The Downstairs Neighbors had a Baby. . . Downstairs

Lynae N.

February 7, 2010 - 7:03 PM

We got new neighbors about a month ago. They are a sweet couple who were about ready to have a baby when they moved in. One day a large black tub appeared on their front porch, a few days later, it disappeared into their house. When I saw this I started to wonder if they were planning on doing a home birth. My curiosities were confirmed and I started to wonder what it would be like to hear the labor process so close. I've never seen a birth and since I am so hungry for a baby myself and I was so fascinated.

I did worry about the noises depending on the timing of the birth. First, there is my daughter. She is 9 and I wasn't sure how much she would be able to hear of the noises or how much I wanted her to hear. I wondered if they would be going through labor through the night, affecting all of our abilities to get a good night's sleep for school the next day. So much to think about.

Well, I ran into this couple two days ago. My daughter was home from school because she wasn't feeling good and I couldn't resist dragging her out of the house for a few minutes when I saw a break in the clouds. The sun was out and I just had to get a taste of that glorious vitamin D. My neighbors were enjoying the sun also and I engaged in a casual conversation about the baby to come, and learned they were waiting to have the baby any day.

I went on with my day. That evening I went on a Mom-Daughter date with Shae while Brian was at a meeting. We all came together and came home to the sounds of what sounded like a dog howling. I was straining my ear to hear more. I tucked my daughter into bed and kept silently listening. I didn't hear much else but I had a hard time sleeping that night because I wanted to hear what was going on so badly!

I did eventually fall asleep and I was unsure if I'd heard right since I didn't hear much. . . I don't know quite what I was expecting but obviously I was expecting more or louder or worse sounding or something. I went on with that next day and at the close of my day of busyness I heard the beautiful sound of a newborn baby's cry as I walked past my neighbors' door. They had their baby. I haven't met him or her yet, but it was neat to know they had a successful birth and that I was able to be so close to it.

I only have one more question now that I know the birth happened. . . what did they do with all of the water from that giant tub they filled? Is it in our yard? I'm not sure I really want to know, I think that might be a little weird to find out I was walking through birthing juice, for lack of a better word, as I went from my door to the car and back. Hmm. . . things to think about.