Shocks mid pregnancy

I like surprises. Mainly the flowers or presents kind, rather than the horror film shockers. However, all the pregnancy books (and common sense) advise avoiding any major surprises to ensure I keep my heart beat at a normal level and the level of adrenaline in check. Don't want to stress this baby out! So it wasn't great when over the last couple of weeks we have been involved in two potentially disastrous car incidents.

The first was on the drive back from the Lake District after Christmas. We made it half way to Penrith on the A66 doing about 60mph in a line of cars all doing about the same. Then out of nowhere there was a sudden BANG and the whole of our back window smashed and flew out. Mr A who only passed his test a few weeks before was driving and was brilliant, safely getting us to the drive up to a farm where we could pull in. After phone calls to the usual emergency list we were told to drive home again where we would be contacted by the local windscreen team. The drive back was fine and then a sterling effort by Mr A and my dad got a tarpaulin over the car as the wind and rain came in. It all got sorted and after an extra night in Keswick and my mum pulling some favours with the local garage and car park next door we were on our way again.

So I wasn't driving and no one was hurt, but about an hour after the incident I was shaking and really having to fight the need to cry. A very surreal experience!

In contrast tonight I was driving, leaving the M25 to join the M4 when we were the 4th car in a seven car pile up. Thankfully we were unscathed but were the only car not to get hit. I am now a firm believer in stopping distances! Trying to pull out afterwards without driving over a motorway covered in bits of car was no small feat. (Everyone was fine in case you were worried).

On reflection tonight should have been a much more scary incident, however I feel fine. This has made me wonder whether being the driver this time and so more in control of the situation made the difference. If so then I am hoping to apply this to labour by taking control and making my own decisions about pain control. Can you ever really take control of labour?

Either way I think sticking to public transport in the meantime might be a good idea to ensure the baby doesn't come out a gibbering wreck!