What We’re Waiting For
Recognizing the signs of labor
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“Think of ripples on a pond,” Robert quotes as we walk. “A flower opening.”
He’s referencing the hypnobirthing book, putting images in my head that are meant to be helpful for labor.
“No,” I scoff. “That’s for the down breathing part.”
Labor has two main stages: the long hours of early labor, where the upper part of the uterus contracts (“surges,” in the hypnobirthing parlance) and positions the baby; and the short bit at the end when the baby actually comes out. You’re supposed to practice breathing and visualizations for the first part (“up”), because the second (“down”) will come more naturally.
“Okay,” Robert concedes, “What do you do for the up part?”
“Things that go up,” I quip dryly. “Bubbles. Sunrise. Hot air balloons.”
“Drones. Picture the rotors spinning up. Jet engines.”
“Yes, very peaceful. What are those airplanes that take off straight up?”
“Harrier jets,” he nods.
I watch a video of a harrier jet takeoff later. With the sound off, it actually is surprisingly gentle. I suspect we’ve not quite followed the spirit of the hypnobirthing practice, but I’m…
