The single most amazing moment of your entire life is about to happen. Be excited!
The one thing pregnant women forget to do: be happy.
When I was pregnant with my first child I took a birth class with my wife. For hours, we studied pain management techniques, watched videos of live births, learned where an internal fetal monitor goes and thought about all possible medications and interventions.
Our teacher was very experienced and answered every question, leaving nothing to our imaginations.
So my husband and I wrote a birth plan, toured the hospital, packed our baby bag—and mentally prepared ourselves to throw our plans out the window. In the weeks leading up to the birth, I nested, I walked, I swam, I ate and I slept. I approached my upcoming labor and delivery the way all the books and movies and grocery store hassles tell you to: Plan, organize and sleep now because you’ll never make it again! (So they say.)
I was ready, focused and very, very nervous.
But while my mind was busy going over the possibilities of pitocin and episiotomy, I forgot to be happy. I am quite a bit excited… but as my due date came and went, I became increasingly frustrated and depressed.
But now that I know what’s going to happen, I should be more excited.
What most people forget to tell you when you’re pregnant while cheering you on is how long it took them to give birth, how many stitches they had and how much pain they were in—is that the single most amazing moment of your entire life is about to happen! In the seconds it takes to feel that final push do its job, and for you to look at your baby, you will feel more happiness, achievement, wonder and awe than you have ever felt in your entire life.
There is nothing more physically satisfying or rewarding than giving birth to a baby. Nothing. It’s hands down, without question, the best feeling. And then—on top of your own personal physical miracle you’ve just performed—there’s a new, tiny person in the room. This little person who is suddenly there, and at the command of your heart and every worthy feeling you can muster. And you’re new too! Now you are a mother.
I talked to my husband about this, who was there holding my leg (wisely not telling me what to do during the whole process), and he would tell you the same thing: Seeing our daughter for the first time was the most amazing moment of her entire life. This experience has led me to believe that no matter how you met your first child—whether through C-section, surrogacy, vaginal birth or adoption—the moment you become a parent will be one of the best in your entire long life. And, as I found out after having a second child, this feeling isn’t limited to your first child!
Even though I really don’t want a child anymoreI can’t help but be jealous of nine months pregnant mamas I went through the street. I love looking at them and knowing that the best day of their lives is near. It’s really hard and painful and painful labor and everything everyone tells you it is, but I’ll gladly go through with itt again and again to experience that moment.
Related: Science confirms you’re a different person after giving birth
So while you’re packing your hospital bag, re-reading your pregnancy books or feeling anxious—take the time to be happy! Be really, really excited.
A version of this story was published previously. It has been updated.
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