Wednesday, July 11, 2007

In 48 Hours

I'll be 2 hours away from getting this party started. It still seems surreal. I will say that my body is feeling more and more ready to do this. Not just impatient ready, but getting-down-to-business ready. I'll spare the casual reader the evidence I have for this, but for the morbidly curious or soon-to-be-pregnant themselves, follow this link.
It is my sincerest wish for my labor to start on its own. It might seem silly, but I want to say to my husband, 'Hey, I think it's time!' and jump in the car together. I want to be amazed at the primal intelligence of the human body and be humble enough to go along for the ride. Some people think I'm nuts for planning an unmedicated birth, but I am looking forward to it. Modern American life is lovely and comfortable and I am grateful for it! But sometimes I feel a little spoiled. It's easy to take my comfort for granted and get complacent (who here doesn't have at least 5 pounds of flab they 'just can't lose'?). There is something about survival that makes living that much richer. Ask anyone who's lived through a cancer diagnosis.
Giving birth can make you believe you truly might die. What a great way to be reminded that you are ALIVE! Not to mention the absolutely earth-shattering miracle of new life that is the product of such suffering. God-willing, I will not have to face fatal disease in order to be reminded how to live, so I am going to take this opportunity to see what I'm made of.
Snicker if you will, and be smug if you hear I do use medication, but first look at yourself and consider the last time you ventured close to your own limits.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Having adopted, parented and "triathlon'd" at your side, I know what you are made of.

As a fellow "tester-of-personal limits," (albeit one with the aforementioned 5 lbs of unlosable flab) I can assure you that there would be no snickering nor smugness from this side of the Bourne Bridge anyway. Just do what you gotta do, sister.

Note to Dr. T: Back up and get ready to catch.

Unknown said...

Now I understand.
Love,
Mum

First Bath

First Bath

Big Girl!

Big Girl!

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Naptime with Caroline

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I'm a Big Sister!