Plans Change

I live in a mid-western town where the metro-area is just shy of half a million people. That’s big enough to foster business, diversity, and education. We’ve got an art district and independent business districts. The larger culture has a strong conservative flavor, and I’m sheltering myself from that as long as possible. I have only spoken to a few supportive friends about my plans, and I didn’t anticipate a cultural road block so soon.

The irony of going to a fertility specialist without actually having any infertility is not lost on me. However, I was surprised to learn that the local fertility specialist will only treat married couples. The next closest option is 200 miles away. They want to do an initial consultation and discuss my options at that time. I already feel like I’m on approval and hope they will work with me. I’ve been diligently saving vacation time for after the baby is born, and each trip I make requires a full day of vacation. 

Popular wisdom says that parenthood delivers many unexpected changes of plans, and I suppose it is only fitting that they would begin now. In the meantime, I intend to drink a latte today and take a nap – things that are either not recommended during pregnancy or are scarce once a child arrives.