Anyone have a drink?
After several years of trying to become pregnant, it was quite exciting to have it actually happen.
I spent the 9 months leading up to the big birth event reading every single printed word related to pregnancy. I faithfully watched daily back-to-back episodes of A Baby Story. I logged food, baby kicks and belly size in a pregnancy journal.
I was so ready.
And then it happened. Contractions and a trip to the hospital ended 25 1/2 hours later with a healthy baby boy.
Yes, that was 25 1/2 hours later.
Nothing in all those books, A Baby Story or my guided pregnancy journal mentioned that while in labor no one would give you food or water. 25 1/2 hours is a really long time to go without food. 25 1/2 hours is even a LONGER time to go without something to drink.
I have never been more thirsty in my entire life.
In the last few hours of labor, I refused to push until I got a sip of water.
One sip of water equaled one push.
Yep, my short-sided thirst demands probably extended my labor, but I wasn’t thinking straight. My theory is that the only fluid running through my body was hormones.
I became the crazy labor lady crying out for a Sprite.
Finally, my firstborn was born. I looked down with a frantic pause in expectation of hearing a baby cry.
There was a lot of activity and a moment of silence.
And then that cry.
To me that cry meant everything was going to be OK.
Can I have a drink now?
I was handed my newborn and the largest soda on ice I have ever seen.
Both were greeted with complete relief.
Childbirth is such an incredible moment.
What went through your mind when you held your baby for the first time?
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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.