Birth story haikus
I am limited to one-hand typing while holding the new baby, so how about if you all do all the work for this post? How about this: Let’s do birth story haikus!
I love hearing birth stories, but they’re always so long — I don’t think I’ve ever been able to capture one of mine in less than 2,000 words. I thought it might be fun to put them in haiku form (if you need a refresher, it’s a 5-7-5 syllable scheme). Here are two of mine:
BABY #1:
Natural childbirth:
this is gonna be great, right?
Doctor Bradley lies.—-
BABY #5:
O epidural,
You have failed me once again.
Uh-oh, time to push.
What’s your birth story haiku? Feel free to do it for one, some or all of your births. Thanks in advance for my amusement for the afternoon.
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My 5th birth:
Midwife en route now;
will she make it here on time?
Oh cr@p. Big old head.
Perpetually Pregnant Papist recently posted..You know you have a large family when…
I don’t know how poetic they are, but they are accurate and the correct number of syllables:
#1
They broke my water,
Leading to IV pain meds.
Should have used midwife!
#2
Peaceful labor start.
Panic attack, no stitches.
Thank God for midwife!!
#3
Tried all-fours pushing,
Results traumatized husband.
Third sweet baby girl.
#4
A big midnight POP!
My sunny-side-up baby
With lots of dark hair.
I’m not very good at these, but hope you enjoy!
Baby #1:
Born early this girl’s
Rod Stewart rock star hair made
Everyone smile
Baby #2:
Born early this boy’s
Bright red hair and cute Irish face
Melted our hearts fast
Baby #3:
No epidural
She came out in one push
Couldn’t believe it
Elizabeth recently posted..38 years
I love these!
Ten days overdue –
You still take your own sweet time,
but you were worth it!
After eighteen hours
Pushing felt like I might die.
You liked where you were.
Needles everywhere
some places I’d rather not
Epidurals suck.
Even afterwards
they held you up as if jewels
were worth less than you!
Hospital midwife
No meds, freedom of movement
Still pushed on my back
Ha. This is such a Catholic thing to do
Seeing as I’m not married and only just barely out of high school, I don’t think I can really contribute too much on this one. However, here’s my take on the day my baby brother was born:
I used to be spoiled
Daddy’s little princess girl
Now: competition
Michelle recently posted..Come, Spirit of Generosity!
Early little girl
One and a half pound blessing
Eight years pass- perfect…
Christine recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday- You know you’re addicted to Hellomornings when…
Baby #7
I am huge and late
most peaceful home birth yet, yeah!
Eleven plus pounds!
Baby #4
Are these contractions?
No way this can be labor…
Oh no! Time to push!
Fun! Here’s my link: http://martinfamilymoments.blogspot.com/2011/07/birth-story-haikus.html
All 6…
The pain engulfs me;
The joy of Christ and Cross born.
Sacrifice gives life.
Am I an Eight yet?
Forty-seven hours in
NO epidural!
Kaitlin @ More Like Mary recently posted..Happy Father’s Day
You still amaze me! Love these haikus!!
Lauren recently posted..Happy 4th of July!
Never done this before, but I’m loving the submissions!
#1
Long and slow all day
Lots of pushing, 2 stitches
Perfect baby girl
#2
Grumpy and achey
This can’t be labor yet, right?
Whoa! That was FAST!
#3
Owe my back, high stress.
Something’s wrong, baby is stuck.
Thank God, all OK.
#4
Breathing, walking. Peace.
Still a way’s to go? Nope.
Baby’s here. Best birth.
You can read the 2000 word versions over at my blog.
Young Mom recently posted..Saturday Evening Post #16
#1
Wine relaxes me
But the pain taxes me…more
Labor reveals all
the first:
Heart rate is dropping!
Ack! How many people for
one emergen-C?
the second:
I would’ve V-BAC’d
but . . . forty weeks and not close?
Just cut this girl out.
the third:
Scheduled C from go.
Planning’s nice when hospitals are
two hours away
the fourth:
I have this thing down
but it’s harder ten years on
Oh . . . I have a boy!
#1
Husband out of town
Students turning papers in
Didn’t plan for this
#2
Due date Thanksgiving
But wait it’s not Halloween
Once more unprepared
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I knew you’re respond! Love it!!! Perfectly captured!
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#1
ow this really hurts
can I have some drugs puh-lease?!
