Monday, November 17, 2008

Induction


Socks are proving to be quite a challenge these days. It's tough for Julie to get them on without pitching forward off the stool and rolling out of the bathroom and down the stairs like Violet Beauregarde after the blueberry chewing gum incident.

Was that mean? I'm crabby. When this young lady is born, she's grounded.

The clock is ticking. If the induction goes according to plan, Julie could be in labor in two days. On Wednesday someone will call her between 5:30 and 8:30 in the morning and give her a time to go in. It's not unlike when you need a plumber, the whole "We'll try to fit you in, but no promises" kind of thing. If a bunch of ladies in the Twin Cities suddenly have pregnancy-related plumbing catastrophes, we might get bumped.

Knowing the birth date is a bit odd. Birth and death generally involve an element of surprise, which is what keeps us on our toes. I know it's morbid to discuss, but it would be unbearably weird if everyone knew what day they'd die. Likewise, knowing the exact day that life will begin seems like playing God.

But if you're talking about God, then you might argue that life begins long before the actual birth, but that's an issue we don't need to explore here. I think most can agree that at least in many practical ways, life begins at birth. The feeding, the changing diapers, the telling your mother what her granddaughter's name is--that stuff happens at birth. But I can understand why some people prefer to go naturally, for then you're not taking control of something that maybe, maybe, just maybe you're not meant to.

Blah blah blah. If God gives a rat's ass about such things, then I'll do 100 push-ups at the pearly gates. When people preach about the importance of going naturally, I want to flick their ear with all my finger's might. I saw part of a TV show that had all these smug women talking about birthing without drugs, without anything. "Oh, it was such a beautiful experience," one said without blinking. "I don't understand how women can--" and at that point I flipped the channel.

So we're excited about the induction, at least I am. I want to meet this kid. Plus I'll get to finish this blog, maybe start another one.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I tried two other times to write a message about this, but both times it came across as condescending considering I was trying to speak on behalf of my wife. Maybe I'll have to ask her to post a reply, but the gist of what I wanted to share is this: we have two great kids who were both induced deliveries (one for emergency reasons and one for being reluctant to move out), and any reservations you have about induction beforehand disappear when the baby arrives and your sole concern becomes its well-being.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Once again, I have to agree with Nathan! And, to be fair, I thought we were going to know our daughter's birthday in advance, too. But our first induction (8/25) was postponed (long story), so we got her bday wrong then. Then when I was actually induced, I went in Wed (9/3) night thinking she'd be born on Thursday. Boy, was I wrong! She arrived on 9/5! So there are still surprises to be had, and even if it isn't a surprise, there is nothing like hearing her cry and trying to grasp the idea that you created that little human that somehow fit inside Julie's belly. Besides, odds are good you'll be so wrapped up in the whole process once you go in that you'll have to ask the nurse what day it is anyway! The best of luck to all 3 of you! We can't wait to meet her!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to a future blog. This one has been so entertaining. I will be sad if this is the end of the great distraction of my day.

Anonymous said...

Hey- it's kim- Nathan's wife.

Long post here---

Yes, I was induced with both our kids. I wanted to do everything naturally with as little medical intervention as necessary. But, once you get there whether you are induced or go into labor at home, there's one thing you should know: your little girl is running the show, not you.

I don't think it really matters how your labor begins, it will still be labor... It helped me the first time to think that hundreds of millions of women have gone before me- you will do just great.

And, BTW- this natural girl even went with an epidural near the end of baby #2. Can't believe I didn't with the first- seriously- I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

Good luck tomorrow. Just try to go with the flow. You never know how the process will go (probably NOT like the birth plan)or how long it will take, but the end result is the same regardless- you finally get to hold her in your arms!