Just thinking....

[stamper]

Feb 3, 2013 11:34:14 GMT -5 Becky said:

Stamper, the forum is most definitely skewed. Like several other people have mentioned, we don't come here and post, "WOW!! You know what!? We went ALL YEAR without an incident or vet bill!!" I have had Sal for 6 years. Yes, stuff has happened. Foot rot one year. Severe teat laceration once, and full blown mastitis this last year. So, I treated the foot rot for 2 weeks. I worked on that laceration for 29 days, and I worked on the mastitis for about 6 weeks all together. So, I have had to "doctor" on her 85 days in the 2190 days I have had her. She has never gone down and required 24/7 care, never had ketosis, and never had milk fever. My heifer, Sarah, I have had her for 912 days. I have not had to do a single thing so far. She calved with no assistance, and stepped into the milking room and was no problem. A little antsy, but as a newly freshened heifer goes, she was/is a dream. It isn't all tragedy and loss, but it sure does happen. Just the last couple weeks I had 2 does kid. One with triplets and the other with quads. The triplets were ALL tangled up, but I managed to get them out and 2 were fine, but I lost one. The one with quads ad a bad presentation and I managed to get those ones out too, but I lost one of them too. One of my bottle calves sucked something into his stomach and poked a hole in it. Of course, I didn't know what what was going on, but I knew I needed to put him down, so I shot him and did my own necropsy. That was when I found that hole. So, it isn't all warm and fuzzy, but it sure is a joyous way of life. Please, don't quit.

It is kind of marriage. You have to take it for better or worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death or sale do you part. There are more good days than bad, that is for sure

Becky

LOL, I sure hope that someday I can come post *that* post..... "5 years with no vet bills and NO problems!!!"

I can *totally* handle doctoring. I love practicing my suturing and splinting. I love giving shots. I love squeezing pus out, the more the better... so satisfying. I know, it's sick. I have to restrain myself. And of course, I would prefer it wasn't necessary, but if it is necessary, I can handle that.

[stamper]

Feb 3, 2013 12:16:35 GMT -5 pipergrey93 said:

I have to disagree with Laura on this. I've found most who want to have grass only cows are more concerned with going all natural rather than costs. And for the most part, once they find out it usually does not work out well for most dairy cows, they do feed grain. I also disagree that most people who have health issues with their cows, have then b/c they were too cheap to invest in a good cow. We all know that dairy cows have had a lot of health bred out of them in the name of ever higher production. Also, most KFCers spare no expense on these girls. If they weren't all wrapped up in their cows as pets, most wouldn't be on here.

We all have to start somewhere and have to learn and there is a sharp learning curve for sure. Those here on KFC tend the be some of the most conscientious cow owners around. We should never try to shame those who have made mistakes (we all have), or make those who didn't make mistakes, second guess themselves. And as far as having cows if you can't afford a lot of vet bills, the poor want healthy milk too. Plus, as we also know, most vets are worthless when it comes to issues specific to dairy cows. I paid mine a fortune to make my cow worse. Looking back, I wish I had skipped calling him and relied on those who are experienced and willing to help. It had nothing to do with money, and the next cow issue I had, I did skip the vet. I relied on dairy farmers instead. This time my girl lived.

Those who are new to cows and KFC reading harsh judgments posted might not ask an important questions for fear of being judged and that would be the real shame. Sandy

*like*

I know I've made my share of mistakes and had my share of ignorance, it is impossible to know everything. I try to just skim over the judgy posts, they usually have caring and experience in them too. I agree with everything that you said.

[stamper]

Feb 3, 2013 12:36:40 GMT -5 nvjersey said:

I got Sunny Belle a year and a half ago. She's 9 now. A backyard bred Jersey, so has always been a family cow. She's been the perfect "teacher" for me and my boys. Other than a small bout of mastitis (a week with the Today treatment cleared her up) she has been healthy and hassle free.
I halter her in the pasture and throw the leadrope over her hips, open the gate and meet her at the milking barn door.

<...>
I was nervous to milk in the cow barn. Milking time ended up being the most popular time! She was so laid back and steady that a good handful of other 4-Hers got a little try at milking a cow as well.

Awesome!! I'm so glad to hear that you've had such a positive experience.

[3cows]

....And I agree, the happy times are worth it, but for me they need to out-weigh the tragedies by at least 300 (or so) to 1 ......

