birth

It's the climax of all maternity movies — that pinnacle scene when the woman's water breaks and the frenzied couple race to the hospital. It's the day that you envision the moment that your pregnancy is confirmed — when your baby finally decides it's time to meet you. Well, that scenario didn't happen for me.

There was no scramble to pack a bag or pull into the hospital's unloading zone, just me in a sterile smock two weeks overdue and exhausted from having walked my feet off, had sex, indulged in spicy foods, and done everything else I read would bring on labor, listening to my doctor say he was admitting me for induction. The news thrilled my husband, but he wasn't the one signing the papers to have our offspring evicted from my body. I was, and hadn't planned on it. I hadn't had caffeine while pregnant, and now they were going to pump me full of drugs and force my child out. So, I cried. To see what happened, read more

Mommy Dearest,

I'm preparing to give birth to my first child. Not only will it be my first, but it will also be the first grandchild on both sides. My mother assumes that she is invited to attend the birth. I have no intention of having her there. We have a good relationship, but we are not very close. She always wants to be the center of attention and she is incredibly high-maintenance. She nearly ruined my wedding with her insistence that everything go the way she thought it should and now she's working on ruining my brother's the same way. I can't imagine relaxing enough to give birth with her in the room. I'd feel like she was judging me — thinking that she didn't make that much noise, suggesting another position when I was happy right where I was. Not to mention, she and my husband don't get along well, especially in stressful situations.

To compound the whole thing, my parents are divorced and my dad feels slighted any time I involve my mom in something, but not him. My parents and in-laws are concerned about who will be the "alpha grandparents" (yes, they've all used that term). I have zero intention of letting my in-laws see my lady bits EVER. I don't think my dad has had that intimate a view of me since I was in diapers. And I can't even begin to imagine laboring with all six of them (counting my step-parents) in the same building, let alone the same room.

I can cut this whole disaster off at the pass by making sure my mom doesn't show up. However, she's the sort who will insist to herself that I didn't really mean it, that every woman wants her mom there beside her, and she'd bully her way past my midwife. I'm half inclined to just not call anyone to tell them that my labor is starting and just let them know when the baby has finally arrived (possibly waiting several hours until I think I can handle the onslaught of doting grandmas). All of my parents would be irritated about that though. They would want to know what was going on, but no one but my mom would show up uninvited. How can I stop this train wreck before it starts? I'm more nervous about this than about the actual pain of pushing another human being out of my body.

— Anxious About Birth

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more

Your best birth is personal choice so mamas-to-be consider both mainstream and alternative methods. This post was submitted by Beaner in Ask the Community Anything bar. She asked, "Anyone have opinions about taking a hypnobirthing class to prepare for labor?"

For pregnant women who want to channel their energy while dealing with contractions, Hypnobirth helps mom enjoy a dream like state to deal with labor pains.

Whether you are expecting your first baby or raising a brood, there's always an issue that a mom could use some insight on. Before you phone a friend, click over to LilSugar Community and type your inquiry away! We've just added an Ask the Community Anything box so you have a quick and easy way to get answers! Limited to 128 characters, you can plug away at home or the office without taking valuable time out of your day. Chime in with your opinion too!