So I’m looking at the baby counter I posted in the sidebar, and that darn thing just keeps ticking down the days.
Really fast!
When I tell people I’m due in June it sounds like a long time from now. I mean it’s still winter. Late spring is months from now, right?
But that counter says I’m almost just 100 days away from a new baby. And when you break it down into those terms, well, that doesn’t seem like very much time at all.
I’m going to go get a paper bag to hyper-ventilate into.
Be right back.
O.K., all better.
You know when I was pregnant with David I didn’t feel anxious or worried or nervous. You’d think since he was the first, I would have been all worked up. But I was cool as a cucumber.
Maybe it was the bliss of ignorance then. This time I know what’s coming.
Maybe it’s because we still have to get the laundry room on the main floor moved to the basement, then turn that room into a proper nursery.
Maybe it’s because the doctor told me since I had a C-Section last time, but was healthy, I could choose whether I wanted to have another C-Section or a vaginal birth. Then he proceeded to list all the life-threatening complications that come with both options. And that have equal probability of happening in both instances. It seems either way I may hemorrhage to death. So I guess I have to decide which way I would prefer to leave this earthly plane? Oh, it didn’t help when the nurse asked me if I’d ever signed an End of Life Statement.
(Note to self – Purchase large life insurance policy before June.)
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many episodes of Oprah, watched too much Discovery Channel and read too many other blogs about babies who weren’t born healthy.
Maybe it’s because I wonder how I’m going to handle an infant and a high energy four year old on three hours sleep a night.
Whatever it is, I think I’m going to stop looking at that counter, and go back to thinking about far, far off June when the snow will be gone, flowers bloomed and birds singing.
Ah, spring!
I feel relaxed already.
So, here’s the dirty truth, the second kid is both easier and harder. It’s SO much easier because you know so much more about those early months and you don’t stress out as much about all of it. It’s harder, because, as you mentioned it, you have another child to entertain.
As for the C-section vs VBAC option, I didn’t have a choice (for insurance reasons I wasn’t given the VBAC option), but after reading horror stories about uterine rupture and the like I don’t think I would have opted for VBAC anyway. Good luck deciding!
I’m sorry the doctors and nurses got you so worked up. I cannot believe they stressed you so much. I am sure everything is going to be fine with you and the baby. Just try to relax!
I did a VBAC 7 1/2 years ago with my second pregnancy after my first pregnancy resulted in 24 hours of labor, stuck shoulders and a C-section. The VBAC was the BEST birthing experience I ever had, despite all the dire warnings they gave me. If you have the desire for a vaginal birth experience, I’d definitely say GO FOR IT! It was amazing…
Yes, it’s the whole uterine rupture things that gets me too! I’m leaning toward the C-Section right now.
Somebody once said that when God closes a door, He
opens a window.
We are like due the exact same day. ROFL Okay I’ll b serious. Thanks for the advice on my breastfeeding post. I’m totally going to follow your jurney my new preggo buddy!
p.s. those shows and books are torture but I can’t stop watching. LOL
I’ve had three boys now, and I’ve never, ever, with any one of them felt ready. I mean, my body has felt ready to “not be pregnant” but I’ve never felt prepared (and with my last the house was a disaster when he finally came…hard to get it clean when you have two kids and a hugh belly). But it is (usually) easier with the second once it comes…although it suddenly becomes harder to take care of your first (IMHO).