Unfortunately there can never be that kind of odds on anything in our lives. We can do everything perfectly for years and then something occurs beyond our control we lose our cow, or for that matter our child, spouse, parent or best friend.
This fear of what can go wrong is kind of like going swimming at the river in late spring-- it's early in the season and you dip your toe in and the water is shockingly COLD. So you convince yourself you aren't ready and back up and sit on the bank watching all the ones already in the water. But eventually you get back up and dip that toe again and then decide heck with it and just jump in and get wet. It makes you shiver and shake for about 60 seconds and then you are warm and comfortable again and you can't really figure out why you waited so long.
My cows, bulls, calves, and all my other critters, are like beloved children to me, all with distinct personalities and quirks, and I have spent many a sleepless night seeing to them. As much as I love each one as an individual, I know that if lightning struck them all today, I would immediately honor them by getting more cows. An empty pasture is a very lonely site and leaving it empty is not what the memory of any of my critters deserve. And the longer you put it off, the more doubt and what-ifs will plague your mind. Go get a cow or three-- over the years to come, I guarantee that you the joy you get from all your critters to come will more than compensate for the occasional heart ache that is just par for the course.
I spent this morning hauling two big old babies to the slaughter house. Big, nearly 2 year old boys who had only taken one ride before in their lives and that was coming home with me at 3 days of age in a bed of straw in the back of my SUV with my silly dog hanging over the back seat sniffing them. Today, because they trusted me, I led them into the trailer one at a time with some bread and apple slices. It is always hard to do these things knowing that you are leading them to their death, but they had the best life I could give them, never scared, hungry or hurt. And I will honor their sacrifice by treating the next set of butcher calves just as good as I treated them. Farming is not all wine and roses, but it's an honest, reverent, close to the earth, way of life. Best regards to you and as stated before, jump on in-- the water is fine!

[pipergrey93]

I love squeezing pus out, the more the better... so satisfying. I know, it's sick. I have to restrain myself. And of course, I would prefer it wasn't necessary, but if it is necessary, I can handle that.

OMG - WHAT is it about lancing a nasty abscess that is so satisfying? It's not just us either, there's an entire website (and a very popular one at that) called 'PopThatZit.com'. It's just thousands of videos of abscesses being drained. LOL, I can lance an abscess with the best vet out there!

ETA: Don't know what's happening to the quote button but I'm responding to stamper here.

[fairlea]

I remember the trauma you went through last year and it is good to see back here thinking about trying again.

Most of us have had to deal with some tragedies on our farms. It's unavoidable. Some of us can deal with them better than others - or at least appear to be able to I can understand your fear, for I too lost a precious cow a number of years ago to a freak condition that eventually ended her life and we were devastated. She was our first and we were very close. We nursed her for two years and we were exhausted. I had nightmares that something would go wrong again with our other 2 cows and didn't think I could bare the pain of it. We considered finding a home for them.

My homeopath suggested I was suffering a bit from a kind of "post-traumatic stress". I started taking some flower remedies for grief and fear and slowly got myself feeling at peace again. I'm telling you this because the remedies made all the difference for me at that time. They helped me (and my husband) make a "shift" in our thinking and we were able to look at that sad experience in a new light. (I'd be happy to go into more detail if it interests you).

Anyhow, we didn't quit and we have had so many wonderful and happy experiences with our animals since then. I think you will know when the time is right and the cow that finds you will be very lucky.

lea

[sarahcountrymomma]

I look forward to hearing about you trying again as well:) Tragedy is an inevitable part of a farm. Some losses are worse than others. I feel sick to my stomach every time I lose and animal, or we "dodge a bullet" (so to speak) and a situation that could have been much worse, turned out no big deal.. I have felt that way on and off again throughout my life of learning. Hindsight is always 20/20. Life happens. It's unrealistic to think we'll be spared of heartache because that's how we grow. And no matter how "experienced" we are, something beyond our foresight will pop up, & we may or may not handle it perfectly. Being a mom of 8 kids I understand that now more than ever. You'd think I'd be a pro by now.. But I think the big guy upstairs has a plan for us to grow (please take or leave that as you will. It's just my personal belief). But religious or not, trials are how we grow. I'm stronger for my challenges. I know you are too.

