After attending a three-hour routine birth procedures class at our hospital last night, I was plagued with dreams about going into labor and having to spend endless hours in an overcrowded triage laying on shaky bunk beds with bandaged-up people trying to watch the Royal Wedding on TV. Thrown into that interesting mix of circumstances was Remy squawking like a turkey because Adam was holding him up like a hanging peking duck and refusing to hear my pleas for him to take the pug home. And on top of that, was my realization that we forgot to tell people we were in the hospital and that Ashley (our pug point person, or P.P.P. for when the "big day" comes around) wasn't contacted and poor Mia had been locked up in her crate for 16 hours straight. Let's just say, if she could bark swear words, she'd be a sailor. Oh, and I was having contractions and no one would help me breathe through them because everyone else was having babies except for me. Yes, they say pregnancy can bring about weird and vivid dreams. Yes, I tend to have weird and vivid dreams regardless of my pregnant state. But seriously? It was an stressful night's sleep, even for me.
Then, THEN, I woke up with a leg cramp. I've only had a handful since being pregnant, and none at all before I was knocked up. So I'm not used to dealing with the painful spasms in the middle of the night and tend to turn into a giant baby when they happen. Last night's leg cramp wouldn't subside, even as I tried to stretch and flex my foot. Eventually, my heavy breathing and whimpering woke Adam up and as he tried to get me to stand up, I basically started squawking like a turkey (apparently it runs in the family) as the pain just escalated. After about 15 seconds of Adam holding me and trying not to freak out at my irrational reaction to the situation, I walked it off and then realized, OMG I'm a wuss! I have to go into labor in a few weeks, and birth a watermelon with arms and legs, and I was just howling at a leg cramp! So now I'm slightly unnerved about what this whole birthing process will be like for me. And this is after having a conversation with Ashley, post-birthing class, about how I totally don't want an epidural or pain medication. Funny how circumstances manifest that remind you that maybe making broad, sweeping statements like that isn't a good idea.
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You are going to do GREAT in labor, Yas! Just remember your momma did it, and so did her momma before her :) The idea that helped me the most during labor was that every time a contraction came, it was bringing the baby closer. The notion that the pain was actually ACHIEVING something really gave me the mental strength to go on. Also wanted to add that while I am opting to go med-free the 2nd time again (we're actually planning a homebirth!!! eee!), I really would not mind having an epidural if I had no choice but to birth in the hospital. I'm curious what a pain-free delivery feels like...? Are we crazy to try to do it without meds?! :) Much love, Jean.
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