By Jacqueline Presley, first-time mama
It’s hard to believe, but there are only 8 weeks (give or take) until I meet my Katie. Until I become someone’s mom . Until my life is changed forever. Lately there is so much running through my mind! What will labor be like? Can I handle it? Will I end up getting a c-section? Will everything be ok with Katie when she’s born? Will Katie end up being Karl? Will I be a good mom? So much. There is a lot to think about, but I want to not let all these thoughts become a string of worries.
One of the things we’re learning in our Bradley class is SURRENDER. They are teaching us to surrender to the process physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Instead of being lead by fear, to embrace the process and be led by joy in the miracle of birth. Instead of bearing down against the pain, to open yourself up and go with the flow of the pain and the process. They have used the analogy to imagine that you are in the ocean and each contraction is like a wave. You should let go and let yourself be carried along with it rather than fight to keep your footing. This really applies to every part of it for me. Learning to surrender my life to GOD, completely. In my own strength, I can’t do it. It’s too big. There are too many concerns and worries. I need GOD to carry me through the process of birth and becoming a mom. I need him to teach me as I go and He will. I can rest in that.
