I’ve never been a fan of hospitals, a sentiment that was solidified after my first experience. After enduring sixteen hours of labor that ended in an emergency c-section, I found myself stuck with school cafeteria-style food—think mystery meat and lukewarm mush. The nurse, bless her heart, left me alone with a newborn while I felt like a deer caught in headlights, and the showers had temperature controls that prevented anyone from burning themselves (or enjoying a much-needed hot shower). After four days of what I like to call “hospital hell,” I vowed to steer clear of any hospital for the rest of my life.
Fast forward two years, and baby number two was on the way. This was a baby they claimed I couldn’t have, so the stress of a high-risk pregnancy weighed heavy on me, compounded by memories of my first hospital visit. Yet, by eight months along, I found myself counting down the days until my four-day “getaway” at the hospital. The food might be mediocre, the showers lukewarm, and the help minimal, but honestly, dealing with a daughter in the throes of the terrible twos was way more daunting. Plus, I had the luxury of knowing exactly when my new arrival would make her debut thanks to my doctor’s agreement to schedule a c-section.
On the big day, everything was so orderly and seamless. From valet parking to registration, and even the epidural for surgery—it felt like a completely different world compared to my first experience. Within 20 minutes of my baby girl’s arrival, I was already nursing her. That evening, I savored a piping hot meal, a nurse popped in every hour to pamper my swollen feet, and I luxuriated under the hottest shower I’ve ever had.
Hold the phone! This wasn’t a hospital stay; it was a vacation at a luxury resort! By day three, they wanted to send me home, and I burst into tears right in front of the doctor. Unsure how to respond to my sudden emotional outburst, he called for my nurse while he checked on another room. When she arrived, she asked me why I was so upset about going home early. I whined, “But…but…I want to stay! My vacation isn’t over yet!”
Before her shift ended, my nurse treated me to the most delicious hot chocolate and gave me a warm hug. She took the baby to the nursery, telling me to catch as much sleep as possible. And I did just that. I popped a pain reliever, sipped my hot chocolate, caught up on TV, and slept like a baby for nine solid hours. Smooth sailing!
The next morning, with tears in my eyes, I packed our things and headed home. That’s when reality hit hard. I no longer had a team at my beck and call. No gourmet chef, no night nanny, just a constant loop of cartoons on TV. My coffee was cold, and let’s not forget, I was peeing with an audience again. My little “vacation” had officially ended.
It’s been a year since my second baby was born, and not a day goes by where I don’t daydream about being rich and famous enough to recreate that amazing hospital experience. Until then, I’ll cherish that four-day “vacation” for what it was—a truly rare escape from the chaos of everyday life.
Welcome aboard this wild ride called motherhood—where giving birth can feel like a much-needed break from reality!
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out Intracervical Insemination and Make a Mom. Also, don’t miss Kindbody’s blog for excellent resources on all things pregnancy!
Summary:
The author reflects on her first and second childbirth experiences, contrasting the chaos of her first hospital stay with the surprisingly pleasant experience of her second c-section. Despite initial fears, the second hospital stay felt like a vacation, complete with attentive care and comfort. Upon returning home, she faces the reality of motherhood without the luxuries of hospital life, yet cherishes the brief respite she had during her stay.