Too late, you say? Aughh!
#2
I’m going drug free, man!
give me an epidural!!!
I can’t feel my legs!
#3
water birth baby!
oh gross! He pooped in the pool!
get on the table!
Baby one
9 pound breech baby
No version for tiny mom
Napped before section
Baby two
Very Scared husband
No vbac for this mommy
So I napped again
#1
want to nap not push
CNM says get to work
welcome sugar pie!
#2
home, rebuilt after storm
water brings peace to labor
baby boy slips out
oh water birth? I always dreamed of that. gotta love the word peace in a labor story!
jeni recently posted..Cardboard Pizza and a Workout
it helped that my midwife was discerning a calling to become a third order Franciscan…she radiated peace.
Just reading this comment makes me smile, and relax. How amazing!
Dianna recently posted..June Wrap-Up: Makes My Monday
#1
Heart rate drops again
Not what I planned but perfect
baby boy, my love.
#2
Section in morning
Why can’t I sleep, I feel sick
Oh duh, it’s labor.
baby #1
10 c on admit
made natural birth easy.
only had to push.
baby #2
Dilated seven
but no labor. broke water
then babe in two hours
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Baby #4
Hiding in bathroom
Don’t want nurse bossing me around
I hate hospitals
Choosing to offer pain
contracting prayers for my family
Lord bring them to you
Baby boy #1:
Macrosomia?
Induction no go. Section!
Saved from twice tight cord.
Baby boy #2:
Opted for section.
Pain-free calm delivery.
Good recovery.
Okay, this was MUCH more fun in the retelling.
:: Baby Number 1 ::
Assumption Day Birth
It’s okay if I miss Mass?
Friend says, “Go, you fool!”
Nurses yell, “Bear down!”
Newbie thinks, “Don’t want to poop!”
Babe stays where he is.
E-pi-si-o-to
Me! Me! Me! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! He
Arrives. So worth it.
:: Baby Number 2 ::
A midwife this time.
Talks nonstop, annoys my spouse.
Another boy! Hooray!
:: Baby Number 3 ::
Water broke, then nothing.
“Pitocin will help,” they cooed.
Man. That HURT! A girl.
:: Baby Number 4 ::
Contractions all day.
To the clinic to be checked.
Go! Hospital! Now!
It’s a struggle.
Push! Eyes blur! The Ring of Fire!
One more girl. Hooray!
:: Baby Number 5 ::
Same place, same doctor.
Husband’s bored! He dozes off.
Wakes for baby. Girl!
:: Baby Number 6 ::
Lost four babies. Sob.
Prayed, “Please God! One last keeper.”
Boy. Big LOVE. The end.
Margaret in Minnesota recently posted..Home
I have to say, I loved yours. You made me LOL for real!
jeni recently posted..Cardboard Pizza and a Workout
This thread had my husband and me laughing aloud. It’s perfect — birth stories are interesting but can go on so, so long.
Of course I had to take a whack at it.
Baby #1
Married for nine months.
First labor’s always long, right?
Four and a half hours!
Baby #2
This one will be fast!
Oops, sunny-side-up baby.
Twelve hours and section.
Baby #3
All set for VBAC
Midwife feels baby’s bottom
Breech! Section again.
Baby #4
Scheduled c-section
Peaceful, joking with doctors.
Three happy siblings.
Baby #1
Two hours pushing.
Sigh, episiotomy.
What’s that on her neck?
Baby #2
Water breaks. I peed??
No, let’s go to hospital.
Dr. says induce.
Baby #3
Epidural doc
went home and won’t come back. Jerk.
Narcotic no help.
Baby #4
Bible and birth ball.
Divine mercy chaplet soothes.
This is more like it.
Still waiting for him
Our precious bundle of joy
Any day now *sigh*
Maybe I’ll have another haiku for you in a few days
Betsy recently posted..7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 21)
Baby #1
Go to the bathroom.
Nurse comes running when I scream.
NOT poop! That’s a head!
Baby #2
This one’s a bit stuck.
Tiny nurse climbs up on bed.
Tummy pushes. BOY!
Baby #3
Troubled pregnancy.
Will our baby be alright?
Born without a hitch!
Baby #4
This one’s head is huge.
Let’s induce or he’ll be stuck.
It was big alright!
