For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 09, 2020

oh, Elizabeth, it WILL happen to you, but many years later

It does!

♪ The circle of life! ♪

Part of being a female who wants to be a mother. The thing is that when you hear about why mothers keep having more children when the childbirth is so painful, and it is because they forget the pain and remember the miracle of birth and a new person in their arms. That is very true. Liz will learn that when she is older.

It’s cute and adorable the way John thinks Elizabeth is actually concerned about her mother.

It’spossible that Liz is scared because Elly gave birth at home and is up and about, Had she given birth to April in a hospital, there’s more than a fair chance Liz wouldn’t have seen her out of bed. When I was 14 my mum gave birth to my little sister, and in those days (1981) babies stayed in a nursery and were brought to the mother for feeding and visits to the family, There was no need for mum (to her disgust) to get out of bed.

The most amazing comment that I have ever heard from a new mother-“I made that!”

Fortunately, that is your choice, women today do not have to become pregnant.

We all are dear.

My daughter is past 30 and ever since high school, she’s sworn never to have a child. So far, she’s kept to her word.

The look on John’s face as he associates his little girl with birth and growing up.

My lack of desire for children had/has nothing to do with fear of/pain during childbirth. It’s not even a negative towards children or even the concept of me having them. I have no intention of marrying- and have yet to find a man who makes me seriously reconsider that intent. And I will NOT be a single mother. All stop. Therefore, no husband, no children. Pain and fear don’t enter the equation. I don’t quite understand the women who make the decision based on those.

My late wife was heart broken because we had to stop at two. I personally would have liked to have had a daughter – a younger version of her.

My grandmother was first of 8. My mother was first of 6. I was the first of 4. The wife and I have 3. Our oldest has 2. There aren’t many big families any more, but I don’t think the pain of childbirth is the determining factor for that.

I am told that a mother forgets all the pain-eventually.

My eldest was present at her younger sister’s birth. Her attitude, 12 years later, is much like Elizabeth’s is now. She doesn’t want children primarily because of the fear of childbirth. She’s 16; I’ve told her she doesn’t need to plan her whole life at this age. If she ever gets in a serious relationship, she’ll need to discuss it with her partner.

I recall watching a video where men wore these contraptions that simulated the contractions of labor. They started at the beginning of labor, which at first “wasn’t too bad” and gradually increase the way labor normally does. They were screaming and crying at the end. Every one of them walked away with a far greater appreciation for what women go through. (That is, without an epidural.)

We had twins and like their mum they have grown up to be brilliant spitfires. They are home from university doing distance learning during the global shutdown. These two are enough. Sometimes more than enough.

The pain of childbirth is not near as bad and long as the pain and suffering of having a teenager!

When our daughter had our grandchild, it was three hours of labor and then there she was, a healthy baby girl. Mom was back to here normal weight in two weeks. Her co workers were jealous.

Carol Burnett answered someone who asked her about childbirth by saying, “Giving birth is like taking your lower lip and forcing it over your head”.

John, Elly, and Michael will have another issue to worry about in due time; Elizabeth having a “period” of being moody a certain time of the month! She will “always” be that way until she is eligible for social security, but at least she can “stay free” of that unpleasantness for at least another couple of years.

Is it still a miracle if it happens every minute everywhere?

Only a mother can experience the true pleasures of childbirth, bearing the pain, of course.

She did with her daughter.

I remember being 8 months pregnant and getting up in the middle of the night in sheer terror of having to give birth soon. I didn’t chicken out! ha ha!!

No really, I did it all natural; no pain meds, no epidural. In labor for 5 hours, pushed for 2 minutes, hurt like hell for weeks after. Peeing was a million times more painful than actual child birth and it went on for weeks. I dreaded having to use the bathroom.

Never did that again. I’m happy with one child.

Happens to all women who give birth. The aches are even worse if you give birth via C-section.