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I remember the day of my sons birth like it was yesterday, that being said, he is now 8 going on 22. I had for the most part, and uneventful pregnancy, that is up until my 7th month. He was a very active little person, and when he moved, he looked like a tiny version of the Loch Nest Monster, and my belly was his domain.

When I was 7 months pregnant, I burst some membranes, which caused a slight sense of urgency, considering I was at work, mopping a floor, and I wasn't really sure what the heck was going on. I phoned my mom for a ride, told her what I thought had happened, and than proceeded back to work not really thinking anything about it. After finishing work 2 hours later, my mother whisked me off to the hospital, to find out, that yes in deed, I had burst some membranes. This would now lead to a month of straight bedrest, and nasty hospital food.

After constant and close monitoring, it was decided that after that month, that it would be too stressful on both my son and myself to carry on any further, so and induction date was set. With my due date now being a month earlier than it was supposed to be, there was concern about size, and maturity of my son.... Steroids were given to mature his lungs, and the thought that he would be a very small baby floated in the words of the doctor. "I wouldn't expect him to be any heavier than 5lbs, he said, and maybe around 12 - 13 inches".... Ha.... Would we prove him wrong.

I'm not sure how many women out there have ever had back labor, but for those of you that have, I give you great respect, for those of you that haven't, well lets just say, be more than allot happy. The big day came, and they induced me at about 6am, not the greatest wake up call I've ever had, and honestly, I don't understand why they feel the need to violate you like that. Now this being my first child, I expected this to be nice and cheery, with a little bit of pressure, maybe a couple of grunts a good push, and out would come my darling bundle of baby joy... Ha.. Those movies and TV shows lie... There was no cheer, there was alot of pressure, more grunts than a football game, and I honestly thought if I pushed any harder, I would completely fold inside out... Not a pretty picture..

My darling little bundle of joy entered into his brightly lite, very sterile world 21 1/2 hours later... So much for fast.... Not only did it take him so long to get here, but my "5lb" "12-13 inch" bundle of joy topped the scales at 6lbs 8oz and unfolded out to be 21 1/2 inches long. No wonder it looked like I had swallowed a sea serpent...

Imagine now my doctors face, when they announced his measurements, and I came back with a Ha... and you are supposed to be the expert. I thought he was going to give himself whiplash when he spun around so fast. My mother quickly apologized for me, saying it was the drugs... Did I mention the drugs, they were wonderful... Morphine was my friend, unfortunately morphine slows down labor, but that handy little drug patosin speeds it up, and morphine dulls the pain... I think I met Elvis...

It was the most wonderful day of my life, do I still remember the pain, nope I don't think so, what I do remember, is it was probably the most rewarding, humbling, and amazing day I have ever had.... I wish you all a day like that.

Learn more about this author, Mary Gage.
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