Laborious

It's generally pretty quiet around the blogosphere on holidays, especially on ones in which we're all glued to the TV, thinking hopeful thoughts for our neighbors on the Gulf Coast. 

Just for fun, I thought I'd pull out this meme I found.  In honor of Labor Day, it's about...well, labor.  And not the kind you get a day off for, either.

How long were your labors? 

Kid #1, 12 hours. 
Kid #2, 13 hours
Kid #3, 5 hours.
Kid #4, 10 hours. 

Clearly, Kid #3 was a speed racer.  Still is.

How did you know you were in labor? 

Kid #1, water breaking. 
Kid #2, water breaking.
Kid #3, mind-numbing contraction that came out of nowhere and sent me to my knees.
Kid #4, water breaking. 

Clearly, Kid #3 liked to make an entrance.  Still does.

Where did you deliver?

With all of them, at a hospital.  Where the drugs are.

Drugs?

See above.  Oh my stars, YES.  Actually, I recall an especially precious moment during my first labor in which I grabbed my husband's shirt, pulled him in toward my face, and growled "I WANT AN EPIDURAL IF YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO ME."

C-section? 

Nope, though Kid #3 almost was.  He was breech until the doctor did a successful "external cephalic version" at the last minute.  That was an especially delightful procedure in which my sweet husband stood watch over my shoulder, holding my hand, and then he leaned in to whisper, "Sweetheart, right now your belly looks like something out of the movie Alien."

Who delivered?

Doctors, and really great ones.  I've been so thankful for them to them for helping my little ones get to me safely.  And also, for bringing the drugs. 

Kid #2 was born in a teaching hospital in a Chicago.  After all the pushing and the breathing and the glowing over my new boy, I looked down to find my doctor, joined by ELEVEN doctors and nurses in training, all, um, observing.  Goodbye, modesty.

And after a slow labor initially, Kid #4 made a sudden, dramatic appearance, beating the doctor.   The nurses did the job.  (Though the doctor, interestingly, still got paid all the same...)

If you want to play along with this meme, just cut and paste the questions into your own blog, and leave your link below. 

And you Gulf Coasters stay safe.  We're praying for you.

1. April 2. My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving 3. denise 4. Mari Taylor 5. We are THAT family 6. Tricia on the Hilltop 7. Heather G 8. Muses of Megret 9. Jennifer 10. A Day with the Demos 11. Lady Why 12. Smockity Frocks 13. Tracy 14. Leslie (Lux Venit) 15. April 16. Rachel 17. Georgetta 18. Finding Normal 19. Dawn 20. Angela-Adoption Labor 21. Carrie K. 22. Noochymama 23. Joy @ When Does Daddy Come Home? 24. Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt 25. Labor and Delivery 26. Kellyn 27. Barbara H. 28. Elizabeth 29. mzzterry 30. Tracy 31. Princess in Boyland 32. Jennifer @ Extreme House Wifeing 33. Kim @ Beanish & Other Languages I\'m Learning 34. Daiquiri @ Call Her Blessed 35. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates 36. Stephanie 37. KimC (mom of 9) 38. Amber @ BGH 39. aubree at tHe SoUtHeRn FaMiLY 40. Cibbit 41. Karen@candiddiversions 42. Suzanne B. (Beautiful Sisters) 43. Dana 44. Reformed Grits 45. Summer @ Wired For Noise 46. Jenny 47. Kisha @ Proud SAHM 48. Tiffany Flamm 49. Elizabeth 50. Chrissi 51. Tara@From Dawn Till Rusk 52. Monica @ Daily Dwelling 53. Melly K 54. LeeAnn 55. Stonefox (Heidi) 56. Anne 57. Kim @ Whims 58. Mandi @ Doodles Place 59. Kim (big babies) 60. Troye (Labor Days) 61. Cassie 62. Sandy@The DailyPoop =) 63. Erica 64. Mandy 65. canadacole 66. calina (Please don\'t send hate messages!) 67. Sarah Mae 68. Erin @ School Teacher, Superhero 69. Sandra @ Today\'s Housewife 70. Lynne @ Our Happy Home 71. Simply Shannon 72. Shannon (Muzbee Crazy) 73. Wife and Mommy 74. Renee @ rightfootforward 75. Brittany@Baby Butterflies 76. Shelley 77. Mom To Seven Sweeties & Mothering In Grace 78. Summer\'s Nook 79. Kari @ Just Another Day in Paradise 80. Shelly @ Life on the Wild Side 81. Tara (4 kids) 82. Sheri 83. The Miss Elaine-ous Life 84. Mrs. Sprinkles 85. Erin 86. Jen at mommablogsalot 87. Judy 88. Amanda @ The Family News! 89. Aahcoffee 90. Tree Climbing Mom 91. AmyG 92. April 93. Jenny (marathon labors) 94. Pamela 95. Steff 96. Mandi 97. Amy @ Tiny Blessings (preemies) 98. White Trash Mama 99. katherine 100. Jen 101. bubbles 102. Wifeof1Momof4 103. Melody 104. Jen@OurDailyBigTop 105. Nicole @ HeresTheDiehl 106. Jenn 107. Carrie (Fast Labor) 108. Little Missus Sunshine 109. The White House 110. Missy @ It\'s Almost Naptime 111. Leanne - SeetheWoods 112. Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You 113. Meg 114. Elizabeth 115. Christrine @ Lily of the Valley 116. Robyn (3GirlsMom) 117. Mother Hen 118. Katydid and Kid 119. Laurie 120. Michelle@Life with Three 121. Trisha@Sweet \'N\' Sassy Girls 122. dawntrenee 123. John Deere Mom 124. Bridgette (big news) 125. ET @ Titus2:3-5

