As a woman planning a homebirth during a season when most people's windows are open, and in a very quiet neighborhood, I'm wondering how much apology/explanation will be necessary when labor rolls around for realsies. Should I buy everyone on the block a nice Starbuck's giftcard to make up for awakening them, possibly in the wee hours of the morning, with the banshee cry that can only be brought on by a crowning baby? Should I hire a landscaper to come and cut the grass when the contractions really start to hurt, thereby muffling the sounds of labor and diverting everyone's ire from me to "that damn lawnmower"? Should I just have the baby and trust that everyone will be cool with this rare and miraculous event, loud though it may be?
Even on a street populated (mostly) with exceptionally cool people, it somehow seems too much to ask.
And yes, I am a writhing blob of hormone-fueled neuroses right now, thank you for asking!
I vote for the lawnmower, especially if it is the wee hours of the morning. :)
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