The Ultimate Super Bowl

"Success demands singleness of purpose."
~ Vince Lombardi

Super Bowl Sunday...an unofficial American national holiday.  Even though someone may not be a football fan, millions tune in for the commercials and musical entertainment.  It is the big game that every NFL player works all year to reach, and only a select few make it to.  Personally, I don't have any preference of winners in today's game (my team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs), but I will watch with respect for the work the players put into their preparation.

What does this have to do with my pregnancy and challenges?  I can look at those teams and how they approached their season leading up to the big game.  The take the season one game at a time.  Do they think about the Super Bowl?  Yes...but they also know that without getting through each game individually, they really lose sight of their purpose...to truly be the best team in the NFL.

Again...what does that have to do with my pregnancy?  I have to stop looking ahead so much at the final outcome of having the baby here at the house...I need to focus on each day at a time (right now) keeping Taz inside.  Also, the Super Bowl of pregnancy is NOT bringing the baby home, but the actual delivery.

Preparing for the Super Bowl, they know that they can't just rely on only 1 player.  They train as a TEAM.  The same goes for delivery...with choosing the right coach for yourself, doc, midwife, doula....however you want to create your TEAM.  Mine will consist of Hubby as my coach, mom is my doula, sister is my photographer, dad as back-up photographer, Dr. Francois as my receiver, and I will definitely be THE play-calling quarterback!!  That's right...I WILL BE calling the plays. 

So how does your team train together?  It starts with putting it together and making sure all players understand their roles.  Choosing the right receiver for the type of quarterback mom plans on being.  The coach and quarterback (Mom and Coach) NEED to be on the same page when putting together their playbook...their birth plan....their pre-natal plans....educating themselves on the process overall.  In our case, I'm realizing that my coach has coached a very different-styled quarterback 3 previous times, and though I have never been put in the game myself, I have coached and have trained quarterbacks on "the game".  

Throughout the pregnancy you have your "trainers" to make sure your body is in the best shape to perform, making sure you a fueling your body correctly, and keeping physical shape (with exercise and Chiropractic).  Ha ha ha...this analogy is getting fun.

Ok...back to business.  When you are approaching "Super Bowl" time, the most important team member you need to get in sync with is your coach.  The coach is going to be there for you in those moments when you may not be able to make the decisions needed.  You need to make sure that your coach knows EXACTLY what you want.  There should be a seamless connection between the two of you that will demonstrate a speechless dance through the process.  Discussions of what to pack...when to leave (if going to a hospital or birth center)....when to call the "receiver" (doc, midwife, etc) and rest of the team...etc.

The most successful football teams that I have witnessed are the ones that work together as a team and have amazing communication.  The best deliveries I have witnessed do the same. So, now that I'm "in training" for MY Super Bowl....I plan on each day being a "win" that will take me to the ultimate trophy:  The delivery of my dreams with the ultimate "Lombardi trophy"...a beautiful, healthy baby.