No morning sickness. No cravings. For me, being pregnant had felt a lot like not being pregnant, so I was eager to discover how my perceptions of labor would compare to the real thing. On the night before my due date, I climbed into bed and felt a kick, then a trickle. “My water just broke,” I announced to my husband. Except for being damp, I didn’t feel any different. … [Read more...] about Real birth stories: Dream labor
Birth stories
Real birth story: Unexpectedly pregnant
A couple without hope becomes unexpectedly pregnant After eight years of marriage, and countless failed attempts at pregnancy, my husband and I completely lost hope of having a baby. We were living our lives in despair. Then one day I went in for my regular checkup for diabetes. My endocrinologist examined my stomach and said I had a baby inside. Of course, I didn’t believe … [Read more...] about Real birth story: Unexpectedly pregnant
Birth Story: Thanks, Coach and Doula
Audrey, 8 days old As marathon runners and triathletes, my husband, Bob, and I felt prepared walking into our first birth class. We figured birth was just another endurance event and, of course, we’d seen the movie Knocked Up! But as we began to watch the first birth video, Bob’s face paled in the flickering light of the television. I started to sweat. If we were going to … [Read more...] about Birth Story: Thanks, Coach and Doula