Just Before

Just a few days before baby George's arrival I made an extensive list of sewing and cooking projects that would keep me busy for what I thought would be at least two if not three more weeks of waiting. Only 2 of the sewing projects were completed and the 1 cooking project was completed just as labor began.

I promised my sisters I'd blog this one because it was so random - a refashioned hospital gown. This was done because I can't think of anything more awkward, uncomfortable, and unflattering than a hospital gown. 

The original T-shirt/tunic was picked up for $2.50 at Salvation Army and it took less than 30 minutes to add the snaps.  The minimal amount of time and money involved was worth the comfort it added although the picture above does not convince me it was any more flattering than a regular hospital gown.

So here's the story (at least my version, Paul's may be different): Saturday afternoon I took a nap then woke up quickly almost forgetting to take Maryanna to a birthday party. The party wasn't too far from JoAnn's and as much as I loathe the fabric selection there I thought it would be a good place to kill time and pick up all the misc. notions I needed for that long list of sewing projects.

I picked up Maryanna and with her hands full of sticky lollipops and tootsie rolls I decide we might as well swing by our three favorite thrift stores. I'm glad we did because I found some pretty cool fabric remnants, a denim blazer, a 6 slot waffle maker and the beginnings and inspiration for this year's Easter dresses.

It was dark by the time we returned home and I must not have been feeling well because I had to call the boys out to carry in my purchases. They were super excited about the waffle maker which led me to the one completed cooking project - mass produced waffles.

I thoroughly cleaned the new waffle iron then surfed around for a basic gluten free waffle recipe; not satisfied, James and I concocted our own. We got busy grinding a variety of grains, weighing out flours and mixing them up. Typically I let my batters ferment a bit over night but something was telling me to cook those babies NOW.

The kitchen was already a mess so I couldn't resist the urge to pull out the pressure cooker and cook up a batch of beans as well. All the while Paul was putting the younger children to bed. By the time he had joined us in the kitchen not only was he surprised by the mess and magnitude of the project (I had x the recipe by 6) he also questioned why I was swaying back and forth. When I snapped back at him he knew something was up and later admitted to retreating to the garage to call his parents and give them a heads up.

So I was in denial because I simply was not ready. I finished up the waffles and decided a bath might make my "stomach ache" go away. It did a little bit so I went to sleep and Paul kindly cleaned the horrible mess I left in the kitchen.

All was well until I got up with a shot of abdominal pain at 3:00 am. Even our dog was very well aware of what was going on because the lazy creature who has never has once climbed the complete set of steps was now at the foot of our bed looking at me with concern. I on the other hand was still in denial as crawled to the toilet and tried to reassure Paul that I just had to go to the bathroom. Still no relief so I consented to calling the birth center and even packed my bag. Paul meanwhile packed his own bag - just of towels because he was sure there'd be a chance of delivering this baby along side the road since it was at least a 45 min. drive. Good thing he didn't have to but bad thing I had several more hours of hard labor than I was use to.

James was awoken and left on guard until Nanny and Poppy could arrive, he was brave and just sat up reading a book.

I slipped on my refashioned hospital gown, some yoga pants and a hoodie then got to the hospital/birth center faster than we thought it would take. The "birthing suite" was actually quite comfortable with a queen sized bed so I crawled back in bed and let the labor progress without too much discomfort.

When it was time to push Paul confidently announced that I was a quick pusher and told the midwife that even my biggest baby popped out in no more than 15 minutes. But this time was different and very challenging.

I have concluded it was out of fear - fear of re-injuring my tail bone. It has been over ten weeks since I slipped out of the van flat on my behind and I was still suffering from soreness back there. The potion got me through quite effortlessly up until this point but there was nothing to ease me through pushing a baby past an injured tailbone. I admit to complete cowardness even to the point of begging for a c-section and threatening to run away.

The nurses suggested I move to the tub which I quickly did and hopped in with out even thinking to remove my refashioned hospital gown. They are not licensed for water births though so when I was ready to push again they wrapped me in a sheet (now I was wearing a delivery toga) and guided me to the bed.

Still struggling, the kind elderly nurse demonstrated how squatting at the edge of the bed might help. So there she guided me up and down commenting how she was glad yoga kept her fit enough to continue assisting in child birth for so many years.  So there we were doing squats when she slowly and calmly encouraged, "now blossom like a flower".  I know I'm immature because this really made me laugh, well maybe not a outward laugh but I was smirking through the discomfort and I knew if I made eye contact with Paul he would not have contained his laughter.  We greeted George very soon after.

So that is my secret to delivering a baby - just a bit of humor (two showings of Tommy Boy actually got me through the delivery of my biggest baby).  Though the nurse's carefully selected words of encouragement were not intended to be funny it lighten my mood enough to get through the challenge.  I'd like to add that that same kind nurse filled the tub up again shortly after delivery then brewed up two huge pots of herbal healing tea that was poured into the tub (gotta love the alternative birth center!) 

I suppose if I wrote this within in 24 hours of delivery my tone may have been  different but nature has a funny way of making us moms erase the memory of much of the discomfort of pregnancy and pain of delivery.  Instead we stare at our babies in awe and wonder of the blessings of new life and the great plan of families.  It certainly is worth it!