Here are some of the tweets my husband and I posted in labor with our last baby:
- Friends brought dinner and lovely distraction. It's a two rice sock evening. Another bath, ball and relaxation... 11:04 PM August 30, 2008 from web
- Ctx picked WAY up in intensity. But I'm able to sleep 20, 40, 60 minutes. Squeamish? Don't follow link 02:17 AM August 31, 2008 from web
- Midwife has been called. Kevin wants me to call others, give me a ctx or two to make that decision, I hate bothering people! 03:18 AM August 31, 2008 from web
- Baby looks good, we're chatting, contracting and preparing the room with midwife. 04:52 AM August 31, 2008 from web
- My water broke - it's clear! Baby is good. We've called everyone. 06:34 AM August 31, 2008 from web
- Baby is here! Details to follow. 09:22 AM August 31, 2008 from twitterrific
- 10 lbs 2 ounce baby girl! 09:41 AM August 31, 2008 from web
Before labor I wasn't sure whether or not I'd be up for using Twitter or anything else. My previous labor had been fast, but this one was really slow. Twitter was a great way for me to keep in touch with others who wanted to know, but I didn't want them with me. Think of social networking as the modern response to the waiting room in a hospital. You get all the juicy details, maybe more than you bargained for, without disrupting your life. Everyone wins!
Some people choose to use social networking as a way to pass time in labor. They update their blogs, their twitter and facebook feeds to stay busy. It can also be a way to gather information. One couple I know was busy asking questions to try to make some decision while they were in labor. It was neat watching their friends come to the rescue with information. The same holds true for cheering people on in labor. I enjoyed reading the notes and comments back that people would leave us.
