How preterm labor is like unto a concerto

In the beginning, you kind of go it alone... like a single melody... creating a theme you can come back to and rely on. You feel strong and capable. Confident and positive. Pretty soon, you are joined by friends and family which support you and build you up. And your melody is suddenly much more interesting and pleasing to listen to. This is doable, you think! Everyone helps you find this voice. And how grateful you are.

Then things begin to develop and build and you're not sure what is coming next. Your body begins to play it's own tune without your permission. And it doesn't make much sense to you, or anyone else, considering how well you started off. There is dissonance and you begin to modulate to other keys. You are feeling unstable. You're not sure you can see an end in sight, at least not one you're happy with. Your emotions pile up and inevitably spread confusion among friends and family members. This is not the melody you began with. You long for that safe zone in which you no longer have to worry about pushing yourself too far... or your family too far... you want to get back to feeling confident and positive! Find your voice again!

Somehow, you do find it, and it doesn't take as long as you thought it would. Through sheer determination, continued support and encouragement, you arrive at where you began. And alas, everything comes full circle, familiarity returns, and your haphazard journey is resolved. In the same key it began.