Noralie Schonewille

Chapter 7 176 "Yeah, I'm also like laughing a bit like that because she's moving really a lot. So, I'm laughing a bit that she will be either a dancer or a kickboxer in the future." (Participant 6) The reality of having a baby was also instilled by ultrasounds, which play an important role in visualizing the baby. This happened both literally and metaphorically. Participant 1 explained how she imagined her baby physically look like his father on ultrasound. Interestingly, she also comments on his character. As the baby is in a breech position, doing things differently from others. In this way, ultrasounds enhance fantasizing about the baby. "Yeah, they really saw those long legs in one of the first ultrasounds, I thought; oh, that's really my boyfriend, and in the 3D ultrasound, you can really see his face in there, so, yeah, I'm curious. So far, he's doing everything in his own way, the fact that he's even being born is, of course, not initially a choice from us. And, yeah, I just think he's very stubborn, he was in breech position, so, yeah." (Participant 1) Another meaning of fetal movements was the creation of a bond between expectant mothers and babies. Participant 4 described how she feels love toward her baby as she makes contact with her belly. "And I feel tenderness towards him, I feel a lot of love towards him. Like last night, normally he is very active at night, he wasn’t active last night, and I was like I can’t fall asleep until I felt him move. Because I, I was like I need to make sure he’s still alive." (Participant 4) Contrary to the positive feelings and ideations that resulted from fetal movements or visualizations of the baby on ultrasounds, fears regarding the pregnancy were also metaphorically described. The interview guide specifically addressed any ideations or fears regarding the unborn child. Women gave substance to these fears by fantasizing about the baby. "I think once I know that, that I can begin to kind of, again like personify or humanize it a little bit more. Because at this point it’s just a thing, like this unmortise thing that is in me and wreaking havoc on my sanity." (Participant 8) "I am really scared. About newborn babies. When I think about it, I, well it's... I don't know. I have a bad feeling about it. But I love a child. So, it's, it's interesting because I love child, but I love, I, when I see the child is like after, after they start walking. So, I

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