Before the details get fuzzy (Part 1: Prep Time)

(Last year I wrote about my daughters entrance into this world.  I would like to take this opportunity to document Maxton's entrance into this world before my memory fails me even more than it already has.)

Part 1: Prep Time

I found out I was pregnant with Maxton in late January of 2008. Feelings of excitement, elation, and worry flooded my mind and heart. There were plenty of reasons to be excited over the soon-to-be newest member of our family (ie. potential playmate for Mazzy) and plenty of reasons to be scared straight (ie. giving birth ...again!) My labor with Mazzy was relatively quick, albeit anxiety ridden. Once becoming pregnant with Maxton I sought out tools I could use to make the birthing experience much more in my control.

I was ALL over the place and definitely lacked focus when it came to my labor with Mazzy. The two days after her birth were spent in  a hot, stuffy, closet of a hospital room. Just pure anxiety surrounded that whole experience. My goal this second time around was to be calm(er), and a little more in control of my state of mind. Plus I wanted to get my husband involved in the process.  I asked my good friend, Ali,  if she would loan me her book on the Bradley Method. She had successfully given birth to her son without pain medication and once described the book in these terms:

“I highly recommend this book to any woman considering "natural" childbirth or, more specifically, childbirth without the use of pain medication and with as little medical intervention as possible. I read this book before the birth of my son and found it even more helpful than the Bradley classes my husband and I participated in. It is comprehensive, thorough, inspiring, well-illustrated, and full of good advice for the mother as well as the "coach" (in my case, my husband). One word of advice: start reading early in your pregnancy (as soon as you are pregnant, if possible, but hopefully no later than a few months before your due date). You will need time to prepare yourself both mentally and physically for this most rewarding challenge.”

Now, I did not follow her advice, as I asked for the book only a couple months (if that?) before Maxton was to be born. I have to add that my reasons for attempting a  pain medication free childbirth were slightly less involved and honestly, a little vain.

1) I knew I could endure the transition phase of childbirth without pain medication because I did so with Mazzy (unwillingly, I might add.) So why not see if I could willingly do it? And then, if I willingly went pain med free for the entire birthing process, maybe I would meet my next goal....

2) I wanted to appear less bloated in the pictures that would inevitably be taken shortly after his birth. (Guys, I could have taken a shower with the amount of water stored in my face after I gave birth to Mazzy.)


There would be a third reason, although I wouldn't come to that realization until a couple hours after Maxton's birth.

So, there you go.


I have to admit I only read the technique chapters. I steered away from the chapters on the philosophy behind the method. Ali knows my personality and she warned me that I may be headed into a territory I would rather not trespass. I scare easily.

The nights preceding Maxton's birth I would read a chapter at a time and "practice" what the book laid out for me. I would read Josh little tidbits of what I needed him to remember for when it was "show time" and I'd quiz him him every so often. He was a good sport. (And as you'll read later, the most encouraging and loving birthing coach.)

"Part 2: Go Time" to follow....