Flashback Friday - Waiting

From the moment you first suspect you are pregnant it is just one big waiting game isn't it?

My first pregnancy waiting game began back in November 2008.

I waited 5 days from being 'late' to confirming my pregnancy. I knew I was pregnant though, straight away really, before I went out and bought myself a pregnancy test, because I had never missed a period before. Those few days seemed to drag and when I actually had the test in my hand, stood in the bathroom, waiting for the result, those few seconds it took for the positive strip to reveal itself seemed to take forever too!

Then I had to wait for Jon to come home from work before I could break the news to him. I remember smiling to myself while I sat on the sofa at his parents house (which is where we were living at the time), wondering if anyone around me would guess my secret! I had waited a long time to feel this happy and be a mum-to-be.

After breaking the good news to our parents that night, I then had to wait several weeks before telling the rest of our family and friends. I wanted to wait until I had my 12 week scan to ensure that everything was safe before making my pregnancy public. Of course, thankfully, it was.

Then there was the wait for the 20 week scan. Jon and I both decided that we didn't want to know the gender of our unborn baby, preferring instead to wait and find out once he or she was born instead. Due to my age at the time, it had been explained to me that there could be a higher risk of having a baby born with Downs. We made the decision to pay for our 20 week scan as it would include a nuchal scan as well (something which our local hospital does now offer, but didn't during my first pregnancy, as I had it done there with Jenson).

Although everything seemed fine by the measurements that were carried out on the fetus at the scan, I still had to wait a few days for the results to be calculated and finalised. Again, thankfully, it was good news and the risk was very low.

Of course asides from the scans, there were other important and exciting pregnancy firsts I waited to see and feel happen. Watching my tummy all the time for a bump to appear; waiting to feel the baby move, those butterfly sensations so amazing and special, and for any kicks!

I guess the next thing to wait for was the date I would be able to finish work and start my maternity leave. Before I had Burton (and indeed until he was 4 months old) I owned my own business, a cafe, and was therefore on my feet all day everyday, 6 days a week. It was hard going near the end, and especially so on hot days and I would be so glad when it would be time to finish for the day and go home. Originally, I had hoped to finish work at the start of June giving me 4-6 weeks before my baby was due to enjoy some rest! Fat chance! I ended up working right up until 9 days before he was born! Everyone would joke that I would end up giving birth while cooking in the cafe!

And then, of course, the final stage of the waiting for baby game - wondering when it would be born: early, late or on time? As it happened Burton was born a few hours past his due date and from the onset of my very early labour twinges, I then had to wait a further 46 hours until I was able to hold my beautiful baby boy in my arms.

Those final hours, though at times painful and uncomfortable, were well worth it for the best outcome any amount of waiting could bring: motherhood, that feeling of undying and overwhelming love that takes your breath away. The best gift which is worth the wait, however long it has taken from start to finish : a healthy baby.

My baby. My first born. My perfect prize for waiting.

Afterall, the best things come to those who wait!!

I am linking this up to a great linky Flashback Friday where this weeks theme is WAITING.