I'll Be There For You, Honey

So far, I have to say Traci is the winner for the longest labor!  Both amazing stories!  Mine went into the hospital at 7pm Tuesday night. Labor and childbirth are those things you like to remember but hope to soon forget the details, and just remember happiness.  I hope that y'all don't mind all the gory details.  

My daughter didn't want to come out; she was very comfortable, so much that she was overdue by 2 weeks.  I would feel weird sensations and slight cramps, but nothing ever painful leading up to the time of induction.  Apparently the first dose of medicine I was given at 7pm didn't work, so they had to give me another dose at midnight.

After midnight, it all when it downhill.  It felt like I got hit by a ton of bricks.  Every part of my body quivered with pain.  Why did I decide to eat that grilled chicken salad when I got to the hospital?

I really wished I hadn't, because I got so sick from pain.  I literally had to get up from bed and pull myself off of the monitors so that I could puke without spewing everywhere and shorting out the equipment.

My husband, of course, has never gone through a woman laboring and giving birth to his child before, so the whole time I was in pain, he slept.  Snored.  Didn't wake up at all!  I couldn't believe he didn't even hear me losing my dinner several times and groaning all night.

I couldn't believe the terrible pain I was in, but I stuck through it, because I knew how much it would pay off.  The nurses helped a lot, and eventually once I was drugged up, relaxed, and dilated, the race was on.

Baby was arriving at any time.  I have to admit that after 7am-11am was a bit hazy, but I remember my husband was there for me when I needed him the most.  He held my leg and saw every raw moment.  Sometimes I wish he hadn't, but it makes me all warm inside to know he experienced the birth of our daughter upfront and personal.  I think that's part of the reason he has such an intense love for her.  

I pushed from 11am to1159am on Wednesday, and LB Daniel was born.  She was FINALLY born.  The most beautiful little thing, that has shined nothing but a bright light into my life, and actually forced me to grown up!  Every minute of that pain--erased, and replaced with relief, smiles, love, and pure happiness. That little heart beats full of love, and pure innocence.  Amazing.

Every story is so unique, and I tip my hat to all the strong women that endured long labor and delivery.  This labor day, I'll be thinking about all the wonderful moms out there that nurture and give all of themselves for their families and children.  You rock!

(Erica is a work at home mom to one daughter, LB, but when she's not cleaning food off the floor or ceiling, she writes at HaleMom.Com)