Strong Beginnings
Dear baby girl,
This weekend your daddy and I attended an orientation at Stong Hospital. Even though Strong is a HUGE hospital (and rather difficult to navigate), your daddy is a PRO - he works there, after all! - and got us to where we needed to be in no time at all. Honestly, though, once we got into the elevator it was very clear that we just needed to follow all of the other pregnant bellies!
We began the orientation in a conference room on the second floor. (My favorite part of this location was the tantalizing scent of coffee wafting up from Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters in the lobby.) A really sweet R.N., who works as a Lactation Consultant, presented a slideshow to us and about 12 other couples. In it, she discussed everything from where to park to security systems in place so that babies aren't stolen to the photography service that's available after the baby is born. When the presentation was over, we made our way to the third floor where we were greeted by another nurse and split into two groups for a tour of the rooms. Each birthing room is private (hallelujah!) with an en suite bathroom, jacuzzi tub & shower. There's a single chair that folds into a bed for the "birthing coach" (AKA your daddy) and a bunch of high-tech looking equipment to monitor the mom & baby before and during delivery. They even have a nice little kitchen area that's stocked with snacks (for the dads, mostly, and for the moms after the delivery is over). Before we left, we took a walk past the nursery and saw two adorable newborn babies.
Everyone we met at Strong was incredibly kind and
clearly passionate about what they do, but I couldn't help feeling
incredibly overwhelmed. I have spent so long focusing on my pregnancy
that I've managed not to acknowledge the fact that I actually have to go
through labor & delivery. Truthfully, I am terrified. I'm
afraid that I won't be able to do it and that something will go wrong. I
wish I felt empowered and strong, but I don't (maybe that will come
after?). Instead, I feel worried and anxious.
By the time you read this, I will clearly have made it through delivery and will probably tell the tale proudly about the day you were born. But in the meantime, I find myself pondering how I can so desperately want to meet you and, at the same time, want you to stay inside of me forever. Maybe someday, when you're expecting your first baby, you will understand what I mean!
From now on, I plan to do my very best to focus on the end result, which is seeing you for the first time and holding you in my arms. I can't wait for that moment.
I love you already,
Mommy
This weekend your daddy and I attended an orientation at Stong Hospital. Even though Strong is a HUGE hospital (and rather difficult to navigate), your daddy is a PRO - he works there, after all! - and got us to where we needed to be in no time at all. Honestly, though, once we got into the elevator it was very clear that we just needed to follow all of the other pregnant bellies!
We began the orientation in a conference room on the second floor. (My favorite part of this location was the tantalizing scent of coffee wafting up from Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters in the lobby.) A really sweet R.N., who works as a Lactation Consultant, presented a slideshow to us and about 12 other couples. In it, she discussed everything from where to park to security systems in place so that babies aren't stolen to the photography service that's available after the baby is born. When the presentation was over, we made our way to the third floor where we were greeted by another nurse and split into two groups for a tour of the rooms. Each birthing room is private (hallelujah!) with an en suite bathroom, jacuzzi tub & shower. There's a single chair that folds into a bed for the "birthing coach" (AKA your daddy) and a bunch of high-tech looking equipment to monitor the mom & baby before and during delivery. They even have a nice little kitchen area that's stocked with snacks (for the dads, mostly, and for the moms after the delivery is over). Before we left, we took a walk past the nursery and saw two adorable newborn babies.
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| This is what a typical room looks like. |
By the time you read this, I will clearly have made it through delivery and will probably tell the tale proudly about the day you were born. But in the meantime, I find myself pondering how I can so desperately want to meet you and, at the same time, want you to stay inside of me forever. Maybe someday, when you're expecting your first baby, you will understand what I mean!
From now on, I plan to do my very best to focus on the end result, which is seeing you for the first time and holding you in my arms. I can't wait for that moment.
I love you already,
Mommy
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