by Kimberly Chitwood

Created on: August 14, 2008

Before I go any further, I have to justify most of this delivery story is about the day before my daughter's delivery. There is a reason, and it is connected. Just bear with me! What happened the day before is what led to the next day's (3 days before my actual due date) delivery.

The day before I had my daughter was unplanned and is one I will NEVER forget. I woke up that morning, intending to have a half-way relaxing day at home. Instead, I was surprised, no, SHOCKED, to see a pig just outside my door, rooting in the dirt around the power pole. I tried to shoo it away, but it tried to come up my front stairs and INTO MY HOUSE! I had to take a picture! So, I got my camera and snapped a shot or two. The flash startled the pig, and he started running. So, I followed him.

About that time, two chihuahuas (one male, one female) came walking down the road. They saw the pig and THEY started following it! Picture this: The pig followed by 2 chihuahuas followed by me, a 9-month pregnant lady just trying to take a picture of a pig. *shrug* Anyway, I snapped one more picture. The flash startled the pig again, but instead of running away from me, HE RAN TOWARD ME! Aaaaaah! So, I ran! Yes, I said it. I ran back to the house, up the stairs, and inside. I slammed the door and locked it. I looked out the window, and he had walked off.

What does this have to do with my delivery story? Well, because of this ordeal, especially the running, I went into labor the next morning @ 1:30am, and as I said earlier, 3 days before my due date. I was admitted to the hospital @ 7:30am. When I was finally put into a room, I noticed that there were student nurses in the maternity ward that day. So, it was very interesting when two of them asked if they could watch me deliver my baby. I said, "Yeah, of course!" Was I in a position to say no? NO. Did I really care? Not really. I WAS IN PAIN! Well, I was in pain until my epidural kicked in. Then, I was high as a kite and talking 90-to-nothing.

One of the student nurses was named Samantha, and she told me that her daughter had been born on the exact same day (January 15th) just one year before @ 10:40am. Then, she said, "Now, you have 10 minutes to start pushing!" And, what's so hilarious is that 11 minutes later @ 10:41am, my daughter's crowned and she was born! I hope Samantha turned out to be a good nurse because she was right on the money.

The delivering doctor was Dr. Jarvis, who had just told me two days before that I could have my baby on his birthday if I wanted to. He was joking, of course. But, the joke was on me because guess what? Dr. Jarvis delivered my daughter on January 15th, his birthday. Did you get that? The delivering doctor delivered my baby on his birthday. So, my daughter and him share a birthday.

Needless to say, my daughter is now 4 1/2 years old. She's beautiful, smart, comedic, sweet, independent, and so many other good things. She's turned out alright, despite her hilarious start into this world!

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Chitwood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.