Thoughts on Labor

I had a friend ask me this week if I was nervous about labor. I instantly replied that I am not nervous, which she found surprising. And I've kind of been of pondering on that as to why I am not nervous. So this post will be my rambling thoughts on why I am excited about labor.

While I don't have a fear of the unknown, I do like to be prepared for things. And while very little can truly prepare you for labor, I feel like I have a good understanding of what is likely to happen. I understand what my body will be doing, I understand the different stages of labor, and I understand potential problems, complications, and related decisions that may need to be made. I have seen multiple births thanks to my childbirth classes. So I really feel like as much as I can do in the way of educating myself, I have done.

I also have a lot of confidence in my support team for labor. I have mentioned this before, but during our infertility testing and IVF, I had to rely on Nathan for a lot of support. Not just emotional... but physical support. I would not have been able to make it through my HSG had it not been for Nathan. And we didn't have to talk about what he should do, whether he should be quiet or talk to me, etc. He just knew. Nathan and I have this bond where we are constantly thinking the same thing. I don't know how many times one of us says exactly what the other was thinking. We are having some discussions about what I think will be helpful to me during labor... but what I think will help me may not... so I will be relying on Nathan to read me and adapt to my changing support needs. And I know he will be able to do that. The second part is having confidence in my midwives. I don't know whether Denise or Lynda will be on call when I go into labor, but I feel very confident in their support. Once I am in active labor the midwives are pretty much there for the duration. Its not like regular OBs who come in every now and then, then show up just in time for delivery. And our midwives have so many more tools in their bag for natural pain management. We had our first discussion with Denise about our preferences for birth. I expressed that I want to keep drugs an option, but not until I have exhausted all other natural pain management methods. And I know I have her total support in that.

The final, perhaps most significant thing that has allowed me to be excited about labor is hearing women who say how much they loved giving birth. Seriously. I have had maybe three women recently who have told me how much they loved giving birth. They make it clear that its painful and exhausting... but they loved it. And just like I didn't know if I'd ever get to have a baby shower of my own... I didn't know if I would ever experience giving birth. I see labor, giving birth to my child, as a gift... not something to fear.

I have also done a good bit of reading about the mind-body connection and how fear can be detrimental to a smooth labor. Fear is not just located in your mind... it manifests itself in the body. From my understanding, when you have fear and anxiety during labor, your body tenses not allowing it to do its job. Sometimes its enough to halt labor. And as my midwife echoed... its important to be able to truly relax in such a deep way where you are basically submitting to your body and allowing it to do what it was created to do. So I see fear or nervousness as a useless emotion towards something so natural.

But in all of this, I truly think that seeing labor as a gift is the biggest factor in my positive, excited attitude about giving birth.

Today's goal... packing my hospital bags or at least getting most of my stuff together. My childbirth educator said it absolutely needs to be packed by 36 weeks, but my friend last night said she couldn't believe I didn't have them packed yet. So I'd better get a move on it. I should also start getting things washed... sheets, clothes, etc. A friend from high school went into preterm labor and will be delivery at 34 weeks if not before. That opened my eyes. While I hope this baby stays in my belly for a few more weeks... I guess I should be prepared because it could happen any time from here on out.