126. The Stiletto Mom 127. Linda (My Trendy Tykes) 128. Lindsey 129. kris 130. Mommy, the Human Napkin 131. EmilyV @ Random Ramblings 132. Shauna@Shaunarumbling 133. PsychMamma 134. Christa @ No End in Site 135. April B 136. Emma 137. Martha 138. KnappKnotes (2 homebirths) 139. He Gives Me Grace(Nicole 140. Jamie in Rose Cottage 141. Crafty Pumpkin (2 plus twins!) 142. Angela @ Breastfeeding 1-2-3 143. Erica 144. Karlene (Inksplasher) 145. Centimental One 146. Jill 147. Beth 148. Hannah 149. Whitney @ Baby Tunnel Exodus 150. Marin @ Frugonomics 101 151. Dana @ School For Us 152. Bree 153. Christa -- homebirth / waterbirth / preemie 154. Trina@FrugalDrMom 155. Crystal (pioneer birth) 156. Jennie C. (Far Beyond Pearls) 157. Lindsay 158. Susan(GermanBirth) 159. Military Wife 160. Kim 161. Sherri 162. Kathy 163. Jacy 164. Joan 165. Stephanie F 166. Christine @ Live to Learn 167. Shannonannon 168. Heidi (Gestational Diabetes) 169. Dawn\'s Daily Life 170. Mamikaze 171. Missy 172. Letisha 173. Angie @ Many Little Blessings 174. He & Me 3 175. FrugalFelicia @ The Savy Shopper 176. mamatutwo 177. Christi@BlahBlahBlog 178. Jennifer 179. Kathy 180. GaPeachInCO 181. Susan (ByGrace) 182. Room for Grace-1,296 hour labor 183. Therese 184. Cindy @ The Happy Ones 185. Keri @ christianfrog 186. Michelle B. (Our Full House) 187. Diva Ma @ Mommy Fabulous 188. Erin 189. Jenny @ A Latte Talk 190. cara 191. Half Pint Pixie 192. Marijke 193. Wade\'s World 194. Lorri @ The Mac and Cheese Chronicles 195. Tami @ Muddlin Thru Motherhood (watermelon stains, help??) 196. Half Step from Crazy (baby mixup!) 197. Tami @ Muddlin Thru Motherhood 198. Ritsumei 199. Mommy Brain 200. BecauseImTheMommy 201. MamaOlive 202. Q 203. simply anonymom 204. Stef @ LaytonFamily4 205. Delilah 206. Richelle @ Our "Wright"-ing Pad 207. heather @ me in the madness 208. Ashley 209. Ginny 210. Lele (home) 211. Cathy | Mommy Motivation 212. Cat 213. Whats Cook\'n In Junk 214. Stephanie 215. ML 216. Reese@crayononthecathedral 217. Jennifer A 218. Michele (epidural issues) 219. Brynna 220. juliana 221. Karen (Pediascribe) 222. Misty 223. anna at abdpbt 224. Mel 225. Ashley 226. fAiThFuL cHiCk 227. kisatrtle 228. Sandra (BORN IN CAR!!) 229. BusyMom 230. Maren 231. Stephanie 232. Tabitha 233. Andrea 234. Lisa\'s 6 girls, born in car, kitchen, shower... you name it 235. Jana 236. Raising Oaks of Righteousness - twins! 237. Leopard Spots 238. Katrina (Callapidder Days) 239. Kim 240. Kirsty @ Momedy 241. Melessa 242. Jessica @Musings of a Homeschooling Mom 243. April@ LittleAprilBigWorld 244. Kelli 245. Cindy @ Maternal Maddness 246. vicky 247. Jess @ NBP 248. Mel @ A Box of Chocolates 249. Corinne