When I have those moments of "what the heck did I get myself into?! I have no business doing this!", I like to reflect on the more common scenario when outside taking care of the barn yard critters with my kids. Hens are scratching, chicks are peeping, goat kids are jumping around playing with the children, cow and momma goat are happily chewing their cud, horses are rolling around in the sand pile in between nibbling on the grass, pigs are basking in the sunlight.. It's moments like these (that are quite common occurrences) that the most wonderful peace comes over me, & I know all is well and is as it should be. No avoidance of the enviable bad times ahead can make up for the lack of moments of true joy and peace like these ones.

I wasn't blessed to have been raised on a farm. I am a self made farmer and happy to be it.. mistakes and all;) I think that's one of an animals greatest rolls.. To teach US. Good luck to you!

[Debbie Lincoln]

Again - and please don't accuse me of beating a dead horse!!!! LOL - I urge people with limited amount of dairy cow experience (and I am one of those, even though we have had beefers for over 30 years) to get a beeferXmilker. My little Abbey is a gem - and she has given me the confidence to raise a Jersey heifer - due in October, we hope.
And like so many things, there is rarely a "bargain cow" but you also don't need to pay top dollar to get an animal that's healthy and agreeable. Look at a LOT of cows, don't fall in love with the first one, set your goals and hold to them. Be willing to walk away AND, most important....CARRY CASH! :-)

[milkmaid]

Sandy, there is no arrogance or judgment in either of those posts. The only thing I or Laura have done is stated facts. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read through the posts on this board and figure out that a lot of folks don't know the basics of caring for cattle. Fact. Not judgment.

Learning is an important part of being involved in any hobby. There's nothing wrong with not knowing something - but there IS something wrong with putting your head in the sand and pretending you know everything you need to know, and I frankly don't care if you have an 8th grade education or multiple PhDs.

I don't judge people for not knowing about those 50 million things that can go wrong with their cow. Everyone starts somewhere. I do judge them for buying a cow with no place to put it, no knowledge of what to feed it, how to milk it, how to take care of it, no money to deal with problems, etc, etc, etc. You wouldn't invest in a new car without some research into brand, model, repair history, Carfax, etc - why would you do anything differently with a cow? It might work out well for *most* people - however, when everything goes wrong and the cow is on death's doorstep, having an owner with no experience is not a humane situation for the cow. I've seen enough posts on here to know that it does happen. Using a live animal for your personal education is walking a very fine line.

I realize that 99% of the people on the board do care immensely about the welfare about their cows. However, concern for their animals and enough knowledge to know if they're appropriately caring for their animals are completely different issues.

In regards to MF and ketosis: at the rate at which both metabolic diseases occur on this board, family cow owners have a much higher incidence of metabolic diseases than commercial dairies do. I still maintain that most of the time you either have something else going on, or else half of the people have a terrible nutritional program.

I still haven't figured out why you've gotten your panties in such a wad about this. No newbies have been named, I have no one in mind, no one has been picked on - the comments regarding inexperience are general and a result of several years of being on the board. If you have cow experience/knowledge, great. There's always more you can get. If you don't have it, put some effort into learning so you can improve the welfare of your cows. That is all that has been said.

[lew92]

Why, oh why, does a very legitimate question and appeal for reassurance and practical advice have to be diverted by a couple of people who have strongly opposing opinions?

Back off and quit hijacking what is otherwise a great testament to the experiences that most of us have with our cows!

Facts? Maybe, but awfully harshly and arrogantly stated. Maybe no one has been specifically named, but you are still being very hurtful.

[milkmaid]

Not arrogant. The original poster asked for advice - there's been plenty of support in that not every cow has problems, most live into their old age, etc, etc. The point I'm making is that people should do some research on the cows that they want to purchase, and should keep learning about taking care of cows. It *does* help your cows. Veterinarians and medical professionals are required to go to continuing education classes because new information is always being made available through research. What applied in 1990 has been updated repeatedly between then and 2013, and there's new information for you on animal welfare.

What is so upsetting about the concept of learning???

[jerseylovinliz]

I got a little distracted reading all the replies so I apologize if this sounds odd.

If you want to talk about luck, odds & likelihoods God Bless America have I got some stories to share. However, I wouldn't be w/o a milk cow w/o putting up a fierce nasty fight first (even though my girls have been the cause of some of the deepest pain I've ever experienced). I'm like that kid in grade school that's always got a broken arm, falling flat on their face or walking into the glass door & somehow always sits in mustard... I have utterly ridiculous luck but I have learned to cherish the small things & be happy w/however many good days come my way.

