Officially the one week count down has started. I've been fooled before, with periods of false OR pre-labor....I remember clearly when Elousia's labor began, thinking, "OH YA, This is how it feels!". This will be my 5th labor experience, with our 4th living child. Some kind folks often ask if it's my first - I'm not really sure how to respond, but sheepishly tell them it's my 4th (not ashamed - just not sure how to tell them)...their response usually has to do with telling me that I'll know what to expect, like I'm some sort of pro at this birthing thing. "Ya, Right!?!" Ya, the rose-colored memory of my past 3 homebirths, kind of blocks my true memory of how it all began...and can I really manage it this time???
Thanks to Kelly who took these photos, she encouraged me by telling me it wasn't until her sixth labor that she kind of felt like she had a grasp on it....That is the second Mama to tell me that (said in a sing-song voice: "ya, it was about my sixth or seventh that I felt like I could manage this!") Well that's just peachy, I'm a few short of that! Now, I shouldn't be so negative, I love birth, I love pregnancy, I'm devastated by losses.
I had hoped to get into the new birthing center in our city with this birth, for something different. Yes, the above photo shows one of the birthing rooms! Lots of space, large tub for laboring OR waterbirth, bathroom equipped with shower nozzles everywhere to address that back labor, nice wood ladder for dangling off of or pushing...so many lovelies that my home currently does not have...not to mention SPACE! If you are a local, and you are thinking that you want to go with this, I should let you know that a midwife is mandatory over a doctor, because there is no intervention or pain medication available here. It's just like a homebirth...away from home. Alas, they are not open for births until after Nov. 22. For us, now, it's a race against time to compile the birth supplies and prepare my own space! I'll let you know what the final outcome is!
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You are so beautiful! I just know that you'll do amazing, as always. Looking forward to meeting the newest little!
ReplyDeleteWow! You're so close! I can't wait to hear the news! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, no PJ. I am so sorry to hear that you can't use the birthing centre. I know you were really looking forward to this. May this be an encouragement to you...
ReplyDeleteYou know how much I really wanted a home birth with MJ (#3) and I didn't get it. Then the doctors told me they would recommend inducing me, another disappointment. I know it is NOT GOd's will for me to suffer so I began claiming His promises for me and I refused to budge.
As you know this birth was my best. I honestly feel it was His way of rewarding my faithfulness through all the tough disappointments I faced prior to having her. I never did need to be drug induced. I really held firm, praying, "Lord, I've given up so many of my hopes and dreams for this birth you need to make this happen for me. Take this pain that you sent your Son for and send the Holy Spirit to speak peace over this delivery." I would pray this over and over again, breathing in the Holy Spirit with each breath.
I claimed His blood over my pain and even as the toughest part came, I all but demanded He make the rest happen for my good and His glory. He did and this birth was better than I would have hoped for.
You have faced so many disappointments during the duration of this pregnancy, but God wants to turn it all to goodness. Children are a blessing, that means so is the birthing of them. Hold Him to His promises and He will deliver.
I love you so much. Your heart glows with the Lord's grace, wisdom and mercy.
I've been thinking of you the last few days as I knew your time must be drawing near. I can "feel" your nearness just in your words here. I remember all these feeling so well. My friend and I joke b/c with our daughters, we both denied that we were in labor up till arriving at the hospital near transition. :) You just never want to be "that" mom who arrives "in the zone" at only 2 cm. LOL! And, after all the false labor, you just feel like, "is this it? Can I really claim this?" What a wonderful time you are in. I hope your world slows down and lets you focus inward. Lifting up prayers for you and your sweet babe on the way as I think of you. Can't wait to see the baby introduction post and see a name!
ReplyDeleteThank-you SO Much Ladies - for your kind encouraging words! They mean ALOT to me. You have all been there, and you have all done it - I appreciate your thoughts, prayers and encouragements!
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere recently that the day a woman gives birth, more than 350,000 other women across the world will also give birth on that day. Amazing!