Letter to my Unborn Son

Dearest baby residing in my womb,

Thank you for affording me the honor of being your mom. From the morning when the first home pregnancy test flashed two lines I felt a tremendous responsibility towards you. Starting that very moment I went from being mother of three to mother of four. Regardless of the outcome of the early pregnancy, you would forever be counted as “one of my kids”, you made it onto our roster of children.

Once I realized I was pregnant, I immediately made diet and life changes to accommodate the growing life inside my body. Soft cheeses, deli meat, and wine were banished and I cleared my social calendar in preparation for the fatigue and sleepiness. My first prenatal appointment took place the day I had the first positive home pregnancy test. I have seen the OB/GYN on a regular schedule and accepted most of the tests offered.

We are now in the first part of the third trimester, officially in the home stretch of this 40 week journey. In a few short months we will meet face to face, heart to heart, and just an hour later you will lay against my chest looking for your very first meal.

I have worked very hard at giving you the optimal opportunities for growth and development, but we all know that there are forces beyond our power that could come into play. There are genetics and luck – (or lack there of) that may affect your growth and development. So far, all our blood tests, ultrasounds, echocardiogram and prenatal check ups have come back great. You are a little large for your gestational age, but that is not unusual in our family.

You may wonder why I have subjected myself to all these appointments and tests, none of which have affected you directly. You may fear that you are one diagnosis away from not making it to your birthday. What IS the purpose of getting prenatal tests done? The answer to this question is highly personal, and varies from family to family and unfortunately from diagnosis to diagnosis. However, baby son – from the bottom of my heart, I can reassure you that we only get tests done for one single reason: to give you the best chances at a happy life.

There is not a label or a medical term that will ever make us love you any less. Our commitment to you as our child will never change or lessen regardless of what any doctor says about your future or health. You are our baby – you are our fourth son, and we are forever committed to you and your happiness.

So far all our tests have been negative and “normal”, which is not something I take for granted. I am thankful and appreciative of our uneventful pregnancy journey so far. However, should things change over the next few months, baby – please know that we will put the best team in place to secure your safe delivery. We will sacrifice whatever is necessary to ensure that we will meet face to face, heart to heart. That is my promise to you son, as your mother.

Sincerely,