The transforming father

Parenthood does something to us as humans...I am so blessed and proud of the people we have become. My oldest daughter who is 2 1/2 came somewhat as a surprise to us. Determined to not see abortion as an option this time and engaged to be married I welcomed the new parasite eating away at me as best as I could. I was going to learn this mommy role even if it had never interested me before.

I had a very very crummy pregnancy. Feeling stuck in bed as most days I was too sick to even know how to function. My husband most days was gone either working or partying or hanging out with anyone who was funner than an extremely morning sickened wife. It was the loneliest I have ever been, at a time that I thought I would be surrounded by so much love having just gotten married and such.

My husband avoided the fact that I was pregnant. From being grossed out over my changing body. To not wanting to know what had developed or knowing how much time was left. I never knew what being a second time around virgin was like...but i found out. He didn't come to appointments and didn't want to know my concerns or fears over this growing child.

I did classes and read so so many books to try to prepare for this new little life. At the end of it all I finally signed up under a dula for fear of not knowing what labour was going to be like. And I wanted to do it naturally from what I had read.

So I finished up coaching basketball at a near by school and was excited for that evening because this was the first date he was taking me on in what seemed like forever. I was feeling a bit strange and figures I had pushed myself to hard while coaching so dressed back down into sweats and a comfortable shirt for dinner.(it's funny when your pregnant anything goes) we ate out and although it was a date, he spent most of the time watching sports on the TV. I was still feeling uncomfortable. So we went home where I could lay down and watch TV.

I noticed that the pain was maybe feeling crampy and called my mom. She told me that yes those probably are contractions and even though they aren't very painful yet to head to the hospital our family has fast births.

We head in and call the doula on the way. Thank goodness for her. She applied pressure on my back where I needed it when I wouldn't have been able to describe it to anyone. She ran a bath for me which helped me through the worst part of contractions...my water broke in there sounded like a huge pop! And she took all the photos of me nursing for the first time and encouraged me to push. My husband stood by the whole time. I honestly think just freaked out. The only thing he did was hold my hand when it was time to push. As I looked at him so scared that he was going to leave me during my largest time of need.

Fast forward to my newest daughters birth.

He came to as many dr visits as he could. He would kiss my belly and talk to our unborn child. He was the glue that kept our house functioning on so many days when I was too sick to handle it all. He even was the main parent who would put my oldest to bed at night. He bought me acupuncture bracelets to try and relieve my nausea. He drove me into the hospital to get checked a couple times as I was unsure if I was going into labour. We discussed about the doula again for this time, I told him I thought we could do without.

Babe was being stubborn and was 10 days late so they decided to induce me. Not with pictocine but with cervital but it could still take two days. So we dropped the oldest at grandma's and headed to the hospital they put it in monitored me for 2 hrs sent me home. I went to have a nap less then 20 min of being home I told hubby we need to go back. Before leaving, and while I could still talk I showed him how to push on my back through contractions. We get into the vehicle he drives to the hospital meanwhile every couple steps I am calling for him to push down once in the parking lot then talking to the nurses then on our way into the room. The nurse checks and calls the Dr to come in. Meanwhile the entire time my hubby is my ultimate support helping me through each contraction. They where suppose to be setting up an iv but I couldn't sit still enough for them to do it. Then just as my Dr enters the room I tell everyone I have to use the toilet.

While I am on the toilet I reach down to feel what's going on down there....AND HER HEAD IS CROWING. This freaks me out..my water hasn't even broke yet I scream, the Dr comes running in goes to feel I give his hand a death grip and he tells me I need to get off the toilet so my baby doesn't land in the toilet. Mean while he has his hand holding the top of the head I scurry over, theres only me and him in the bathroom no one else can fit thenmy husband pushes past the nurses jumps over the bathroom counter past the Dr to get in behind me so he can catch me! My water breaks it has baby poop mixed in with it. I am worried somethings wrong. Dr says it's ok and to push...So there you have it I GAVE BIRTH STANDING UP! I am given my baby and told to walk to the bed to finish the delivery. I can't even wrap my head around what just happened so I give my attached baby to my husband as u was worried I'd drop her from all the adrenaline. He just happily holds and loves on her while she's even still attached to me!

People change! And I just had to brag. Because fatherhood really did grow on my man. I am so blessed.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my incredibly long post.