I say this in the nicest way possible & w/love. You are way ahead of most people when it comes to bovine & I don't know that you realize it. You have knowledgable people in your area who are willing to help. You have at least 1 vet who's got some cow experience & willing to help. You have personal experience, knowledge of your own to guide you & the foresight (not the word I'm looking for but can't think of it now) to trust your gut. You knew something was wrong w/Fern & you didn't hesitate to act. You are miles ahead of a lot of people. You have back-up waiting on the sidelines to jump in for you. You are not alone; I want you to hear, breath & soak in that fact.

Can any of us guarantee heart-breaking stuff won't happen b/c you've already dealt w/your crappy stuff? Sadly no, I'm not even going to say the likelihood is smaller for you now b/c of your experiences b/c I can't in good conscience say that. Millions of people go to Vegas to throw the dice & take a chance. Do the benefits outweigh the risks for you personally? Are you willing to throw the dice again not knowing where/how they'll land? If you are I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by all the wonderful things you've unfortunately yet to experience.

[wyomama]

Feb 4, 2013 16:06:20 GMT -5 milkmaid said:

What is so upsetting about the concept of learning???

Absolutely nothing!

I think the fact that anyone sets downs and types something into Google and ends up here means they want to learn.

At *that* point in time, presenting an attitude of "well, you never should have bought a cow in the first place, dumba$$" (even in the cases where it happens to be true ) doesn't help the person, doesn't help the cow, isn't what I have in mind for this forum, and will prevent people from feeling free to ask questions that they are worried might be dumb - which also defeats the purpose of the board.

Regardless - that's all a bit off-topic in this thread - and I think that's what the objections were mostly about.

[Debbie Lincoln]

So well said, Liz...and I think a lot of it boils down to the type of personality you are...willing to take a risk with the potential "winnings" being phenomenal (along with the potential of great losses and sorrow). Several years ago (at least 20) we had a prize heifer due to calve any day, and the morning she went into labor, I slept late. Plain and simple, I was lazy. Went out to find a gorgeous dead bull calf hung up halfway out. PUlled the calf, cow was paralyzed, after 4 weeks of work, we lost her, too. I wanted to sell everything and move to town. I could NOT forgive myself. Husband calmed me down, and of course when the NEXT gorgeous baby was born, all safe and lively, my tuned changed and confidence returned. And I never slept late again when on heifer watch. NEVER. ANd as a result, I have "saved" some calves and experienced the extreme joy of witnessing their births.
Along the same lines, I have acquaintances who chose never to have children because they were afraid they wouldn't be good parents, "they cost too much", or "I couldn't bear it if they were ill". We have 2 great kids who have had multiple health issues (and the odds are we will bury one of them), but I wouldn't have passed up the experience for all the "safety" in the world. Often to achieve ecstasy, we have to have extreme sorrow. A life of bland safety doesn't appeal too much to me....

[wyomama]

Feb 3, 2013 2:27:37 GMT -5 stamper said:

Are there any cows (of the dairy variety) that exist their entire lives (full, natural lives) with no major trauma. Minor trauma is expected and acceptable. No "going down" and requiring 24-7 care for weeks on end. No birthing catastrophes if someone had to miss the birth to go to work for a couple of hours. No sudden illness requiring acute and immediate emergency veterinary care. Or is this what you always sign up for with a dairy cow? I know it happens, but does it ALWAYS happen?

................

Please share your happy, hearty cow experiences with me But you don't have to lie

I don't know how many calves I've had born here over the last 10 years - somewhere between 30 and 50. I had one cow who ALWAYS had breech babies - other than hers, they've all been born without issues - four of my girls, I've never actually seen them calve - I go out in the morning, there's a dry calf next to them.

I've had a very few major traumas - and it seems that they come in spurts, so they'll just about wear you down to nothing. A couple of those were of my own making, or because of my own ignorance - and those hurt something awful. Sometimes you learn from them, sometimes the only thing to learn is that you aren't in control of everything. A few minor traumas. But mostly, just very peaceful, happy, and extremely fulfilling moments in long chains of completely uneventful days.

[dunderi]

I've had good and bad with my cows, but i wouldn't live without them.

