Asher Reid, December 8

I was working as a special education teacher and each day from Thanksgiving vacation on, I would pack up at the end of the day, and think, "I might not come back tomorrow."  I left things in perfect order every day for my substitute.  I had extra clothes in my school bag, and as per my Mom, a nurse, I had a blue lap pad in my car for any leaking and water breaking that might occur. I was ready. Every day I came to work, I heard choruses of, "You still here?  Haven't you had that baby yet? That baby looks ready to fall out!!" I was over it.

I had an appointment with the OB on the 7^th, and she said nothing was happening.  I was having lower back pain, but nothing out of the ordinary.  After dinner, it was getting stronger, and really achy.  We called the doctor, and she said that it would be best to go to the hospital because sometimes back labor is hard to notice.  I waddle into the hospital, get all hooked up in triage, and to our disappointment, the nurse sends us home.  Nothing happening, I am not in labor. Go home. I was fuming. It was late, I was tired and uncomfortable, and I had to go to work the next day.

I walked into school and straight into a friend's classroom and told her what had happened.  Then I said, "You get the word out, Do. Not. Ask. Me. About. The. Baby. Today. I've had it!"  I got my schedule together, the busses arrived, and I headed into Mrs. C's 2^nd grade classroom to clean out A.'s desk, a daily, but arduous task.  She was a student who had trichotillomania, a disorder where she pulls her hair out.  She also hoarded things, hence the desk cleaning.  I squatted down to get to work, and felt a warm gush.  My pants were soaked.  I was so confused, and thought, "Did I pee my pants? That would be just frickin' great! Oh! Wait!! I think my water broke! OH MY GOD!!! THE BABY IS COMING!!"  I slowly stand up, tell Mrs. C, I need to talk to her, and walk into the hallway.  She takes one look at me and hugs me, and sends me to the nurse's office.   I dripped the whole way there. With every step, more fluid leaked out.  After a phone call to the OB, my husband, and coaxing from the prinicipal, I was convinced that it was time.