So, yes, watching the birth video was gross, but the good news is that I don't have to see that for myself, and I will have the emotional attachment to the moment and to the baby that will help eliminate the disgusting factor.
Plus, after thoroughly becoming aquainted with all the stages of labor, I can really draw a lot of parallels between it and running a marathon. Both seem to require the same physical and mental endurance, and even as we were discussing the stages of labor in class, I could identify the parts of the race:
Early labor will probably be like the first few miles of the race: I'll be excited that it's finally happening and I'll still be fresh because we're at the beginning.
Active labor will be, I suspect, like the middle miles -- somewhere between the 10-18 mile markers -- getting tired of doing this and requiring lots of encouragement and support.
Transition looks to me like "the wall" -- the point when your body says "no more" and you have to have the mental fortitude to press forward and believe you can do it. I think this will most likely be the most frustrating point, and I'm guessing I will need a lot of quiet concentration. Jerry will most certainly annoy me at this juncture (I just picture him doing something, like cracking his knuckles -- which already drives me nuts, and me snapping at him). Just like at about mile 22 or 23, how the spectator encouragement just makes you want to yell back at them, "Shut the fuck up!"
The actual end part of labor, the pushing, seems like the last .2 miles: You know the finish line is just ahead, you suddenly feel like you're making progress, and you know you are going to succeed. The frustration, anger, and pain you felt just a few miles ago evaporates. And before you know it, you're crossing the finish line.
And then holding the baby will be like getting that medal placed around my neck: All of sudden, the whole thing won't seem so bad, and the sense of accomplishment, pride, and joy will overtake any pain or exhaustion.
So, I think I just need to keep this analogy in mind, and know that if I can do 26.2 miles, I will be able to do this as well.
31 comments:
that is a good analogy. both of our kids were c-section, and before either of us ran marathons. But the medal is amazing!
You mean you're not going to have a mirror at the end of the bed so you can see what's going on??? Hee hee, no thanks. I like the analogy - I'll have to keep it in mind!
And you'll probably shed few pounds too, just like a marathon.
Cool post. I laughed out loud at the cracking of the knukles.
Even if your not running right at the moment, you are a runner - through and through!
And then you'll think "I'm never doing this again." Until a year or so down the road and you'll remember "Hey, it wasn't THAT bad."
I think that's a very true and real analogy! You're going to be just fine...better than fine actually. You're one strong cookie and you have a realistic approach going in so I think you'll do great!
I think I'll just stick to marathons...
That's such a great analogy! People often say "so is running a marathon harder/more painful than child birth?" I guess you'll have the answer soon. :)
6 week old rice in the refrigerator is disgusting. having a baby naturally is a beautiful thing. You are going to be awesome!!
Great analogy!
such a great analogy :)
that is a great analogy! You are so right about all of the feelings during/after a marathon!
I don't know about the analogy. I think childbirth should be the basis of analogies, like "If I can give birth, I can ____"
You can just go home and sleep after a marathon. I think childbirth is the start of a marathon...that's going to take 18+ years to run! Ready? Go! :)
Anyways, I too thought the videos were so gross that I wanted to leave the room. But during the actual birth, things were so fascinating "down there" that at one point my wife reminded me that she was still there. I kinda forgot.
Great analogy.
Great anology! You're going to do great. :o)
Awesome analogy! You will do great. If you can run 26.2 you can give birth!!!
sounds right to me!!everyone says the marathon is harder..they are definitely similar!
Great analogy!
I'm trying to think of it that way, too, actually! Complete with gross bodily functions. My best marathon time is 4:24 -- if only labor went that fast!
great post - you correlate it all so well!
you pretty much summed things up. but don't forget about the placenta! just when you think it's over, the nurse injects you with some pitocin to get the placenta out and it seems like you are about to go through the whole process all over again. push, pull, knead, push, pull, knead. i hated that part! i just wanted to get on with being a mommy and rid the doctors and nurses of my nether regions!
in my opionion, in the "big" picture, labor and delivery is a BREEZE compared to the 40 weeks of hauling that baby around!! You will do great! And I was totally grossed out by the video, and swore I would never do this, but I watched everything in the mirror for both of my babies labors. It really is amazing!!
Good analogy except that last .2 miles is more like 2.5 fucking miles when you are tired, hungry, hot, out of breath, and everything aches. I will keep the rest to myself. You are more than prepared so don't focus on labor. You know what's supposed to happen, you know you will be in the care of a hospital, so enjoy the drugs and let it ride. It could be hours or days in my case.
Just when that "oh yeah, it's finally over" moment happens, Norah gets whisked away while you have the rest of labor end and then clean up. The miracle of birth is a bitch.
Jerry will get at least one snapping and when you look back after the fact, it will be funny. Remind him his feelings can't get hurt because if he complains, you will break his nuts.
I paint a pretty picture ;) but months later, you forget all this and think, maybe it's time for number 2. Labor wasn't that bad.
Yep and you wear that medal with pride every day!
Perfect analogy!
I'm still laughing at Wes.
Awesome analogy, Jess!!
that is a great analogy, except that baby will but much more precious than any medal you'll ever get...
love this idea! i hope it goes just like this for you.
Yep, when you hit the point when you think you can't do it anymore, you are usually ready to push.
With my first, Beer Geek was my rock. I never would have made it through without him. With my second, I had to ask him afterwards if he was in the room when the baby came LOL (because I was so focused I forgot about him).
You will do great!
Great analogy! BTW, yelling at everyone in the room during active labor is totally priceless! I faintly remember doing that myself.
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