In the movies, women always go into labor naturally. Their water breaks, they start getting crazy contractions, they push and scream and act crazy, and then the baby is there. You don't ever see the movie about the woman whose due date comes and goes without any signs of going into labor and gets induced instead. I guess that storyline lacks the necessary drama.
In actuality, it happens to a lot of women and I happen to be one of them. My body just didn't want to go into labor. For weeks, I've been crossing my fingers for some hopeful sign that my baby would want to join us on the outside. But it never came. So instead of spending my due date in the hospital squeezing the crap out of my husband's hand, I spent it discussing what drugs they were going to give me on January 23rd to essentially force my little girl to come out.
I can't say I wasn't disappointed when I heard the news. Inductions can be scary. But they have their advantages, especially for control freaks like myself. Suddenly, I got to plan my own birth experience. And there is nothing I love more than planning. I was able to maximize my maternity leave, stock my fridge and clean my house, and made sure everything I could possibly need during and after the birth was at my disposal. I even had time to bake some cookies for our nursing staff (suck up, whatever) and do my nails.
But the best part of knowing exactly when I would go into labor (between 3am and 7 am tomorrow morning for the record) was planning the day BEFORE my induction. Jeff doesn't have clinicals on Tuesdays which meant we could spend these last 24 hours before our girl came with each other. I can't remember the last time I had such a great day with my husband. To be honest, most of it revolved around food, but that's what we do. We started the day with strawberry hotcakes from Pamela's, went to the longest last OB appointment ever, visited my boss in the hospital (who just had twins yesterday), had lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant (and a couple glasses of wine...don't mind if I do) and then saw Silver Linings Playbook (highly recommended). Now we're listening to records and relaxing before attempting to fall asleep somewhat early so we're well rested for the hurricane of activity that tomorrow (and forever after) has in store.
Today was such a gift. Part of me feels like I should be more jittery or excited for tomorrow, but I feel pretty at peace with it (that will happen when you have 9 months to hash something over in your head). I am excited for tomorrow. But I was equally excited to have this day with Jeff. After being together for nearly 7 years, there is still nothing that brings me more happiness and peace of mind than shutting out the rest of the world and spending a day together.
Tomorrow, we'll be three. It will never be just the two of us again, which I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around. We'll be parents. Forever. For now, I'll enjoy these last few quiet hours with my best friend and partner.
Just the two of us.
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