Describing the feeling of waiting for labor/birth

[BlueStateMama]

I was trying to explain how I was feeling to my DH the other night and it finally hit me...it's like waiting for an ambush marathon. Like someone telling you that sometime within the next two weeks or so, someone is going to show up at your door, hand you your running sneakers and say "OK, go!!" and you'll have to immediately start a 26 mile run...could be 8am, could be just about when you're going to bed at 11pm, could be at 3am...you won't know. Hopefully you'll be relatively rested (or at least not exhausted) when you start. The analogy just hit me...it's like waiting for one of the greatest physical/emotional challenges of your life to start and having no idea when that will be within a relatively discreet period. It's a positive event, but a challenge.

[akmbloom]

Yes i agree. My DH has been nervous (my "due date" was yesterday) so he's been staying up extra late, can't sleep due to anxiety, and I just think he doesn't know how trying it will be for us both!!! I keep telling him to come to bed and he just can't do it, yet I keep hoping that he won't be totally exhausted once it happens. And since this is our first baby, the ambush also includes a total change of lifestyle - not only will we go through the physical part of labor, but it's like, I don't know, moving to a new country where you've don't know the language and haven't visited. Or something. Where you think you probably will be able to cope but aren't quite sure.

Also I've been trying to keep the house/our lives in a perpetual state of readiness - there is no "oh I'll just let the dishes pile up because I know I'll get to them on Friday" going on!

[applejuice]

ITA.

When I taught CB classes, I used to liken labor to a marathon to let mothers know that once it starts there is no going back...and you are put to the test, physically, emotionally, psychologically to test your endurance in every aspect of your being...

Good luck, akmbloom, with your baby!

And to you BlueStateMama, with your baby!

These are the very best days of your life!

enjoy!

Both of you with your DHs

[JanetF]

All these analogies are familiar to me. The starter's pistol will go at any moment and you have no idea when so you're always on the listen for it. And the training that goes into it is like an Olympic athlete with the same psychological stff involved. So many of us go through the experience only to feel like we didn't make it off the starting blocks or into the podium and we have no way to process that aftermath. At least athletes have thousands of professional advisors to help them debrief when things don't go as imagined. I love to meet up with women whose birth plan I supported and listen to them debrief. Continuity is really important under these circumstances, I think.

[bunsmom]

Hi there. That is a good way of putting it!

I had a "feeling" DD would be born on the day she was born (five days past her "due" date), and I wasn't nervous at all. Maybe because I wasn't sure what to expect? I would do it all over in a second though, the result is amazing!

Good luck Mamas!

[BlueStateMama]

akmbloom, you're going to do just fine!! I was very nervous with my first and when labor started (last time it kicked off with my water breaking) I felt panicky, lke "OMG!!! THIS IS IT!!!!!!!" Just take deep breaths and trust your body...it knows what it's doing better than our rational brains!! It's scary to bring your first baby home, but I can't tell you how amazing and how FUN it is...DH and I have loved this first year and a half with DS - he's just the coolest thing. You'll be a pro in no time!! (it's a quick learning curve)...trust your instincts and enjoy every minute, time really does fly by.

I've been trying to keep the house/our lives in a perpetual state of readiness - there is no "oh I'll just let the dishes pile up because I know I'll get to them on Friday" going on!

This is me too, I've never kept the house cleaner!! :LOL

[tinyshoes]

Excellent analogy to a marathon.....also, the 'pain' of labor is (I've heard; I'm not sporty!) like physical, muscular pain--no one gets an epidural to go mountain climbing or running or kayaking, jeez.

I had a moment of clarity when I realized that labor starting is like getting a cold/sick......in that, when you're getting sick, there's not ONE MOMENT that the COLD STARTED. There was a sneeze yesterday, you felt a bit groggy this a.m. but then felt better, but then by evening you were sure you were probably coming down with something, and then the NEXT day, yep, it's a full-blown cold.

just like labor--was that a contraction? yeah, a few. Now nothing. I feel fine, will this baby ever come? Some more contractions in the evening, wierd poop, maybe today's the day? Maybe tomorrow? AND then boom.....for real, it's labor! Start your marathon!

[Quindin]

I like your analogy

I would add to the analogy someone also telling you that the marathon is going to make you hurt A LOT but you have no idea whether it is true or how much of it is true.

Oh, and that in the end of the marathon they will give you an amazing huge prize and you get so incredibly excited to see it.

Isn't it funny though that hospital won't let women eat before such an exhausting physical task???? It sure is like sending people running on a marathon on empty stomachs

[sarajane]

All I know is I am already getting impatient. I'm not due for a couple weeks but still. I guess maybe cuz it is my first. I am beginning to feel like I'm not really pregnant, this is just the way I am normally. I have totally forgotten what it feels like to not have a child inside me. I have a feeling about when she will come so that helps me in a way. I sure hope I'm right!

I don't feel much anticipation really. I think I am doing that on purpose so that I'm not dissappointed if she is late. Somedays I think of her alot and am like "Wow, things are gonna be so different, can't believe we will be parents." Other days I'm just ..... me, don't give it any thought at all, I just complain about my swollen feet! LOL