I just got off of the phone with my aunt, one of my mother's sisters. Our conversation was pleasantries about the family, the holidays and how my current pregnancy was going. She was tickled pink to know my due date was her birthday and began to tease about was to ensure that the baby is born on that day.
She began to tell me of my younger brothers birth. My mother was living with my aunt and she played a very close support role to her. I wanted to know things I wouldn't have thought to ask before; how long was she in labor, how long did she push, did she use anything, etc. Ultra sounds in the 70's were not available to every one but they thought she was having a boy based on how she was carrying him (low). It is unknown how long her active labor but between the time she wanted to get to the hospital and actually delivered was about three hours. The doctors told my aunt that it would be a while so she stepped outside long enough to smoke a cigarette. By the time she returned my little brother was born (a ten-pounder).
My aunt laughed as she reminisced at all of the infant clothes that he couldn't fit and described how huge he looked next to the other babies in the nursery. Knowing how fast he came was a fun fact for me because I have experienced similar events with the births of my daughters. We were told by hospital staff that "it was going to be a while" only for them leave and return in 5-10 minutes with my babies coming full speed.
It's been 5 years since my mother has passed. I know many can relate to how the holidays and major life changes (like expecting a baby) can make you long for a loved ones presence. I wish I could sit and talk to my mom about her pregnancies and births, especially with me. I heard bits and pieces over the years but there is something about being pregnant and parenting, encountering your own fears, obstacles, joys, expectations whether you are a first timer or having your sixth that makes you want to bond with your mother and share this common bond. I appreciate my aunt filling in the gap, the missing pieces. She has no idea that she was feeding my heart and soul with that story.
Did you have a strong interest in your mothers pregnancy, labor and delivery experience while you were expecting? Feel free to share any stories, I'd love to hear them.
She began to tell me of my younger brothers birth. My mother was living with my aunt and she played a very close support role to her. I wanted to know things I wouldn't have thought to ask before; how long was she in labor, how long did she push, did she use anything, etc. Ultra sounds in the 70's were not available to every one but they thought she was having a boy based on how she was carrying him (low). It is unknown how long her active labor but between the time she wanted to get to the hospital and actually delivered was about three hours. The doctors told my aunt that it would be a while so she stepped outside long enough to smoke a cigarette. By the time she returned my little brother was born (a ten-pounder).
My aunt laughed as she reminisced at all of the infant clothes that he couldn't fit and described how huge he looked next to the other babies in the nursery. Knowing how fast he came was a fun fact for me because I have experienced similar events with the births of my daughters. We were told by hospital staff that "it was going to be a while" only for them leave and return in 5-10 minutes with my babies coming full speed.
It's been 5 years since my mother has passed. I know many can relate to how the holidays and major life changes (like expecting a baby) can make you long for a loved ones presence. I wish I could sit and talk to my mom about her pregnancies and births, especially with me. I heard bits and pieces over the years but there is something about being pregnant and parenting, encountering your own fears, obstacles, joys, expectations whether you are a first timer or having your sixth that makes you want to bond with your mother and share this common bond. I appreciate my aunt filling in the gap, the missing pieces. She has no idea that she was feeding my heart and soul with that story.
Did you have a strong interest in your mothers pregnancy, labor and delivery experience while you were expecting? Feel free to share any stories, I'd love to hear them.
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