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Comments

[April]

Thank you! That was fun!

[Leslie@My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving]

Cool meme for labor day!

[HeresTheDiehl]

I love this, and will definitely play along!

[Mari Taylor]

This was fun. I loved your recollections. They made me laugh. Heading out to read everyone else's stories.

[We are THAT family]

The hardest labor I've ever done... half-dressed, half-starved, half-crazed and completely happy!

[Lora Lynn]

Since I'm on bed rest for pre-term labor, I'm gonna pass on this one. I'm trying NOT to think about labor right now. But I laughed out loud at your meme and some of the others. So much fun!

[Jennifer]

Fun Labor Day blog! Stay put, Lora Lynn. Been there, done that - not fun!

Thanks for the laughs, Shannon!

[forgetfulone]

One labor, two births, ten hours, no C-section. Nuff said, huh? LOL This was fun to read!

[Inna]

That was great! My husband agrees with the Alien bit.

[Tracy]

Thanks for the fun meme - better than refreshing Gustav for the millionth time today!

[Rachel]

I enjoyed this - thanks.

[Smockity Frocks]

Great fun remembering all that!

[The Wooden Porch]

Cute meme! I'm with you on the drugs. The drugs didn't work for #2. That was AWFUL! They worked for #1 and #3 though.

[Debbie]

Fun meme! Plus you gave me an excuse to dig through the files of baby pictures, and who doesn't get teary-eyed at those?!?!

[noochymama]

cute post! :)

[Joy]

SO MUCH FUN!

[Kellyn]

Such a great idea! Thanks

[suburbancorrespondent]

Shannon, there's no search window on your blog, and I am looking for the post where you show us how you made the burp cloths. Can you tell me where it is?

[Elizabeth]

Such a fun idea for labor day. I needed a good blog idea:)

[Teble]

I'm so glad I only had to do that twice. I can't imagine going through it four whole times. ARGH. I was so NOT GOOD at being pregnant.

[Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates]

What a fun idea! I love hearing other labor stories. What's amazing is how different they all are.

[Amber (BGH)]

Oh, that was so fun. Thanks!! I love your comments about #3. Much like my number three. :) Speed racer, making an entrance, taking on the world. :)

[Cibbit]

Fun! Labor is a rite of passage. I used to avoid these "war" stories before I had my son. They scared me to death. Now I relish telling about my red badge of courage.

[Dana]

I really liked this one...and I always love talking about my labors.