Hey, that was fun! I so understand how you feel about natural childbirth. I had to do it, because there are no hospitals in our area that give epidurals. While they all ended up fine, and I did feel kind of proud of myself for enduring, I always dreamed of epidurals during the last month of pregnancy!
Sue recently posted..Gathered at the River
haha I was thinking, where in the world does she live without epidurals! Then I clicked on you, and went, oh I follow her! Blog world is small.
jeni recently posted..Cardboard Pizza and a Workout
It is small, indeed. Thanks for following, Jeni!
Sue recently posted..Birth Story Haikus
Such a great idea for a post! Loved reading these. I am yet to write up my birth story so this is the inspiration I needed
Meditation prep
leads to hypnobirth
through gentle water
Christie @ Poppy Seed Baby recently posted..It’s the little things…
#1
Water breaks, labor
slows. Pitocin? No, she’s breech!
Oh great! C-section.
C-section. Arms stretched,
I’m on the cross. Panic, pain
don’t suffer in vain.
#2
Water breaks. Should I
go? Slow progress. VBAC Fail.
C-section again.
#3
Even with a planned
c-section, there is plenty
pain to offer up.
#4
Four days before plan
contractions coming too fast
He chose the right surgeon
MelanieB recently posted..Independence Day in Photos
My St. Nicholas:
Christmas lights on tree
Whose idea was this?
This boy’s a big’un!
Baby #1
“If I lost that much
blood,” my husband said later,
“I’d be dead right now.”
Baby #2
Induction was slow.
Baby took her own sweet time,
stubborn from the start.
Baby #3
Pitocin and the
epidural fought for me.
Pitocin won. Ooooof.
Baby #4
A natural breech birth
is like a small victory.
My baby trophy.
Almost time for first!
Worried, excited, anxious…
Will I have success?
I can’t do it without at least one line of explanation tailing each terrible poem, apparently — so forgive me. But here goes:
Quickest Birth Story Version EVER for Baby 1
Three Day labor sucks
My baby girl had no pulse
open heart success!!!
Interrupted Aortic Arch won’t fit anywhere — 8 syllables
Baby 2
Novena answered
Labor so smooth, all in doubt
We named her Mary!!
yeh my labor was so easy, no one even believed I was almost at the pushing stage — not the OB, doula, DH, triage… but smooth it was
Little purple boy.
Kodak Lab color corrected.
Perfect pink pictures.
<3
jeni recently posted..Cardboard Pizza and a Workout
Birth #1-
Loved this!! It really is a great mental exercise as well!
Birth #1-
Bad med reaction
Started shaking all over
No more meds for me
Birth #2-
Non-med birth’s the goal
Squatted to push baby out
Doc almost missed birth!
Karianna @ Caffeinated Catholic Mama recently posted..Family Food Fridays- The July Meal Plan
Sorry had some computer issues, but the haikus are solid… just not my headings!
Karianna recently posted..Family Food Fridays- The July Meal Plan
#1
30 Hours Labor
Emergency C-Section
Crazy Baby Boy
#2
Scheduled C-Section
So much easier with rest
Nursing still sucks, though
#3
What? I just did this
Sixteen months ago, but it
seems like yesterday
#4
Who knows, number four?
Not due until October
I am praying, hard
No contractions. Ever.
The OB says “induction”.
Well, that didn’t work.
Homebirth failed… Sectioned!
Twelve days hostage in NICU.
Good thing he’s so cute.
I love this idea! It was so much fun to read all the other entries! It’s been a while since I’ve written a haiku, but here goes…
Baby #1:
Late night water broke
hospital, pitocin, yuck!
perfect baby boy!
Baby #2:
Offered labor up
all 26 hours
perfect and natural
Baby #3:
planning a home birth
previa meant section
long days in NICU
Baby #4:
natural v-bac
long labor- fast recover
a sweet baby girl!
Katie @ Wellness Mama recently posted..One Pan Spaghetti (Grain Free!)
Never did this before. Interesting!
#1
Is this really labor?
14 hours later?
I have to have a c-section?!
#2
Pain coming fast
4 hours passed
what do you mean it’s too late for drugs?!
#3
Don’t send me home again!
You can send me home but I’ll be waiting in your cafeteria.
yikes, a 9lb 11oz baby!
#4
Baby very stuck
epidural failed
vacuum, forceps, vacuum and forceps again…
Beautiful baby girl!
