Real Mom: Our Homebirth Story

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April 30

My belly is huge. I'm tired. My knees hurt. And my apartment is a mess. I have pretty much given up picking up toys. It's driving me crazy. This is why people give birth in hospitals.

May 1

Kristen asked me how we've prepared Theo for the birth. We've read a few "I'm a big brother" books, talked about the baby in my belly and all that, but I've never really given him the whole baby-exiting-my-body lowdown. Kristen tells me to just let him know that Mommy will be making some noises that might be scary and then make some of those sounds for him so he knows what to expect.

May 7

Chili for dinner. I'm too fat and tired to do dishes. Toys are all over the floor. There's a pile of clothes at the foot of the bed. I asked Nathan if he'd take tomorrow off from work. I don't think I can manage chasing after Theo myself. I've lost my energy. Just 12 more days.

Birth Day! May 8

I accomplished a whole hell of a lot before 7:00 a.m. Like, having a baby, taking a shower, and enjoying an egg-and-cheese sandwich.

5:00 a.m. I woke up suddenly having to pee. I go and return to bed. Hmm, I have to pee again. That's weird. Back to the bathroom. No pee. Pace. Is this labor? Ponder. Sit on sofa. Lie on sofa. Pace. Pee. Wander aimlessly back into bedroom.

5:10 a.m. Pace. Sit. Stand. Pause. Grimace. Repeat.

Nathan: "That's a contraction! Have you had more?"

Me: "Yes. I think I have.

Nathan: "I'm calling Kristen."