This post was originally published in August 2008.
In honor of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, I thought I’d pull out this meme I found. It’s about…well, labor. And not the kind you get a day off for, either.
How long were your labors?
Kid #1, 12 hours.
Kid #2, 13 hours
Kid #3, 5 hours.
Kid #4, 10 hours.Clearly, Kid #3 was a speed racer. Still is.
How did you know you were in labor?
Kid #1, water breaking.
Kid #2, water breaking.
Kid #3, mind-numbing contraction that came out of nowhere and sent me to my knees.
Kid #4, water breaking.Clearly, Kid #3 liked to make an entrance. Still does.
Where did you deliver?
With all of them, at a hospital. Where the drugs are.
Drugs?
See
above. Oh my stars, YES. Actually, I recall an especially precious
moment during my first labor in which I grabbed my husband’s shirt,
pulled him in toward my face, and growled “I WANT AN EPIDURAL IF YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO ME.”
C-section?
Nope, though Kid #3 almost was. He was breech until the doctor did a successful “external cephalic version” at the last minute. That was an delightful procedure in
which my sweet husband stood watch over my shoulder, holding my hand,
and then he leaned in to whisper, “Sweetheart, right now your belly
looks like something out of the movie Alien.”
Who delivered?
Doctors, and really great ones. I’ve been so thankful for them to them for helping my little ones get to me safely. And also, for bringing the drugs.
Kid #2 was born in a teaching hospital in a Chicago. After all the pushing and the breathing and the glowing over my new boy, I looked down to find my doctor, joined by ELEVEN doctors and nurses in training standing where the sun will never shine. Goodbye, modesty.
And after a slow labor initially, Kid #4 made a sudden, dramatic appearance, beating the doctor. The nurses did the job. (Though the doctor, interestingly, still got paid all the same…)
If you want to play along with this meme, just cut and paste the questions into your own blog, and leave a comment so we can find you!
Rocks In My Dryer 
I did mine today, since two friends gave birth yesterday.
http://kellkellmusings.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor-day.html
I’ll play! Thanks!
What the heck! First one was pretty exciting….second was pretty good too! Fun stuff!!
Great meme for Labor day. Here’s mine: http://virginiamom3.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor-day.html
Here is mine: http://virginiamom3.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor-day.html
Mine won’t be published till Monday, but since I had my first this spring, I can actually write something on this one.
http://strathconn.com/lady/2009/09/07/labor-day/
playing along! http://pennypinchingpenguin.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor.html
I just did this…it seems like everyone else I know is having babies, and I’m the only who decided 4 years ago that 3 kids was enough…
Very cute! I’m posting this on Labor day. It’s a fun one!
Both of my kids were planned C-sections. They were big, my pelvic opening is not. But we didn’t know the gender of either one. :0) I was so excited to see who they were!
I’ll play!
I read this and laughed in amazement after 20 years remembering what my doctors were like.
Thanks! That was fun!
http://thebattleforhelmsdeep.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor-day.html
i’m playing, since #2 was just born last week, it was appropriate!
http://www.senorelefante.blogspot.com
Love the comment about your last child’s delivery! Where I work ( in L&D) I always ask my patients not to deliver on me because I don’t get paid any more money and there’s lots of paperwork to fill out!
I’m in!
I played! Loved it when you ran this last year, I read every single one. If THAT wasn’t enough to tell me I was done, lol!
Blessings,
Carolynn
I played too, which was fun. A lot of people reading my blog don’t know I’m a homebirther. http://olearmckinney.blogspot.com/2009/09/laborious.html
Thanks, Shannon!
Don’t have a blog, so here are my answers…..
How long was your laboUr?
Kid #1, 36 hours.
How did you know you were in laboUr?
Kid #1, ouchy pain for 12 hours BEFORE I went to the hospital
Where did you deliver?
Hospital…..with 3 doctors, 2 nurses, my sister and my hubs
Drugs?
Lets see, what didn’t i have….I had 2 shots of demerol, laughing gas, and epidural and THEN they had to induce me….yup…there is a reason there is only one child
C-section?
Nope, but it was close….he did that green poo in me…was a little distressed. If I hadn’t had him by noon, it was c-section time…I had him at 11:58
Who delivered?
3 doctors, 2 nurses, my sister and my hubs…the last 2 suffered hand damage with each contraction…..my hubs says his hand still hurts in the cold weather.
PS–I’m from Canada…can you tell?
What a great way to celebrate the day in bloging mom style!
I did mine! =)
Yeah – I’m late but here’s mine.