I loved all your descriptions of giving birth. I'll most likely never do it (EDS and childbirth don't mix well, and I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a mother anyway), but it's reassuring to hear it's not too bad for most people, anyway. My sister had a terrible birth with her first, who just didn't want to come out of there - she was induced when she was two weeks late, and it was all downhill from there. But I'm glad to hear that's not the usual experience!

Happy Birthday, Erin.

Much ma to those who need it.

I spent my day trying to give my RSI a rest by sleeping in. Then reluctantly got up. Went to a city commission mtg tonight to urge them to get the city council to approve a community garden (and to reduce some of the bureaucratic crap that killed the first-ever community garden that started here last year). I got drafted (with another woman) into being an advisor to the commission on this. Now I have to find the cheapest place to get soil tests for toxicity. And on Sunday I'm meeting them at the proposed piece of land to see what would need to happen to make it work for us and for neighbors.

I'm happy to do this but it makes me feel weird at the same time because I haven't had the talk with my parents on what our expectations are about me living under their roof. So there's this part of me that thinks I might be moving in a couple months and shouldn't settle down much or take on responsibilities down here.

Thanks, Spidra and Bev, for the birthday wishes.

I had a nice birthday -- massage, and sushi.

Sleep rhythms seem to be on the up all night swing, but I'm not having any problems with actually sleeping, so it's just the switcharound. No big.

Happy birthday, Erin!

Happy belated birthday, Erin!

IME, "elective" frequently means "incorrectly filled out paperwork."

(I was billed for an elective abortion after my miscarriage because it's the same surgical procedure and somebody didn't tick the right box. I was able to sort it out pretty easily by calling the hospital and saying "This is bullshit, you need to look at my chart and invoice my insurance company," but I have *really good* private insurance and was dealing with a *really good* private hospital.)

I'm not gonna say labor isn't painful, but I feel like the way it's been described in this thread makes it sound like something out of a Saw movie.

Sorry! Um, really not my intent.

Loved the childbirth convo, and that's something I've never said before! The more different perspectives and personal experiences I hear about, the broader my knowledge base becomes. My perspective changes the more I learn. So. The more I learn about childbirth, the more fascinating and less scary it becomes, and the more certain I am I never want to do it!

*blueberry* yogurt

blink Really? I - no, don't tell me.

Yay, Jessica!

Baby Girl Jessimoon! Yay!!!!

Speaking of childbirth: Yay Baby Girl, Jessica!