Becky recently posted..Fourth of July-day 1
Your #3 made me smile
They talked about ending me home but I lived just far enough to stay….
It’s one am here so I hope I’m counting syllables correctly.
#1
Midnight contractions
Wild ride to the hospital
Baby came so quick
#2
Friday morning start
TV and card playing
After lunch she’s here
#3
Foster Adoption
Seventeen months of labor
Joy to finalize
Becky D. recently posted..Quick Takes Homeschooling 2.0
I LOVE this #3!!
1st baby:
Back pain, like cramping.
Constant, no “off” time. Good thing
doc said “come on in!”
2nd baby:
Ten pounds ten point five
ounces. Epidural turned
off at the end. OW.
lousy haiku, but anything to entertain a nursing mama, looking for community in the glow of the computer. Been there. Kim Possible was a favorite at such moments but alas she is off the air. Praying for you and your family, and still grateful for yours! (I owe you an update and will try to remember to send it. Because yep, you’ve had plenty of time to wonder about me, I’m sure. But again–anything for the overnight drive entertainment factor.)
MemeGRL recently posted..MPM–There’s Gonna Be Fireworks
First
Wimpy Burger starts
17 hours’ labour
Ventouse delivered
Second
Waters broke, threw up
Socks off hopped in pool so soon
Peaceful birth at home
Third
Contractions in bed
Get in pool for pain relief
Welcome water babe.
Fourth
Is this false labour?
Pool not full, two steps to bath
Call midwife, he’s out!
Elisa | blissfulE recently posted..trains converging
4 of 6 sections
“I’m really in pain, please stop!”
Baby pees on Dad
These. Are. Hilarious!
I attest to #1. So true, for me.
Here’s my haiku for baby #2, my easiest delivery (as you can probably guess):
They broke my water.
Two to Ten in Five??
Congrats! It’s a Girl!
Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy recently posted..The Incident at the Pool Last Friday
#1
Waiting for sunset
Floating up in the water
His head in the caul
#2
Cherry pitting day.
Clary sage: where can I poop?
No stopping her now!
No stretch marks or pain
But the wait was a bit long
Adopted blessings
These are fabulous! Trying to narrow down all the memories and details into a couple of bright moments was a great exercise!
#1
Natural labor
One day before scheduled C
She was just ready!
#2
“You aren’t in labor.”
Oh yes I am – time to push!
Wow! That’s a BABY!
(The last line, I actually yelled just as I delivered her – the whole LD staff cracked up, but I was just so overcome with awe and joy at the experience!!)
#3 (due in October)
Three more months to go
Baby is restless, kicking.
Not yet, little one!
Expecting child #1 in September!
Natural childbirth
Is my goal, but I expect
The unexpected
On the other hand:
My mom pushed out five
Grandma, seven. Sister, three
Are my genes lucky?
Hi Jennifer- To give you an update
This doesn’t fit into a haiku:
Saturday July 9, 2011 was 30 weeks and 1 day. Both my husband and my OB were outside of the country.
I went into preterm labor. The baby was breech so with the company of Mary and the Rosary I went into emergency c-section (they discovered I had placental abruption) and Thomas Odell Lamb was born at 11:07 at 3lbs. 5oz. and 16 inches long. I guess the unexpected did happen but Praise God for a happy baby boy who is doing very well at the NICU
Congratulations, Johanna! I’ll keep your baby in my prayers. So glad to hear he’s doing well!
Baby#1:
Preemie Labour watch
Nurse thinks not yet – but I know
Push time nearly here
Incubator stay
NG tubes and bili lights
Little baby girl
#2
Midnight labour dash
Epidural man asleep
10 pound boy – yee-ow
#3
Induction easy
Epidural is the best
This third time’s the charm
#1
“crisis pregnancy”
20 year old with baby
life changing – praise God!
#2
24, married
water breaks 4 weeks early
it’s a girl, pure joy!
#3
another so close
normal, calm, home, tandem nurse
big brother cuts cord!
#4
4 times and no drugs
only home will do again
true birthday party!
#1
26 hours in labor
Then surprise! It’s a redhead!
I am so hungry
#4
Three weeks overdue
Baby refuses to come
Chris looks cute in scrubs
#6
C-section again
Where are my abdominals?
Shredded in my gut.
On-call doc grumpy
Pitocin just makes it hurt
I cave — please, yes, drugs.