[Jenny]

Fun meme. I played along.

[tiffany Flamm]

Thanks for such a fun way to remember our Labor :)

[Chrissi]

that was hysterical and fun thanks!

[Melissa K]

Did it for my five. I hadn't done that particular meme since I had my last so it was different than the other times I have done it.

[LeeAnn]

New take on Labor Day!

[Stonefox]

Fun! Since all my births happened overseas, this was fun to share with my readers!

[Adventures In Babywearing]

Oh, you know this is all that's on my mind lately- due within a couple weeks! And also the gulf coast... half of my family has already evacuated and I just heard that the other half doesn't want to budge. Praying for them as they are right there in Louisiana where it's headed.

Steph

[Mandy]

This was a fun trip down memory lane. Thanks!

[canadacole]

What a great way to celebrate Labour Day! So much fun tripping down memory lane! Thanks Shannon!

[Ginger]

Great meme. I guess I can't participate since I don't have a URL, but I wanted to say that my first was a c-section and then I had three successful VBACS. I hear that not many doctors out there will let you try that nowadays, but I just wanted to let everyone know that it is possible in many circumstances. If it matters to you, as it did to me, you can fight for that right.

[Lynne - The Clarkin Family]

Great idea!

[Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba)]

Even though I'm not a mom, I always enjoy reading stories like this one. I'll go around and visit some of the others, too. :)

[Shannon (Muzbee Crazy)]

Shannon, this was super fun! I loved the walk down memory lane. Thank you so much for doing this. Happy Labor Day!

[Renee]

My girl was actually born on Labor Day, so that made this extra fun :)

Thanks!

Renee @ rightfootforward.wordpress.com

[Brittany]

Great Idea for today!

[Kari]

What a SUPER FUN meme!!! Thanks for sharing...loved your stories!! :)

[Shelly W.]

What fun! Thanks! I'm going to send the link to my friend who is due any minute now.

[Erin]

Thanks for a fun Labor Day meme!

[CanCan (Mom Most Traveled)]

Oops, sorry mine says "Longest PLane Trip Ever". Actually it has nothing at all to do with planes, that is left over from when I signed the linky on We Are That Family!

[Julie]

Nice walk down memory lane.... :)

[Tree Climbing Adventures]

Thanks so much! That was a lot more fun than labor:)

[AmyG]

I love this little idea! Thank you!

[Mandi]

Oh I loved this!! I LOVE talking about my labors and I love reading about others experiences! I want to be a midwife so it's all fascinating and miraculous to me :-)

[katherine]

what a fun meme! thanks for posting it!

[bubbles]

what fun

[Jai@wifeof1momof4]

Thanks, that was fun walking down Labor memory lane.

[Jai@wifeof1momof4]

That was fun!

[Jen@OurDailyBigTop]

thanks for the fun meme.

[gillie]

What a fun meme for Labor Day! I myself have experienced many labors from the perspective of the baby nurse, but none of my own. My son was born to his birthmother (who is my hero!) and my husband and I were driving as fast as we safely could in order to meet him. Apparently she tried to raise herself up to see his head and he plopped out. Lots of rushing around followed and the doc finally showed up after he was out. At any rate, every birth and child is a miracle. I'm so lucky to be my son's mom- and to know his birthmom.

[Little Missus Sunshine]

Great idea for Labor Day!

[tyne White]

Fun Meme! Thanks and Happy Labor Day!

[Leanne]

Thanks for hosting this. It's nice to post about something a bit different.

[momto3cubs]

LOL I recently found and started enjoying your blog, and passed an award for you.

We're heading to the beach for the afternoon, but to answer your questions...

Boy #1, water broke, labor induced the next day, born 21 hours after water broke, no drugs.

Boy #2, in labor for 18 hours, water didn't break until delivery, no drugs.

Boy #3, in labor for 22 hours, water didn't break until delivery, no drugs.

All born at hospital by doctor. No midwife available then, but there is now.

