# The joy of average and a parent's tears. An update on Beta-chan **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 1, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460 "2008-08-01T04:10:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/1 "2008-08-01T04:10:49Z")
A single dot denotes the start of The Graph, and then upper and lower limits slowly diverge for 40 some weeks. There are other graphs, but only The Graph is viewed with such intensity. Fetal weight, height, amniotic fluid. They’re all duly graphed and noted. And Beta-chan’s dots line up perfectly with Average. Smiles from all. The Graph, though, is special. The Graph is fetal head size, and an abnormality there would be a repeat of the unthinkable. The doctor types and clicks and the lines appears. Beta-chan’s head is a tiny dot, a bit higher than the center line, but well below the upper line. Beta-chan is average, the answer to the thoughts and prayers of countless friends and family throughout the world. Oh, and it’s full of grey. At 1.4 kg, just over 3 lbs, and with no serious defects, Beta-chan would be a viable baby – albeit far too tiny and a long term resident of a NICU – if something when wrong and she were born now. There’s no need to hurry, and Little Sticky will remain in her safe sanctuary for now. Far stronger than Ian, she freaks out her mother with alien-like squirms and kicks. My wife is getting large and feels bloated and somewhat constipated. The doctor nods and says it’s an average pregnancy. Tears well up and stream unashamed down the father’s face. Average is such a wonderful, beautiful word. Let me know if I post too frequently on this. People keep asking for updates and ask how she’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![Ducktail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@Ducktail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ducktail)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/2 "2008-08-01T04:26:19Z")
Wonderful to hear! I’m a longtime lurker and only an occasional poster now, but I still extend my best wishes to you and your family. Also, thank you for being such an informative doper–you’re one of my favorites to come across on the boards. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/3 "2008-08-01T05:16:07Z")
Woo! I’m so glad to hear she’s doing well… Stay sticky, Beta-chan! We’re talking [Katamari Damacy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katamari_Damacy)-levels of sticky here. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/4 "2008-08-01T05:22:18Z")
You can NEVER post too frequently about Beta-chan, **TokyoPlayer**. It is rare that I respond to the threads but I always read them and tear up a bit at the thought that such a wonderful man who so wants to be a father is finally getting the opportunity. I, too, am thinking grey, sticky thoughts for your little one. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/5 "2008-08-01T05:35:03Z")
Ah gosh, that was sweet. I’m so happy the pregnancy is going well. ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/6 "2008-08-01T05:43:48Z")
New grandmom here, _TokyoPlayer_. Kiss your wife for us & reassure her that the baby’s stomping on her bladder is normal. Keep us apprised. Love, Phil ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/7 "2008-08-01T06:27:40Z")
Yay! Great to hear things are going along so well! ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/8 "2008-08-01T06:37:20Z")
Thanks so much for the update! ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/9 "2008-08-01T06:41:28Z")
Yay! Glad to hear Beta-chan’s doing well. Don’t worry about posting too much. How could we not want to know how Beta-chan and you guys are doing? Keep on sticking, little Beta-chan! And keep on makin’ gray in that new little head of yours! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/10 "2008-08-01T07:41:01Z")
I have the “yay, Beta-Chan!” lolcat on my desktop 🙂 coworkers have mentioned repeatedly that it “doesn’t seem like (my) style” - so by now every one of them knows that it’s “about these friends of mine who are pregnant.” Stickyyyyyy! ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/11 "2008-08-01T07:49:08Z")
That’s such good news to hear! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/12 "2008-08-01T08:04:46Z")
Yay! I shall not tire of posts like these, ever. It’s truly touching, and I enjoy reading them. Good luck to you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/13 "2008-08-01T08:56:50Z")
You can never post too many updates about little Beta-chan! Stickystickystickystickystickystickystickystickysticky!!! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/14 "2008-08-01T09:18:09Z")
Yay! :: breathes huge sigh of relief :: (There’s a LOLcat for this?) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/15 "2008-08-01T10:12:05Z")
[post 28](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=474817) courtesy of **brujaja** ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/16 "2008-08-01T11:41:33Z")
Glad to hear Beta-Chan is staying so sticky for you! ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/17 "2008-08-01T12:02:36Z")
That is good to hear TP. How many ultrasounds are they doing? With my second baby, they did them monthly; I remember those graphs well. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/18 "2008-08-01T12:09:23Z")
Yay!!! I’m getting a little teary here, myself. ---
**Author:** ![MissMossie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MissMossie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMossie)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/19 "2008-08-01T12:18:55Z")
Congratulations! Here’s another vote for not being able to update us too often. My sister is a week away from giving birth to my first niece. She was a high risk pregnancy for various reason with a couple very real scares thrown in to keep things from being to boring. We’ve been excited every time the OB says that the baby looks average. Sticky thoughts are still on my mind for your little one. Anyone want to start thinking Teflon thoughts for my niece is welcome to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460/20 "2008-08-01T12:20:17Z")
Thank goodness! Average and full of grey. Continuing prayers here, and you can’t post too much about Beta-chan. Not possible. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joy-of-average-and-a-parents-tears-an-update-on-beta-chan/458460.md?page=2)