Closer and Closer to Our Delivery

August 10th, 2010

I went with my wife, Witni to our 34 week checkup yesterday. Our baby is going to be hear in about 5 weeks! It is becoming more and more real. I know for her, in this third trimester, it is beyond real. That baby is moving and kicking like crazy! It’s amazing to see this person grow inside of my wife, and I can’t wait to meet him or her. Yes, it will be a surprise for us both. We did not figure out what it was when we had the ultrasound. We’ve had mixed reactions on that choice, but we are both very excited about that moment.

Now, I’m getting all prepared for the labor myself. I finished reading Natural Childbirth, the Bradley Method, and I am ready to be a good coach. We’ve even been practicing our relaxation exercises. As I’ve talked with a lot of fathers about when their children were born, many were not involved in the delivery. Often times I hear of those who waited in the hospital or even somewhere else for a call that the baby was born. I can certainly understand on how that was a cultural norm for men, but I received a very thought provoking statement from a friend and a father of 5 on Sunday. He said, “this is the last thing that you and your wife will ever do alone together.” That is not only a powerful statement, but true! If this is the last event that my wife and I get to do together before this baby comes, I want it to be a shining example of us working together as a team. Early on in the pregnancy, I considered this job to me my wife’s, but now, I see that I can play a very important, caring, loving and serving role in the birth of our baby. It’s the same role I plan on fulfilling as a father.

Right now, I’m watching a documentary Netflix called The Business of Being Born. It’s very interesting. I know I was unclear on the role of a midwife not a long time ago. But now, I am pretty firm in believing this is an excellent way to give birth. Our goal is to get through much of the labor at home, but then we will be meeting the midwife at the hospital when we are further along. It may not be the choice for everyone, but this is the way we are going.

I can’t wait for this baby to come! Life changing. Life altering. Thrilling. Exciting. How do you describe this event? I’m sure, as in many things in life, you can’t explain, but only have to experience. Here’s a picture of my wife and I at an awards banquet she was nominated for recently. She’s so beautiful!