Why is it that humans like to one-up each other? You tell me about something horrid that happened to you and I have to tell you my horrid story, with more gore than yours. Why is that? This is especially true of women and their birth stories.
Oh the pain! The anguish! The humanity!! You think you’re miserable when you’re pregnant? Just you wait. You’ll be doubly so in labor and be cursing the heavens and wanting to die during the actual delivery. And of course that’s nothing compared to the misery of having a newborn. No siree. With how awful it is to have children it’s a wonder we ever do it at all.
Part of me wonders if childbirth, and other horrible things (like reading Isaiah) are horrible simply because we expect them to be. We go in with certain expectations and then we find and focus on the details that meet those expectations.
I knew labor and delivery would not be the easiest thing I would ever do. But I also knew the odds of it actually killing me were very slim. There are certainly parts that were not fun which I could definitely build up to a horror story if I wanted to. But I don’t. I actually tend to tell them with a humorous twist.
The birth of our daughter was not a horror story. And I refuse to tell it as such.
When I tell the story I mention the really crappy parts, and I move on. I don’t focus on those parts because they aren’t the focus of the story, they aren’t the point of the story, they aren’t the climax of the plot.
The birth. Meeting a brand new human just arrived on this earth from heaven. The most spiritual experience I’ve ever had. That’s the point of the story. And that’s how I intended to always tell it.
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
Oh the pain! The anguish! The humanity!! You think you’re miserable when your wife’s pregnant? Just you wait. You’ll be doubly so when she’s in labor and be cursing the heavens and wanting to die during the actual delivery after you’ve been awake for 40 straight hours (minus a 45-minute nap at 1 AM)!
See. We like to one-up people too.
It makes me smile that you got an obligatory jab in at the Isaiah haters. :brett:
I need a back rub. :lisa: :heart:
Lisa, your posts lately are really making me feel allll the feelings. I’m all mushy inside every time I leave your blog! I feel the same way about the newborn stage. Goodness people LOVE to scare about horrible no sleep, the crying, everything. I don’t remember it like that at all, I remember couch snuggles and sleeping beside a sweet smelling baby. Feeling love I’ve never felt before and am still unable to put into words! :love: :love: :love:
You are right. Iddo is not a horror story. She is a sweet heart. I gave birth so long ago, I don’t remember the delivery at all. Just how happy we were to have each of you join our family. 🙂
Having very recently given birth to a baby, I have to say that I agree. As with so many things, it’s the mindset we have going into something. I think of the quote, “Whether you say ‘I can’ or ‘I can’t’, either way, you’ll be right.” For a few moments of discomfort (albeit when I thought I might rip apart), I bring forth a new human into the world! I was a blubbering mess from all the emotions… and I made it. And then the natural mind erasers kicked in and I started to think, “Well, that wasn’t so bad, considering…” I like your attitude. Sometimes things aren’t easy, but they’re necessary, and we can see them through with a sense of humor 😉
I do have a horror story. Sharon was breech and they wouldn’t give me medication. I was in hard labor for 24 hours. But the minute I held that precious baby, I knew it was worth it.
Sure, I’m a little scared about having a baby. I’ve heard horribly scary things, as well as wonderful things. But all I can do is hope and pray and even work (by taking care of my body now and when I’m pregnant) that all will go well, and have faith that it will be worth it!
I’m ready to tell people that I don’t want to hear their pregnancy horror stories when that time comes. Don’t tell me about labor, delivery, swelling, hair changes…just keep your mouth shut and let me be pregnant, mmmkay?
Can I tell you about my pregnancies and deliveries if I make sure the focus is on the amazing part about the baby? 🙂