Then and Now

Then:

Let's take a field trip in my time machine...close your eyes...wait, you're reading...okay, just imagine...

As many of you know, I had planned for a homebirth with Henry. I had read all 10 of the required books, taken the classes, did all my homework, taken my all-natural supplements...

...I had my stork supplies ready to go, sitting in a box in the corner of my dining room, the deposit was paid on my birthing tub...

Thursday, June 21st, the first day of my maternity leave, I spent the day doing baby laundry, skimming my Bradley Birth Book and otherwise hanging out.

At about 8:30 p.m. I decided to take a bath. Lit some scented candles.

I read the Week 36 chapter in "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" book.

I felt something...ignored it. I knew that I had poor bladder control at this point, but I didn't want to think about it too much or it would gross me out and I would have to take a shower...and I really didn't feel like taking a shower...

As I stepped out of the bathtub, the moment my foot hit the linoleum floor, I felt a huge gush.

My water had broken.

At that exact second, I heard the kitchen door open.

Andy was home from basketball.

I immediately started sobbing.

Hysterical.

I was only 36 weeks and 4 days pregnant...

...and my midwife was in Oregon. A 13 hour drive away.

I yelled "NO! NO! NO!" Thinking that if I cried loud enough, it would stop.

It didn't.

It just kept coming. More water than I knew possible.

My visions, hopes, dreams, hard work and research for a homebirth had gone up in smoke right before my very eyes.

***

Fast forward a few hours later: I am lying in bed laboring. Andy is diligently timing my contractions and tracking it all on a pad of paper.

Suddenly, I gasp.

"What's wrong?! Are you okay???!!! What happened? Do we need to leave?!"

"A bag, Andy! A hospital bag! I don't have one packed!"

"Crap! What do I put in it?"

"I have no idea!...go find my pregnancy book, I think I remember seeing a list in there..."

I quickly skim the index in the back of the book...."H"....Hospital Bag....page 192...

I read off the list between contractions as Andy rushes around the house throwing things into a duffel...

"Clothing for mom"

"Okay, which ones?"

"ANDY I DON'T CARE, THIS ISN'T A FASHION SHOW, JUST FIND SOMETHING!!!" (Through gritted teeth and a contraction).

"Underwear"

"Which ones?"

"AnDREW...!!!!"

***

28 hours from my water breaking, I had my new munchkin in my arms.

Eventually, I needed a shower.

It was then that I realized my mistake:







He had packed thongs.

***

Now:



Packed. Ready to go. Way too early. I may even have to dust the bag off before we go.

But at least I'll have gigantic cotton maternity undies awaiting me when I need it.