy tests. On that night, we were using the second test, and two lines appeared.  Neither of us was expecting Rose to be pregnant that night and I responded with yelling 'Ah!' several times.  This was an expression of facing the unexpected.

Today, in late December, we are continuing to learn about pregnancy and birth every day.  We have selected a midwife and are considering a home birth.  We have immersed ourselves in reading material and movies on various aspects of the process.  As some of the material will doubtless be worth remembering for me, and learning of for others (and most of the items are borrowed from the local library), I will be posting the titles and my reflections.  I hope also to discuss some of the features specific to us in the city of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada.  

Much of the material that we have been consulting (including a book on my imminent fatherhood as well as movie productions, such as The Business of Being Born and the Sage Femme's Home Birth series) focus on the process and birthing options in the United States.  There are important differences between the medical care options in the two countries and, in Canada, in the various Canadian provinces (services may also differ in centres within the same province).  There are also differences between the American and Canadian post-pregnancy options and, in particular, maternity and parental leave.  It will soon be time for us to learn about these options as well.  Reflections, discoveries, and surprises are all to come.

Your comments, ideas, and advice are welcomed.