What was your biggest worry before going into labor?
That’s a loaded question, right? What don’t you worry about!
My biggest fear was going into labor at home, and not making it to the hospital in time. Sounds silly in retrospect. But at the time, that fear was very real for me!
When I was 8 months pregnant, we moved from one city to another. Moving was a tough decision, but was something we needed to do to get off to a good start as a new family. So, we moved to be closer to my work, family and friends.
The only problem was, I had been seeing my doctor for my entire pregnancy and then some. I was really fearful of switching doctors and hospitals that late in the game. My doctor knew me. He knew me well! He knew exactly what I wanted for my labor experience, he knew all the bumps and hiccups we had along the way. He knew my personality and knew what I needed to hear to feel secure. And I trusted him. I trusted he would make decisions that were based on what I wanted, but would be best for the situation. He was the perfect balance.
So, it would have been silly to switch. And I didn’t . I kept that doctor, and stayed with his hospital, knowing it would be about an hour drive once I went into labor. Doc was confident, though, that an hour was more than enough time. And if not? There’s a hospital right down the street from my new apartment and all will be well one way or another!
But still. I had my fears about going into labor and not knowing what to do. I wasn’t even sure I would know when I was in labor to begin with! I had been having my fair share of Braxton Hicks and, as the weeks wore down, I was afraid each time it was labor starting.
Little did I know that those Braxton Hicks contractions were nothing compared to real labor. I didn’t know that real labor would be much more intense. I was supposed to be induced on my due date, because of an unsettling spike in my blood pressure and sudden fluid retention (more than I had already been retaining). Doc thought it best to induce. We discussed it, and I agreed, though I was disappointed.
Low and behold, I went into labor all on my own the night before I was scheduled to be induced! How exciting! But how panicked was I when I called the doctor at about 3 a.m. with fear in my voice asking him what to do.
I remember thinking to my self, “What if we don’t make it there. What will I do? Will I know what to do?” I’m not kidding, I was scared!! My contractions weren’t even that close together yet. But, how do you know when you’ve never given birth before?
So, needless to say, we made it to the hospital in plenty of time. Probably about 20 hours early, to be honest! I sure do wish I would have known more, and been more calm. I wish I would have had a someone to sit with me at my house and make the decision as to when it was time to go. But all fears aside, it worked out for the best, I am very happy to say!
Childbirth is such an incredible moment, and I’d love to know what went through your mind when you held your baby for the first time? By replying, you will be entered to win an exclusive Million Moms Challenge Gift Pack, which includes an iPad2, a custom-made Million Moms Challenge pendant and a $50 donation in your name to Global Giving.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Million Moms Challenge. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest runs October 17 to November 13, 2011. A random winner will be announced by November 15, 2011.