I ventured down yesterday with my 3 girls to get a routine scan done. We arrived at the scan clinic which looked more like a train station with people crammed into a small open room and sprawled out onto the street. I managed to squeeze my way through to the front desk and hand them my scan form. I then joined the multitudes outside and found a small concrete step to sit on. The girls went for a walk as the wait was going to be at least 45 mins.
All eyes were on me as I waited with everyone. I didn't realise that putting on some lip balm would become the focal point of interest for all around. I realised at this point that I am still very much a foreigner her in Kollegal. We and the two volunteers are the only westerners living here.
After about an hour I was called in and again pushed my way through the crowd. The girls were not allowed to come in but it didn't really matter because I didn't get to see the baby on the scan either. I did get to see the lady before me though as the next person is brought in while you are getting your scan done and every time the sliding door is opened the whole waiting crowd get to see your belly.
The very large printed signs reading SEX DETERMINATION PROHIBITED was fairly clear that I was not going to find out the sex of this baby but I don't mind, a surprise will be nice. I can understand why this is in a country where females are aborted at a high rate.
The sonographer asked how many children I had and was clearly not impressed with my answer when he relied "for what purpose" and then followed up with, "You will have an operation after this." with which I replied "No, I have a different philosophy on children" and left it at that.
The good news is that there is one very healthy baby in my belly and it is measuring 2 weeks bigger than the expected date. I know I have been feeling bigger than usual and had even wondered if I had twins on the way. Once I see my OB I will discuss with her if she sees any need to adjust arrival dates of this baby or just go with the fact it is a big baby so far. Everything else on the scan looked optimal for a good birth ahead. I was sent away with 3 tiny pics of baby, one of it's skull, one of it's belly and one of something that I do not know what it is. This is going to be the biggest surprise package we have had. Exciting really.
All eyes were on me as I waited with everyone. I didn't realise that putting on some lip balm would become the focal point of interest for all around. I realised at this point that I am still very much a foreigner her in Kollegal. We and the two volunteers are the only westerners living here.
After about an hour I was called in and again pushed my way through the crowd. The girls were not allowed to come in but it didn't really matter because I didn't get to see the baby on the scan either. I did get to see the lady before me though as the next person is brought in while you are getting your scan done and every time the sliding door is opened the whole waiting crowd get to see your belly.
The very large printed signs reading SEX DETERMINATION PROHIBITED was fairly clear that I was not going to find out the sex of this baby but I don't mind, a surprise will be nice. I can understand why this is in a country where females are aborted at a high rate.
The sonographer asked how many children I had and was clearly not impressed with my answer when he relied "for what purpose" and then followed up with, "You will have an operation after this." with which I replied "No, I have a different philosophy on children" and left it at that.
The good news is that there is one very healthy baby in my belly and it is measuring 2 weeks bigger than the expected date. I know I have been feeling bigger than usual and had even wondered if I had twins on the way. Once I see my OB I will discuss with her if she sees any need to adjust arrival dates of this baby or just go with the fact it is a big baby so far. Everything else on the scan looked optimal for a good birth ahead. I was sent away with 3 tiny pics of baby, one of it's skull, one of it's belly and one of something that I do not know what it is. This is going to be the biggest surprise package we have had. Exciting really.
I love surprise packages - especially when they come out looking as cute as yours do!
ReplyDelete