ya, labour, the hardest and most Amazing thing you'll probably ever experience in your life...that's the way I see it :) May it not drag on and on...we never really got to practicing relaxation techniques and it was ok because my labour was so short we didn't really get around to using many...massage etc...actually returned the massage oil we'd bought a few days after Sarah was born, cause we didn't need it. Funny eh?
Love you!

 

You hear women say "it was so empowering that I accomplished this (labour)". I say "POPPY-COCK!" I say "talk about humbling" when you have no choice in the matter at that point, and you lean 100% on the grace of GOD to "PUSH" you through! I recall turning to Jer between extreme contractions and saying, "there's no 'rewind' button is there? I have no choice but to go through with this! ~grunt~"
Yes it is thrilling to go through, and even more-so when you're through it and realizing the goal is attained!! A BABY of your own!
I truly see huge parallels of this entire process to life in general. We can claim, if we go through with it, that we did it in our own power and ability. We have the option to quit- to end life. But to submit and give the process and the end results back to God who has mercifully blessed us with the opportunity of living- and of bearing life- produces an incredible result. You cannot keep yourself from weeping with praises and "GLORY to GOD!" when you recognize the miracle of His invitation to you: "Come and be a part of this creating; I will be your strength, wisdom and courage. Now hold on to me tight, it's gonna be a wild ride! But, beloved child, if you trust me, it will be INCREDIBLE!!"

I sure hope my passionate rambling has made half sense to you!!

Heaps 'O blessings to you four!
Tanya

 

Labor is certainly...hmmm...intense at times but I would not say it's the hardest thing you've ever done (you tell me later what you think). It's certainly not the hardest thing I've done. It's so amazing, productive, purposeful, exciting, and unique. It's not like a difficult decision you make - it just happens. You certainly can't escape it - one way or another - even by c-section - somehow the babies come. It's physically demanding - but your body provides the drive and you ride along with it - and sometimes rest in it. I look forward to hearing your story.

Relaxtion techinques totally helped me - although it didn't take too much practice. Massage oil - didn't use ours either - or the natural sea sponge ??? whatever :)

Empowering - well defintely empowed - by God and by his amazing design - also a little pitocin :)

I loved reading Lance's comment. Most men are SO PROUD of their wife for delivering their babies - cool. They know hard work when they see it!

I love you - wish I could feel your wild fish tummy.

Mom

 

I dont think anything prepares you for labor. Someone mentioned in their class they had to put clothespins on their ear and then practice breathing. Yeah, so not the same thing!! Sleep and trust are probably the only things you need. Trust that God knew what he was doing when he made your body and that he will give you the strength to get through whatever is in store, trust in those you have chosen to care for you, and sleep so that you have the energy to get through whatever. Labor is hard but recovering from a c-section sounds harder. Either way, those first few weeks when your little wigglers are here will be full of adventure.

I sent stuff home with my mom but I'll toss an email your way to explain it all. I think my dad will be dropping it off at the store on Thursday (with your moms name on it) since that seemed the easy way to get it to you.

 

I definately don't think labour will be the most difficult thing you will ever do. It IS intense and you ARE stuck in the middle of it and you can't 'take a break'. Probably the hardest time is the first time when you are trying to make sense of all the information that they give you. I will pray for great nursing staff in the labour and delivery side ... they make all the difference. It is a very emotional experience and it is easy to lose perspective. I think the best preparation might be on the emotional side ... to keep in mind that no matter what the labour will end and no matter how the babies arrive it doesn't really matter. My biggest disappointment was my firstborn - I was totally unprepared that we would end up in a semi-emergency -c-section situation ... there was no talk of that in pre-natal. I wish that they had said a c-section is also a lovely and acceptable way to have a baby. Then my second was fast, my third was 17 days overdue and I was threatened with induction and drank a lot of castor oil and orange juice to self-induce (didn't work), my 4th was very fast and with a new doctor and my 5th was very slow, after a month on bedrest in and out of hospital because my pubic bones were separated. I had a monitor on Sam's scalp and I was in bed for 5 hours straight ... and I met the doctor that delivered him when she walked into the delivery room ... in the end neither doctor nor labour nurse were in the room when he came out! You will never forget it, it will make you closer to Lance and it will be an adventure.
I apologize to Tanya for this - I know some women have a really tough time of it.

 

labour is the most INTENSE thing you will ever SURVIVE...tho princess and queens do it it takes a warrior!