Betty - my first dairy cow. she was black as the ace of spades, and had horns, and everyone except me didn't get along with her. she put marks in everyone's cars, and my poor wheelbarrow has never looked the same. I nearly lost her to bloat, which caused her to miscarriage, but she bred back straight away, and ended up having the calf unassisted while i was at work (sneaky girl, i thought there was a fawn in the paddock with her) and then she produced enough milk for 6 baby calves... i bought her for $300 from people who thought she was supposed to be angus (lol) and sold her for $1100 as a totally tame pet, with her steer calf (he was jersey, never going to be very beefy, and he had her temper lol) to a lady who brought a sparkly diamonte halter when she collected her.

Dime - came with Annabelle, and a free steer. i pretty much rescued these girls. they were both pregnant (although not as far along as i'd been told) and Dime turned out to be pregnant to a charolais bull. she was very petite, probably from malnutrition, and we had to pull the calf (died in calving, course it was a heifer too, a great blooming silver thing with massive hips) Dime passed later, she had calving paralysis and never did get up.

Annabelle - is the light of my life. She is quiet, calm, affectionate, and on New Years morning 2012 she had a droughtmaster cross bullcalf, almost totally unassisted. she milks tolerantly, no kick no fuss, and will foster anything that puts its head near her udder. With Anna i was able to raise 3 good dairy steers plus her own rambunctious calf, all of whom i sold, to purchase Ruby.,

Ruby is a droughtmaster heifer, who was maybe 4 months old when i bought her. she was WILD, like cattle station wild. so our home is a complete ends-up for her. sher's training well, in fits and starts, and Anna has alot to do with that. Anna fostered her on straight away, and Ruby is without exception the fattest healthiest shiniest beef cow you've ever seen.

so its a mixed bag. you win some and you lose others, and some cows are simply less maintenance. good breeding practises will save you from the heartache we had with Dime, that poor heifer should never have been let run with a charolais bull - had the calf been a nice pointy nosed little droughty or brahma or something she would have survived. better fencing would have saved Betty from the bloat - we put our hotwire in that very week.

i can honestly say i've not had a vet out more than the twice, once with bloat, once with calving. it was this forum, and not the vet - that saved Betty. the vet said she was going to die. in the end, it was a bottle of my potent home brewed beer that turned the tide!!

i think you need to decide for yourself if the potential for disaster is worth it. each animal i view as an asset, but one i could lose so i don't look at them with a dollar value in mind. each vet bill needs to be weighed individually. for example - i'd happily pay $300 to pull a calf in the dead of night, but if it was a $3000 bill i'd euthanise the cow.

I also recently purchased a horse - now that is a frivolous animal to own, its all payments with no potential to recoup anything but my own mental health right there. vaccs, shoes, dentist, chiro, rugs feed etc etc etc... Reuben is a right luxury and naught else. but with as much potential for disaster as the cows... ie I'm not likely to fall of Anna and nearly break my hip like i did with a certain gelding the other morning.

i long for a bigger farm. and more livestock. for self sufficiency. its a proven fact that living in a small houseblock with out my menagerie makes me sick of body and spirit. Farm life is for me.

[stamper]

Feb 4, 2013 14:39:38 GMT -5 pipergrey93 said:

I love squeezing pus out, the more the better... so satisfying. I know, it's sick. I have to restrain myself. And of course, I would prefer it wasn't necessary, but if it is necessary, I can handle that.

OMG - WHAT is it about lancing a nasty abscess that is so satisfying? It's not just us either, there's an entire website (and a very popular one at that) called 'PopThatZit.com'. It's just thousands of videos of abscesses being drained. LOL, I can lance an abscess with the best vet out there!

ETA: Don't know what's happening to the quote button but I'm responding to stamper here.

ha ha! I didn't know about the website!! That's so funny. It is a very primal satisfaction.

[stamper]

Feb 4, 2013 14:47:55 GMT -5 fairlea said:

I remember the trauma you went through last year and it is good to see back here thinking about trying again.

My homeopath suggested I was suffering a bit from a kind of "post-traumatic stress". I started taking some flower remedies for grief and fear and slowly got myself feeling at peace again. I'm telling you this because the remedies made all the difference for me at that time. They helped me (and my husband) make a "shift" in our thinking and we were able to look at that sad experience in a new light. (I'd be happy to go into more detail if it interests you).

