I made it to the gym this morning which honestly some weeks feels like an Olympic feat in and of itself. But I was reminded today that I am training and need to get a little more serious. I've never had the most noble of aspirations for fitness, despite who I am married to (I mean that as a compliment - Sean is downright inspiring). General fitness is always part of it for me, sure...but I'm a girl and things like getting in wedding shape...losing baby weight...or training for a race that I want to feel good about? Those are easy motivators. So, Jamie, this is like training for a race, only the deadline is a range of dates and there's absolutely no getting out of it!
When I was preparing for Claire's labor and delivery the marathon metaphor was on my mind a lot; as far as long-range planning and preparation for a physical event. While I'm pretty sure an actual 26.2 mile race is beyond me (a 10K on the struggle bus was my max in my prime)...I'm convinced that this type of physical feat is some of the most noble and important work I will do in my lifetime. There's no one else who can birth my babies...and they count on me to do my very best. There are so many choices I will make, some that are in progress now, that will help shape who he or she is going to be and how healthy. What the temperament will be like, how we will bond and how he or she will breastfeed. Birth is not just a hospital stay and a checklist of choices that optimize mom's comfort preferences. To quote a natural birth expert I listen to a lot, "birth matters!" There are so many things I can do to make this the safest pregnancy, labor and delivery possible for baby and for me. Despite what the culture may tell us, I feel like becoming a mother is one of the most empowering things that can happen to a woman. Career be damned - this is a vocation and it lasts forever!
It's overwhelming that everything I do now, from what I eat to when I decide to sleep in instead of get up and do some squats, affects this cherry-sized person tucked away safely inside me. But that's good preparation for everything that happens postpartum for the rest of our lives. Since, you know, "having a child is like having your heart walking around outside your body." Their hurts are my hurts, their joys are my joys. How beautiful that it starts out all in one body where we truly share everything.
All of the squats and the abs. Less of the sugar. All of the prayer and reading the hippie midwife books and waterbirth classes at the birth center. Less of the worry and doubt. We can do this, baby :)
