Every emotion and thought overwhelmed me. Was this normal for a new mother?
Ever since she’d handed out notebooks and pens during the first class, I, together with the rest of the attendees, dutifully took notes on everything she taught us about pregnancy and childbirth. I’d filled the pages, outlining what to expect during my final stage of pregnancy and during the birth.
I flipped through my notebook again as I eased into my car, noting my clear summaries of the stages of birth and what to anticipate during the labor process. Driving home that evening, a few weeks before I was due, I wondered, as I’m sure every other first-time expectant mother has wondered, what exactly was in store for me. What would it be like to put all those preparatory hours of learning into practice?
After several more weeks of feeling nervous apprehension and excitement, my baby girl finally made her debut, providing me with a birthing experience unlike anything I had been taught to expect. Thankfully, I had much needed support in the form of a doula and my mother and husband who coached and guided me every step of the way.
However, the full effect came piling on long after those tumultuous and painful hours of labor, long after the doctor gave me a hearty mazel tov and placed my beautiful baby on my chest, long after I stared down at her in utter shock, awe, and amazement.
Create a free account to keep reading.