Extra fast labor
Almost born on highway thus
No pain meds for you.
If my labor nurse
Says “atta girl” one more time…
Phew, baby is here!
Ten days overdue
Cydotec brings baby FAST
Can’t sit down for weeks!
#1
10 weeks, no growth, pray,
dark night, pain and despair, but
you fixed my body
#2
Forty-two weeks, wow!
comfy mommy, you won’t move,
they broke my water
sunny side up
back labor, 4-hours pushing
Thank God for Bradley
#3
3am bleeding
prayers and tears waiting for news
bed rest, she’ll be fine
2 days later
c-section 6 weeks early
strong girl in NICU
almost lost mommy,
28 days in NICU
all home and cuddling
4 babies at once
Lots of doctors and nurses
So much for normal!
Here comes the surprise
Who would have thought another
A singleton girl
Tina recently posted..Summer Cold
I am “patiently” awaiting the arrival of my first child. My doctor says she could come today or in three weeks. Due date July 24th.
Seven months puking
Waiting patiently right now
Epidural, please
Constance recently posted..Impatience is NOT a Virtue
#10
induction again
pain during the movie. gas?
baby chose a birthday.
Blood clot in my foot
No to abortion.
Now I’ve 3 grandsons. Another one coming.
My son was the only child I was ever to carry to term, i had a tipped uterus. Had I succumbed to fear, he’d not have been born and neither would my grandsons and the new baby who’ll be born in late-December-early-January. Neither would i have met the wonderful woman who would be my daughter-in-law.
NICU’s just a place
We send all our babies through
Kind of like Customs.
Dorian Speed recently posted..I think my smartphone is making me dumber
One ANXIOUS Momma
Induction pre-eclampsia
Perfect baby boy
5th child, first home birth
Labor like falling on sharp stones.
Thanksgiving, thankful!
Baby C was born 12:35 am on Thanksgiving morning. 3rd natural labor, 1st homebirth, by far longest, hardest labor. Maybe b/c I’m 40?
#1
Just moved, jerk doctor,
Hospital regulations.
Lovely baby boy.
#2
Just moved, midwives now.
So Jacuzzi tub, walking.
Lovely baby boy.
#3
Midwives say, “Walk more”,
order pizza. Their food comes.
Boy comes now! Cold food.
#4
Labor stops and starts
for four weeks. Finally! But,
“Breathe now, girl”. She does.
#5
Midwives say, “Go home,
Walk. Come back later.” Instead,
boy born in wheelchair.
#6
Easy birth. Fast birth.
Midwife completes paperwork,
catches baby girl.
I have to give it a go!
You made me a mom.
Such a long wait but you were
worth the whole journey.
Three a.m. cab ride
In Chicago winter…whew!
Made it to E.R.!
Third boy, sweet treasure.
You stole a piece of my heart,
and you still have it.
“Christmas baby” here
at Halloween! My best
trick AND treat ever.
I cannot recall
the trauma of birth at all.
God is merciful.
Love these, Jen! So funny.
Btw, I’m lying, of course. I recall every horrific thing, but the merciful God part is true.
Okay, I’m going to try my hand at this one:
Baby #1
Huge parade balloon
Gave birth to a pea-size boy
Five weeks too early.
Baby #2
Water broke, two a.m.
Contractions are three minutes.
The nurse says, “Don’t sneeze.”
Baby #3
Doc broke my water
My little girl couldn’t wait
Doc nearly missed her
Baby #4
Laboring for two weeks
Weak contractions, stubborn boy
He’s now my climber.
#1:
Just thirty four weeks
Breech, C-section, hemorrhage
Yep, still a handful!
#2:
V-day dinner date
Oh no! Did my water break?
Out in hour and half
#3:
They didn’t believe me
When I said my babes come quick
Almost had no doc!
Caroline Tobin recently posted..Father’s Day Marketing Mania
giving birth at home
lots of loud grunting
perfect baby boy
Had seven babies
All of them arrived in haste
Were so slippery
I write long stories
about very short labours
haikus are better
Practicing Mammal recently posted..Fourth of July
#1
Water breaks early
No contractions, must induce
Drug free labor – ugh!
#2
Fast labor again
Screaming midwife jumps on bed
Husband faints on floor
#3
Six year hiatus
Calm midwife makes it all good
Drug free birth still sucks
Forty two hours long
My angel took his time
Epidural rocks