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I will be thinking about you, the expectant mother and the baby and sending good thoughts that the situation works out best for all concerned, whether that be that the mother decides to relinquish or to parent.
If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to speak with the emom about whether or not you will attend the birth and what your role there will be. This time in the hospital during labor, delivery and afterward will be the emom's time to be Mom and Mother to her child, and it is an important time for her and the baby. I was also 17 when I relinquished, and I had no idea what the impact of relinquishment would be on me or my child - an impact that will last the rest of our lives. I did not begin to understand what a huge decision I was making. I thought I did, but I didn't. I was blessed to be able to spend 5 days in the hospital with my son - 5 days where I was Mom. That time was important for me to bond with my son and for me to say goodbye. Please give your child's Mother the space to do that, whether she realizes that she needs that space or not. I know that will be an exciting time for you, and you will want to start bonding with the baby immediately, but please step back and let her have her time with her child, without pressure. That time will be a special memory that she will treasure the rest of her life.
My best wishes to all of you,
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Isabo
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