My son’s birth story starts weeks before he joined us earth side. When I was 33.5 weeks pregnant I went into preterm labor and was put on modified bed rest. Then at 35.5 weeks pregnant I once again went into preterm labor and was put on strict bed rest until I was 37 weeks. There were multiple occasions during this 3 ½ weeks that the OBGYNs (I was transferred to their care at one point because I was so early), midwives, and nurses were convinced our son was coming. One nurse said to me, “you better tell your uterus to calm down” -- I did, so it did.

I’m not sure how, maybe it was the impending weigh-in at my 38 week appointment the next day, but I actually got up the motivation to get to the gym on a Monday morning. I woke up at 6am and was on the elliptical machine mid-workout when my water broke a little before 7. I literally froze mid-stride, completely in shock as I realized what had just happened. I waddle-ran to gather my things and head home and tell Kyle. As I texted him “My water broke” I remember briefly wondering if I was wrong and had actually just peed myself instead. In that case, I thought, I’m about to be really embarrassed.. Luckily for me, it was, in fact, my water and the start of August’s birth day!