Potential Parents

Below find an email exchange between two close friends and me today, after one of them sent along photos of an acquaintence's newborn. Isn't it interesting how our thoughts and views on pregnancy evolve over time? I, for one, never thought I'd doubt wanting to have a baby. But these days, it's all so unclear...

Lilly:
seriously cute baby (presumably c-section) with a seriously cute name [Sam].

Me:
Cute family. Why c-section??

Sacha:
These days, the attitude seems to be: why not a c-section. Very scary.... but I hope all was okay with the mommy and that the c-section was needed....

Lilly:
I'm just saying maybe because he's so perfect looking and usually the ones that are born vaginally get those squished heads from the trip down the birth canal.

Sacha:
Sometimes I think I really want a baby. But most of the time not. But today, yes. But then only because it would give me something else to think about other than myself and the state of the world.

Lilly:
Sometimes I think I want to be pregnant and have a baby more than I think I want to raise a baby.

Sacha:
Oh Man! When I was around 16 and someone asked if I wanted kids ever I said just that: I want to be pregnant more than have a kid. IF you give a kid up for adoption, do you get money? Know where I'm headed with this?

Lilly:
Being a surrogate in my limited understanding VERY lucrative. And I don't think I could bear to give it away, unless maybe to people I knew who would relate to me as an aunt. Maybe I couldn't handle that either. I think I want to be like the traditional dad who isn't in charge but gets to pitch in whenever it suits him.

Sacha:
Hmmm...I might be able to give the kid away...How lucrative are we talking?

Me:
So with you both on all this. Desperately want the big belly and full boobs and lucious, ripe pregnancy ... but am feeling way too self-centered to raise a kid the older I get. But couldn't give it away. No chance.

Sacha:
I always love the idea of eating for two. Not to eat twice as much but to put lots of time and love into what I'm eating and knowing it's for a little-boobula. But truth is, after hearing about pregnancy up close and personal not sure anymore. All the farting and peeing and not sleeping and then the fucking labor....

Lilly:
I'm in it for all the pregnancy--presuming nothing goes horribly wrong. Am biased because the women in my family have generally had easy pregnancies and births, so I have a false sense of security.

If only being self-absorbed gave other potential parents pause...