Let’s face it, wonderful is probably not the first word many parents would use to describe the process of labor and delivery of their child. It is, however, one of the hundreds of words they would use to describe seeing and holding their newborn for the first time. Though the joy of a new baby opens a door to a whole new world, we must not forget that in order for that door to open, there is a labor of love that must take place first.
Though infants are all brought into this world through a process of physical labor and delivery by a woman, not all parents experience that process first hand. I would like to open your eyes to some new interpretations of the word labor. Most of us hear this word and begin thinking about Lamaze breathing techniques, painful contractions, and epidurals. But what about parents who adopt or use a surrogate? They don’t experience labor, do they?
Of course they do! Parents who adopt or use a surrogate endure a longer labor process than a woman who is in the physical labor process. These parents labor through obstacles such as personal struggles, lack of fertility, challenges that accompany being a same sex couple, and so on. They have labored through the arduous adoption process. They have labored through watching another woman carry their child. Parents who adopt or use a surrogate may not have to go to Lamaze classes or come up with a birth plan for their labor, but do not think they have not experienced labor leading up to the delivery of their child.
Similarly to labor, we must also expand our thoughts about the word delivery. While many mothers physically aide in their newborns’ delivery, through vaginal birth or C-Section, many others experience it in different ways. Some parents may be standing in the room watching as their child is delivered into this world by a surrogate or adoptive mother. Others experience the delivery of their child in an airport, orphanage, or hospital nursery where they meet them for the first time. Regardless of how or where
your child is delivered, the end result is the same: An overwhelming feeling of love as a parent for a new member of your family.
Though the process of labor and delivery may not have been totally wonderful itself, it was a necessary process in bringing your newborn into your life. As parents, you should be proud of your strength to endure this process. Over all, you should be thankful for labor and delivery because without this process you would not be cherishing the ultimate gift, your new baby!
*Pink Newborn Services would love to hear stories about your labor and delivery! Please share with us any details that made you especially thankful for the labor and delivery process. Reply below with your stories, feelings, and opinions about this blog topic.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, or you need to talk more in depth about this topic, please contact PINK Newborn Services at www.pinknewbornservices.com or toll free at (877) 456- PINK. Stay up to date with the latest hot topics, discussions, and contests on PINK Newborn Services Facebook and Twitter pages!
