Carmela Dutra's Blog - Posts Tagged "sane"

Here is something that all of us have heard several times over: Labor is hard work! As you’re reading this word that’s coming to mind is more than likely Duh!?! We already know it’s physically demanding, and mentally exhausting. If you are the type of person who wants to be in control of everything that goes on in life, well…. chances are you are going to have your thinking readjusted.


That’s me, I like to have everything planned out to the letter; but as I’ve learned long ago, there’s nothing in life that is set in stone. Especially when it comes to something as dramatically changing as labor. A month early, and 37 hrs of labor drilled that into my mind clear as day!


It’s okay though, because like almost every mother will say: He was worth every minute of it! Would I have preferred for my son to come on his due date? Absolutely! I would’ve been thrilled if he even came in the month he was due in. Do I wish he would’ve waited at least one extra day so my husband and I could have seen Star Wars the Force Awakens in the theaters? Do you even have to ask such a question??


It’s okay though, he came when he was ready. Was I ready for him? Hell to the no! We didn’t even have a mattress, or newborn clothing (everyone thought we would have a big baby since my husband and I are both tall. So the smallest clothing was 3 months). A friend of ours had to go shopping for us to pick up a few of the necessary items we were still lacking. We had planned to go shopping for the rest of the things we needed that Monday, little did we expect to be in a delivery room instead.

My point to all of this? There is never anything constant, or controlled other than the every changing of life, and nothing ever being in your control. All you can do is roll with the punches, and hold your head up while still maintaining some semblance of grace.



As out of control things seemed to quickly be going, I remained resolute in my determination to go drug free. In that area I was in control, in that way I maintained sanity, and I came out the victor! In all honesty I didn’t even know I was in labor for the first chunk of things, had I know I was I would’ve likely have gone to see Star Wars. Yes this is still a little bit of a sore subject for me…. It’s okay soon enough I will experience it in all of it’s amazing glory at home in the comfort of my pajamas. Besides, his smiles make up for anything missed.


Labor is hard work, but that’s just the beginning. I’m always asked: “Does he sleep through the night yet??” Well yes he does, but that doesn’t change things for me. Just because he sleeps through the night, doesn’t mean that I do. Things will always be physically demanding, and emotionally draining no matter how well he sleeps through the night or, how old my son gets.



Again, that’s okay! I love every minute of the out of control chaos that is thrown at me! Would I prefer it to be filled with little less vomit? Of course, what parent wouldn’t want that! It’s okay though, every moment of out of control insanity makes me a little more sane each and every day.

Happy parenting, and may you enjoy the insanity. After all, it only lasts for a little while…