Anyhow, we didn't quit and we have had so many wonderful and happy experiences with our animals since then. I think you will know when the time is right and the cow that finds you will be very lucky.

lea

Very interesting. I have hesitated to say it out loud for fear of belittling the peopled who have a real PTSD diagnosis, but sometimes I feel like that too. Just when I think about getting a new cow, and waking up terrified every morning to what I might find, or when I drive the same route that I took Fern to the vet in the middle of the night. I don't really think it is, but it's definitely some real anxiety. And I think a lot of it come from the fact that it is my only experience. I had never been to that vet (they have 2 offices) and if I had gone there for a zillion other things, one bad trip probably wouldn't feel so bad, but since it was my only trip, it feels terrible. I can finally drive by there without crying!

[stamper]

Feb 4, 2013 16:14:59 GMT -5 jerseylovinliz said:

I got a little distracted reading all the replies so I apologize if this sounds odd.

If you want to talk about luck, odds & likelihoods God Bless America have I got some stories to share. However, I wouldn't be w/o a milk cow w/o putting up a fierce nasty fight first (even though my girls have been the cause of some of the deepest pain I've ever experienced). I'm like that kid in grade school that's always got a broken arm, falling flat on their face or walking into the glass door & somehow always sits in mustard... I have utterly ridiculous luck but I have learned to cherish the small things & be happy w/however many good days come my way.

I say this in the nicest way possible & w/love. You are way ahead of most people when it comes to bovine & I don't know that you realize it. You have knowledgable people in your area who are willing to help. You have at least 1 vet who's got some cow experience & willing to help. You have personal experience, knowledge of your own to guide you & the foresight (not the word I'm looking for but can't think of it now) to trust your gut. You knew something was wrong w/Fern & you didn't hesitate to act. You are miles ahead of a lot of people. You have back-up waiting on the sidelines to jump in for you. You are not alone; I want you to hear, breath & soak in that fact.

Can any of us guarantee heart-breaking stuff won't happen b/c you've already dealt w/your crappy stuff? Sadly no, I'm not even going to say the likelihood is smaller for you now b/c of your experiences b/c I can't in good conscience say that. Millions of people go to Vegas to throw the dice & take a chance. Do the benefits outweigh the risks for you personally? Are you willing to throw the dice again not knowing where/how they'll land? If you are I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by all the wonderful things you've unfortunately yet to experience.

I don't think your post sounded odd at all! I think I really agree with you. I tried to be careful the way I asked the question, because I'm not really asking if bad things will happen to me again. I know that's impossible to say. I just want to know that things CAN be better and that it happens often enough for me to be willing to take the chance.... I hope that makes sense.


I don't want to derail this thread too much on woeful-ness I just want to know that people exist that have had dairy cows with only a reasonable amount of heartache.

[stamper]

Feb 4, 2013 17:00:18 GMT -5 wyomama said:

Feb 3, 2013 2:27:37 GMT -5 stamper said:

Are there any cows (of the dairy variety) that exist their entire lives (full, natural lives) with no major trauma. Minor trauma is expected and acceptable. No "going down" and requiring 24-7 care for weeks on end. No birthing catastrophes if someone had to miss the birth to go to work for a couple of hours. No sudden illness requiring acute and immediate emergency veterinary care. Or is this what you always sign up for with a dairy cow? I know it happens, but does it ALWAYS happen?

................

Please share your happy, hearty cow experiences with me But you don't have to lie

I don't know how many calves I've had born here over the last 10 years - somewhere between 30 and 50. I had one cow who ALWAYS had breech babies - other than hers, they've all been born without issues - four of my girls, I've never actually seen them calve - I go out in the morning, there's a dry calf next to them.

I've had a very few major traumas - and it seems that they come in spurts, so they'll just about wear you down to nothing. A couple of those were of my own making, or because of my own ignorance - and those hurt something awful. Sometimes you learn from them, sometimes the only thing to learn is that you aren't in control of everything. A few minor traumas. But mostly, just very peaceful, happy, and extremely fulfilling moments in long chains of completely uneventful days.

That's what I want to hear! That must be the best kind of disappointment, to miss a birth only to find a dry healthy baby and mama! I can handle that

I feel like it's such a mixed bag when it comes to things going wrong. If you did something wrong, at least there's something you can do next time, but if you didn't do anything wrong, it's terrifying because there's nothing you can do, but it least it wasn't "your fault."