Setting myself a Labour Challenge

Well, I’ve hit the 38 weeks of pregnancy mark which means Little Pickle could decide to make their appearance any time in the next four weeks now… It goes without saying that labour is pretty much constantly on my mind at the moment and I’m doing my best to try and approach it positively. You may have previously read my post on Labour Vs. Marathon and if you have, you’ll know I enjoy a challenge. I know I function well if I’m determined to do something and setting myself a challenge seems to work well for that… so much like completing a marathon is an incredible physical challenge, I decided to set myself a Labour Challenge, something to complete whilst in labour to help me focus on something other than pain and give me something to work towards (apart from having a baby, obviously).

I’m aware this might sound like the most ridiculous thing. Surely birthing our first child is challenge enough? And yes, it definitely will be! But an added challenge might help me stay calm and help me out mentally. So what it is?

My In Labour Challenge: Knit a Baby Hat

Yep. I’m going to try and knit a baby hat. Whilst I’ve been on maternity leave, I’ve fallen in love with knitting, thanks to a lovely little starter knitting kit that my Mum bought me as a gift. It’s relaxing, therapeutic and makes me feel like I’m doing something useful to prepare for Pickle’s arrival. I can’t wait to dress him or her in the little bits I’ve made! Imagine knitting them a little hat in the final hours of waiting for them to arrive, and then being able to place it on their head when they’re here?

This was the first cardigan I knitted – it’s SO tiny! I think it might even be too small…

Now obviously, I’ve not been in labour before. And I have no idea whether this is even feasible. I’m banking on a long early stage of labour that will enable me to sit on my birthing ball at home and whack out those stitches but I suppose you never really know how it’s going to go, and if labour progresses quicker than expected, there may not be time… but I’ll give it a go anyway.

I’ve been warned to be very careful with my knitting needles, which could end up being used as sharp weapons if I start to get a bit abusive to poor LPD.

The first thing I knitted… a tiny little white mitten!

I can’t wait to let you know how I get on! I’m partly imagining a very poorly knitted hat with lots of holes and uneven tension… something that might chart my labour contractions in the same way a seismometer traces earthquakes.

Now the only thing to decide… is what colour hat to knit? Let me know which colour you prefer!

My wool supplies are growing – please help me decide what colour to go for when knitting my baby hat in labour!