@romanigypsyeyes I will be sending good thoughts your way. We are all here for you and your little family!
It’s getting closer! I’m so excited for you.
You’re going to do great, don’t worry about the parenting stuff. Everyone is at least a little terrified!
Just go with what feels right for your family, and you’ll be fine. Any questions and you know where to find us 
Just follow the parenting rulebook and you will be fine. CRAP!! There is no rulebook ?.
Sending good thoughts to you and your family this week. Looking forward to the upcoming news.
A newborn doesn’t need to be parented, it just needs to be loved. And have it’s physical needs met. “Parenting” will come later - just enjoy the fact that you are the one chosen to shower this baby with love!
@abasket . Such wonderful advise!
I know this is all about Romani Jr but had to share my labor story. Water broke, chaos going to hospital. Then I get some drug to dilate or something, then ready and epidural.
Then OB and all the nurses disappear, specifically telling me they will be back in an hour. They had all rushed off to watch ER down the hall ? my husband was very amused. I was not!
Best to you, @romanigypsyeyes ! Your birth experience will be your own and excited for you and what is ahead for your family. Everything will be okay! Looking forward to your good news very soon!
I haven’t posted in awhile, but your thread is one of the few I am actively following.
You and Mr. R. will be amazing parents because you have the thing a baby/child/adolescent/adult kid needs in abundance - LOVE! and a willingness to learn.
I confess that I had only ever held a baby twice in my life before S1 was born and neither of those experiences prepared me for a three week early, 5 1/2 lb. nothing. However, the second they put him in my arms, OH, it was love.
He’ll be 30 this year and my labor story is this. I lost my mucus plugs and had premature labor at 32 weeks, so I was put off work. I went to the hospital where i was supposed to deliver to be monitored and saw that the birthing table I was promised was being used as a coffee table by the doctors and the birthing room was a bathroom. The next day, I switched to a midwifery practice that delivered in a hospital. The practice agreed to accept me because I was due the following month and they were totally booked for the current month. Anyway, I went into labor on the 30th and went to the hospital. I was sent home, which at that time was an apartment in the Village. We went shopping and videotaped it. A woman who looked just like Penny Marshall thought we were making a movie. We then went home, where we watched TV. I saw Witness for the Prosecution and spoke with my best friend, who disclosed her second pregnancy. The following morning, about 11 AM. the hospital called and suggested that we come back. We did but I wasn’t ready yet so they sent us for a walk. 14th Street in those days was very sketchy and I spent some time watching the 3 card monte dealers. It was before cell phones, so about 2 hours later, some poor orderly tracked us down in the street and brought me back. They then told me to walk the hospital hallways, which I did while reciting: “OUT, OUT, damned tot” over and over. Finally, they broke my water and my son was born 3 1/2 hours later, on the 31st! The following day was Desert Shield and my Lamaze group’s hospital tour. Imagine their surprise when they saw me with my baby! It was, from start to finish, 32 hours.
My only D was born just under 15 months later. I went into labor with her just after noon. We were living in Queens at that time but we were delivering at the same hospital. H practically drove over the sidewalks while I screamed out the car windows at the drug dealers in the Village to give me drugs. D was born at 1:03 PM after 3 pushes.
Both deliveries were 100% natural, no drugs.
I am a weakling who fears pain. If I could do this 5 times, you can, too.
Good luck!
Good luck to you and baby Ren! Joining @abasket to say that you should not be afraid to follow your instincts and just give the baby what the baby needs. Babies don’t cry just to annoy their parents… that skill comes later. 
And if Mr. R can’t be present during delivery, trust me, that will not make him a lesser husband or father. You two will do great. Good luck! ?
I hope everything goes well tomorrow, @romanigypsyeyes. Jr. is so fortunate to be coming into the world now with you and your partner as parents.
Maybe save the labor and delivery stories for after all is well with @romanigypsyeyes delivery ( which is very likely to be just fine). Just a thought.
Good luck with the induction tomorrow! Not much longer until you get to hold your baby!
Best of luck @romanigypsyeyes - Ren will be lucky to have you and Mr. R as parents! Here’s to a safe, easy, and quick delivery.
Have a great next few days! I remember not being able to stop looking at my babies. They are so wonderful. Enjoy!
I’m so happy and excited for you. Best wishes for a safe delivery. You got this!
I’m basically completely blocking out any and all labor stuff. My brain just refuses to process that I’m going into labor tomorrow.
So instead I’m packing, painting my nails, watching esports. Even finishing up some work. Anything to keep from envisioning what tomorrow will be like.
Weirdly though the prep for it isn’t making me anxious. Nor is reading stories on here. I think I’m still kind of in denial. I think it’s because I’m so used to go to and staying in hospitals that it won’t REALLY hit me until I’m in full labor.
Current plan is induction tomorrow (3/30) night, wait, c section if no baby by Wednesday 4/1), then home by Friday evening at the latest assuming whatever method goes well.
We’ve also been told that there’s a chance baby (37 weeks) will need some breathing help for a few days but that it’s totally normal and if it happens not to be worried.
Good luck tomorrow, can’t wait to hear all about baby Ren!
Good luck! Can’t wait for the update!
Prayers for an easy and safe delivery for you and Ren