"We're going to lose this baby!!"
"Just do it without the anesthesia."
He cuts. I don't move.
Forceps in.
Grinding like a molar being pulled.
I allow myself to scream.
I'm a mother.
****
I have prepared this post for the weekend Trifextra Writing Challenge. We have to use exactly 33 words and the word 'mother' in honor of Mother's Day. This is the story of the birth of my third son. I actually went on to have two more kids after this...because I am obviously nuts. The photo is actually the son of that son, but they look virtually identical.
Oh, I'm a barren spinster and your courage made me cringe with empathy and admiration. You deserve a big "happy mother's day!"
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Happy Mothers Day! Men have war and women have THAT! LOL! The memory of pain goes away and you are left with an ungrateful teenager :)
DeleteThanks for the laugh. I shared it with my daughter who is visiting me for Mothers Day. I loved the thoughts and the words. I never heard of Trifecta poetry. Thanks for the newly found knowledge.
DeleteOh, you should try Trifecta some time _ I'm addicted!
DeleteOh God, Libby! Nice tight use of your 33 words. I am still in the midst of moving with almost zero time for blogging and writing but hope to come back to Trifecta one day.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to drop by and see what you've written ... I'm a fan.
Happy Mother's Day!
I really feel for you! Moving sucks like nothing else...
DeleteYou WILL get done though!
Thanks for taking the time to cruise by...means a lot to me...that's nice that you're a fan(!) Still working on my script. I think its going to be good; I'm excited!
That's terrific -- very powerful. You did this challenge superbly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra! Are you thinking of entering this one? I really like your writing a LOT.
DeleteI bow to you - a c-section with no anesthesia? You are Mother supreme.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you shared the pic of the son of that son. Happy Mother's day.
He is brand new as of January!
DeleteMy third son's birth was a fiasco from the beginning. I had to take a taxi to the hospital; I was all by myself. The DOCTOR completely lost it and became semi-hysterical. By the time he cut I'm pretty sure I was in shock cause I didn't feel it.
Oh, Libby! You brave mother of all mothers! I cannot even begin to imagine... A very Happy Mother's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet. You would have done the same thing. The cord was around his little neck and his heart beat was getting slower and slower. :(
DeleteBut, now he's fine!
OMG! "Just do it without the anesthesia." You are Mother Superior, Catholic or not. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you think about it, it was a selfish move because I knew whatever the doctor did would hurt a lot less than mourning a dead full-term baby for the rest of my life. I could not survive that kind of pain. He was a big nine and a half pound boy. He needed out!
DeleteA C-section without the anesthesia! However, as one who had 4 CS, anesthesia was always scary to me. So, I do not know which is worse. That beautiful baby made it all worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThe mother here is very brave. I admire her a lot.
~Imelda
Thank you. I think that most people would not let the baby die. The cord was around his neck.
DeleteWow. You're amazing - I had 2 c-sections (first unplanned because he was too big at nearly 10 and a half lbs.) I don't know if I could have done it without anesthesia. Hard to say, but thank goodness I didn't have to find out.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank goodness everyone in your family was healthy and survived the experience :)
Yea, all's well that ends well! But, it was just quite the traumatic half hour ;)
DeleteHoly crap. This brings back terrible memories of failed epidurals. I wish I hadn't read this. ;)
ReplyDeleterosemarymint.wordpress.com
LOL! Its all over now! And no more kids for me - its someone else's turn!
DeleteThose darn epidural fails. You poor thing, but so glad the baby and you were safe!
ReplyDeleteThat's the main thing!
DeleteWhat happened was that I got to the hospital at the last minute, so there was no time :(
Wait- you have 5 kids? And a section without anesthesia..... I'm pretty sure you get to take the next 10 years off.... :lol: Go mama!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I am exhausted a lot of the time(!) But, I just started doing yoga, and I don't know how it works, but it really helps!
DeleteAll of you wonderful moms remind that I have two great kids I could have written about ... and I yet I chose the Mother F@cker route.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a classy lady.
Lol! I could easily have gone that way. But I had this dramatic story. The cord's around his neck! Cut me!
ReplyDeleteI was traumatized for months after that. I might as well get some mileage out of it now that the kid is 19!
Thanks so much for linking up with this story. And for the adorable picture. You're giving new meaning to the "pain of childbirth" thing here. Props to you for enduring it and living to tell! Happy Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks... He really IS a beautiful baby(!) even if I do say so myself!
DeleteI'm still trying to catch my breath, after those precious 33 words. Wow! Whew! And I read all of the comments.
ReplyDeleteBut it is true. You don't know the decisions you will make till you do, and I'd take those moments of intense pain over a lifetime ache.
As I write that my eyes fill with tears and I have to catch my breath again. Wow. Great write.
Aw, thanks, Karen. See what I mean about anyone would do the same thing!
DeleteWow. Speachless. Amazing story in just 33 words. How terrifying that must have been and how amazing that it is built into mothers to forget. That is the only way the human race can live on. From the strength of the women and our ability to repeat the experience. Stopping by from the Ultimate Spring Hop. I hope you have a very Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteGena, thanks for coming by! I have heard that there is something built into us which makes us unable to recall the pain...I think its true. Or, as you said, the human race would die out!
DeleteGrinding like a molar being pulled. Hot. That is hot. The imagery, and the pain you're describing, with that ultimate gift at the end that makes it all acceptable, are just perfect.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Jess. I remember thinking at the time that it was like a molar being pulled. This bone-grinding feeling. Really disturbing at a deep level. *shudders*
ReplyDeleteIntense story Libby and true too. You win Mother of the Year forever!!! One brave lady!!! Can't believe you had 2 more after THAT. YOU are awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks. I'm starting to get embarrassed. Really hardly anyone would just lie there and let the baby die. The doc was a total spaz tho and got no more of my business!
DeleteAwesome post!! WOW-- no anesthesia!! YIKES!! You are so brave!! I am also a Mom of 5 --it is okay to be a little nuts :)
ReplyDeleteCheers, Jenn