Life
By the time you've been pregnant for 40 (more or less) weeks, I can pretty much guarantee you're ready for that pregnancy to end. I, for one, was tired of everything hurting, everything swelling, and growing hair in places hair shouldn't exist. However, while I was more than ready to have my baby and send my pregnancy, I wasn't prepared for the emotional stages of being induced. Nope, I had a lot of feelings, you guys. A lot of feelings.
The day my OB-GYN and I decided to go ahead and induce, I went a little bananas. Instead of going home to rest (as directed) I went to Target and bought a diaper pail. I didn't have one and I was about to have a baby, so in my mind I needed one. What kind of a mother didn't own a diaper pail, right? So I waddled and sweated and grunted my way through the busy aisles. I proudly purchased my pail and headed to my car, only I couldn't find my car. I had forgotten where I parked it, so I wandered the parking lot with my diaper pail, pushing the button on my key fob to make the horn beep. At the same time I couldn't stop thinking, "OMG I'm going to have a baby. I'm going to have a baby, I'm going to have a baby. I'm going to have a baby." To say I was freaking out would be putting too mildly.
As the day progressed, I experienced a range of emotions. While I was more than ready for my pregnancy to end, motherhood is scary and taking care of another human being is a gigantic responsibility. So, if you're feeling any of the following emotional stages, know that you're not alone. Not even a little bit.
Excitement
Today is the day! Woohoo! This time tomorrow (or maybe the next day, depending on your labor) you'll have a baby! Pregnancy is over!
Anxiety
Almost immediately after my excitement subsided, I started realizing that tomorrow I would actually have a baby. I mean, my pregnancy (something I had come to grow somewhat used to for a significant amount of time) was coming to an end. Holy sh*t.
Denial
Not too long after the reality of my situation hit, I started sinking into a little bit of denial. I mean, there was just no way someone was actually going to let me leave the hospital with a newborn, right? What kind of incompetent people would let me leave with a baby? I've still got time. Maybe the doctor is wrong and it's not time to induce yet.
Relief
Then, while waking towards my car (wherever it was parked) my sciatica kicked in, my pubic symphysis started grated together, I was dribbling pee. So, yeah, there were more than a few reminders that I was more than ready for my baby to arrive.
Apprehension
One I accepted the fact that labor and delivery was in my immediate future, I started having questions on questions on questions. How long will it take? Is it true that induction contractions hurt way worse than "natural" contractions?
Determination
Then I remembered all I've gone through as a human being, and realized that I got this. In fact, this isn't going to even be a problem. After all, women have been giving birth for centuries. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.
Fear
It's all fun and games until that pain kicks in, though. Being in that situation is other-worldly, if only because the physical and mental toll is downright intense. Plus, as a first-time mom I had no idea what to expect. Was it supposed to hurt this bad? Was it supposed to feel this way? Yeah, this can't be normal. Nope. Not even a little bit normal to be in this much pain.
(#ProTip: it's normal.)
Peace Of Mind
Most women who induce decide on an epidural. So, if that's in the cards for you, you'll get it placed before you know it and a peace of mind and sense of calm will wash over you (drugs are awesome). Hell, you might even sleep.
Regardless of how your induction goes, how your labor and delivery pans out, and even how you feel throughout the entire process, you're a badass mom-to-be. No, seriously. This is no joke. You're a rockstar, and you're going to be a wonderful mother.
