7 Quick Takes Friday

Well, there is still no baby. My doctor told me yesterday that I’m 1-2cm dilated (which is really nothing), and that’s about it. I’m having the odd contraction (Braxton-Hicks) here and there, usually when I’m on a walk, or going from sitting or lying down to standing up. That. is. it. I tried eating some spicy food yesterday. As is evidenced today, it did not seem to affect any systems relating to labour.

Motion 312 was defeated two days ago in Parliament. I am very saddened by this and it continues to baffle me how people ‘reason’ things out. The press has made it into an abortion debate, and while abortion is part of it, it is by no means the whole. Take, for instance, if I were to be hit by a distracted driver in my current, 9-month pregnancy state, and the result was that my child, in utero, was killed. There are no legal ground for justice for the harm done to my child simply because the child, though completely term, was still within my body. However, if I had been carrying my 6-7 week pre-term baby out of the hospital and this were to have happened, the child would have legal status, simply because he/she was not in-utero (though preterm). How can one reason that only by simple fact of the child being out of utero means that they are suddenly human and worthy of being defended by human rights? It’s utter nonsense.

And yes, of course it has implications for abortion. Women’s rights are nothing more than human rights properly applied to all humans, regardless of gender. So when we discuss whether someone should have human rights or not (such as Motion-312), we are in effect supporting the basis for women’s rights. And it’s all a little disconcerting given that women were basically denied human rights like that of the unborn now. The oppressed go from being oppressed to oppressing those who are in similar positions prior their ‘freedom’ and recognition as humans. Ultimately I feel like it reeks of arrogance. It reminds me of the passage from Matthew 18:23-35

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talentswas brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

It reminds me of the situation in the sense that one feels more superior over the other, though both are in similar situations. A friend of ours, Mike, wrote a great post on the unfortunate reality that the defeat of M-312 has revealed to us on his website, I Am Third. He sure put it all eloquently.

I am thoroughly enjoying Matthew Warner’s blog lately (Fallible Blogma). His posts are usually short, to the point, and create good space for reflection. I also find he has extreme reserve and good-naturedness when responding to critics in the combox, which is such a grace to watch. Were I to get responses as some of his posts do, I don’t know if I’d easily hold up my Christian values in responding to them as he does…he’s pretty good at it. The reflection I’m liking most right now is The Purpose of School.

I can’t stop writing about baby stuff. I’m sitting here trying to think of other Quick Takes from this past week, but I’m blanking and only coming up with baby-related things. My doctor also said that if I still haven’t started labour by next Thursday (my next appt), then she’ll strip my membranes to trigger labour, so long as I’m at least 3cm dilated (which she doesn’t think will be a problem). So at latest, my mom will be coming to stay with us starting Thursday. It’s relatively exciting to think that within a week, something thrilling should happen (though maybe not quite a baby yet).

My baking kick has slowed down. I still haven’t made my Black Magic Brownies yet, though the black beans sit ready in the fridge. Maybe tomorrow.

We are supposedly going to be getting some amazingly hot weather for September this weekend. And by that I mean tomorrow is supposed to be 27 degrees, which is crazy hot. Looks like they’ve altered Saturday to 24 degrees.

We might have to do something with water outside tomorrow.

It’s a full moon Saturday to Sunday. My mom seems pretty certain the baby might come on the full moon. Do you have any guesses when the babe will come? Any guesses on the gender? Other details I should know? (Due date by 8.5 week ultrasound was Oct. 4; at 20 week ultrasound it was Oct. 1).