Fun times ;)

[ET @ Titus2:3-5]

Yay! I LOVE birthy stories. Wrote mine, now I'll be clicking all over bloggy-land to read everyone else's. :)

[Family Oliver]

Thanks for the cool Labor Day meme. I really enjoy your blog.

[Kristin Stratos]

I played and thanks for prayers, I'm on the Gulf Coast of TX and it's fine here for now!
kris

[Mommy, the Human Napkin]

I can't believe I did the whole meme and just now realized it's Labor Day.

[April B]

Thanks for the fun game! It always fun to share birth stories.

[Jennifer D]

I usually don't do meme's, but that one was fun! Thanks!

Jennifer D

[jamie in rose cottage]

thanks for a fun meme. happy labor day to all you moms out there!

[Angela]

Thanks! It was fun to sum up how I went from hospital birth to home birth and why!

[Cheri]

Cute meme for this holiday.

[Beth]

what a good idea for a meme, I will play along!

[Jill]

Very Fun!! I really do think of MY Labors on Labor Day!!

Jill

[Hannah]

Fun Labor Day post! And it's definitely the topic on my mind since I'm 39 weeks today!

[Whitney]

Thanks, this was a fun trip down labor lane! I really like your blog, thanks for an easy introduction to meme's this was my first one. Blessings, Whitney

[Bree]

GREAT post! Loved it...your stories were fabulous. Now, check mine out. Hahahaha!

[carol]

16 hours with baby #1. The other 3 are very fortunate I have such a bad memory.

[Kim]

What a good way to remember the best labor I've ever had!

[Jacy]

What a great idea!! I posted my link. I'm # 162. So fun :o)

[Christine @ Live to Learn]

Loved this idea!

[shannon martinez]

meme meme ---thanks for the fun

[Missy]

Thanks for the great idea!!!

[Letisha]

Cool. What fun! I especially love this since I had a labor day weekend baby!

[april]

thanks for the giggles, especially when I remembered the look on the EMT's face for my #3

[Christi]

What fun! Thanks!

[mamatutwo]

Great meme! I added weight to mine...because it's so important!

[Dena]

This was my first meme and first Mr. Linky. Couldn't resist, thanks!

[Therese]

Great post! Loved reading it!!!

[Erin]

What a fun idea for labor day!

[Diva Ma]

Not that's a TRUE Labor Day! It's always great celebrating under the influence with your legs in the air!

[Half Pint Pixie]

Happy Labor Day! Here's mine all the way from Ireland where it's not Labor Day :)

[Marijke]

so long ago and yet it seems like yesterday.

Marijke
www.wombwithin.com
www.helpmyhurt.com

[Tami]

Sorry about the first time. Didn't know my works for me wednesday post comment was still there. Anyway, it is fun to read other people's labor stuff.

[BecauseImTheMommy]

This was a lot of fun. Remembering the birth of our children. Especially when my oldest turns 9 next Tuesday. UGH!

[Q]

Fun fun fun!

[Q]

Fun, fun, fun!

[Kama]

Wow, lots of great advice here. My baby is due in 4 weeks!!! I don't know how I'm going to make it through. :)

[simply anonyMOM]

Very fun.

[Richelle]

Fun!

[Cathy < Mommy Motivation]

I really enjoyed that! I rarely think back to this as it isn't my fondest memory. I never thought of looking at it from hind's site and all the crazy things I did and said! I had fun with this. And I also now know - No more for me! Ever! :)

thanks,
Cathy

[Cathy]

Left a link...first time to do this so I hope it came out right!

Fun theme!

[Debi]

Wow! Wonderful Idea!! Thank you for walking us down memory lane!! For me it has been a couple of lifetimes!!!

Hope you Labor day was a great one! You helped to make mine!!

http://whatscookninjunk.blogspot.com

[Merry Lynn]

Fun stuff

[Karen (Pediascribe)]

Awesome Meme!!!!

[Ashley]

How fun! What is it about birth stories that's just irresistable?!