First stage, part 1: Early Labor - Traditionally, a woman's cervix gradually effaces and dilates. In our case, we began to feel the pang of impatience a little, began breathing a little irregularly and got our bags packed to head to California. We spent about four weeks waiting to get to that next centimeter of dilation, to efface just a little more. To no avail. Nothing was happening. That's right, four weeks compared to a typical day or two.
First stage, part 2: Active Labor, ending in Transition (a time to push) - Traditionally, contractions are longer, stronger and closer together. In our case, we began to get more hints at how this was actually going to go. We got word that appointments were missed, others wanted to parent the baby and a drastically reduced sense of control over our emotions as communication with T dwindled to very sporadic, at best. We're still here, on week two of this phase. Yep, two weeks to your typical few hours.
Second stage: Pushing - Traditionally, the screaming, sweating, cursing, tugging, wrenching phase of intense pain. In our case, this will be the phase when we're in the waiting (or hopefully the labor) room while T does all the pushing. We'll be the ones in the lobby wondering if she'll stick with her plan to have us parent her baby, if anyone else is going to show up who wants to parent the baby instead, and if T wants to meet us, finally. Luckily, this stage ends with the birth of the baby. In our case, it will end with us getting to hold her.
Third stage: Clean up - Traditionally, the placenta is delivered. In our case, relinquishment papers are signed and we're given that coveted permission to head home with Meadow. This one is stretched out for us as well. The placenta is typically delivered in minutes after the baby is born. We'll be here for a week or two or three while paperwork flies back and forth over Nevada and Utah to and from Colorado.
Disclaimer - I often admit to Josh that I think one reason we never did carry a baby to term is that I couldn't handle the labor. So, to my friends who have delivered, this is a joke of a comparison. I know that.
We got word today that T has her doctor's appointment tomorrow. This will be the appointment where she begs to be induced (hopefully by wrapping her way-over-9-month-pregnant self around the ankle of the physician until they have no choice but to pull that baby out - I think growling would help too). We don't know yet if that means she'll be admitted to be induced tomorrow, or if it will be scheduled for some other, future, not-early-enough-for-us date.
Rest assured, we'll be thrilled to keep you all posted when the Transition begins and we're there, in the final push, waiting to meet Meadow in person. My goodness words can't express how happy we'll be to report on that! And we end tonight just thinking about tomorrow and give you this age-old classic to fill your heads as you fall asleep:
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| Afro Annie is evidence that I knew I'd need this song someday. Enjoy the last minute version of the "red head" wig. (Thanks mom!) |
