A Positive Birth Story

If you’re nervous about giving birth, this story is for you.

When I found out I was pregnant my first thought was, “OMG I have to give birth!”. I was so excited at the thought of having a sweet little baby, but terrified at the thought of labor and the actual birth. I hate all things medical – needles, hospitals, pain – everything you know is part of birthing a child. But I am here to tell you, it’s a completely magical experience!

Our original due date was January 24, then after my first ultrasound and based on baby’s measurements the date was changed to January 19. My entire pregnancy she was measuring “small” and I was sure she would be around 6 pounds (both my husband and I were around 6 pounds at birth).

January 19 – Due Date Check-up Appointment

My doctor (who was an absolute angel), checked to see if I was dilated. I was 3 cm, but no where near being in labor. We went home and figured the January 24 due date may have been more accurate.

January 21 – The Great Sleep

I slept ALL. DAY. LONG. Like deep comfy sleep, only sat up to eat or drink water, kind of sleep. I didn’t think anything of it, other than “thank you baby girl for letting me get some rest!”. My husband stayed home from work thinking this was it.

January 22 – Baby Day!

4:00AM

The last few weeks of pregnancy I would wake up at 4am, on the dot, needing to go to the bathroom. Well, baby girl was preparing me. January 22 at 4am on the dot I woke up to the feeling of what I thought was peeing the bed. It just kept flowing, and I knew it was my water breaking. I woke up my husband and told him, he jumped up in a frenzy but I told him we had time and I was gonna shower.

This part is where the magic started – I had never felt so calm and ready to do anything in my life. No sense of rush or panic like I had anticipated. I felt small contractions, but they were spaced out and I didn’t feel the need to rush to the hospital.

5:00AM

Showered and packed, we had pancakes in the kitchen, made a smoothie for the road, got the dog taken care of, and hopped in the car by 6:25am.

7:10AM

We had a beautiful pink sunrise on the way to the hospital, about a 40 minute drive. I felt contractions on the way, nothing strong or too close together.

We checked in and were admitted right away since my water had broke. I was given a hospital gown and socks (leave the Uggs at home, k), hooked up to a monitor to check baby’s heart rate, and asked if I wanted an epidural. We had planned to take it as long as we could without any medication. My contractions were strong but honestly felt like period cramps. But better. Because these cramps came and went in a matter of seconds. I sat on a large yoga ball as my mom and sister arrived. It was all very calm.

12:54PM

I had dilated to 6cm. Contractions became stronger but I was still feeling great. Because I had been in labor since 4am, it was suggested we induce with Pitocin to get the baby out sooner than later. When your water breaks, you’re losing fluid and more prone to infection, it’s safer to get the baby out. We agreed to the inducing. Knowing the drug could make contractions more intense, I asked for an epidural.

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1:15PM

EPIDURALS ARE AMAZING!!!

1:22PM

Catheters SUCK!!!

3:16PM

Pitocin is administered.

5:50PM

I am dilated 9cm and have a strong urge to push. I’m asked to not push until my doctor arrives. Let me tell you something, your body knows exactly what to do. I wasn’t telling my body to push, my body was telling me. I did all I could to ride out those strong contractions. No pain, just pressure.

7:00PM

I started pushing. LORD! Pushing is hard. I was not prepared for how exhausting this part would be. Still no pain, just tons of pressure. I felt everything.

After a few hours my doctor asked if she could perform an episiotomy. I said whatever you need to do, I was exhausted.

(So something I know now for next time, when you get an epidural there is a little button you can push to release more medication as needed. I did not know about this button, more on that later.)

9:52PM

After pushing my brains out, my sweet baby angel was born. Remember when I mentioned we thought she’d be small. She was 8.9 pounds. Excuse me?! No wonder it was so hard to get her out. My first words to her were, “hi Kaia, I love you”. I just kept saying hi and telling her I’m her mama. I was instantly obsessed.

So, back to the episiotomy and the button. I needed stitches. That’s when I realized I had never pushed that epidural button. The stitches hurt like a b!t$&!!! Honestly the worst and only painful part of my birth experience.

So push that button and you’ll be good!

We stayed in the hospital for a few days and then headed home with our precious baby girl. Overall, my initial fear of labor and birth were completely normal, but I am happy to say there is such a thing as a calm, amazing birth experience.

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Tips

• You need a support system. Whether it be your spouse, your mom, your sister, a friend, a doula. You need someone there who will advocate for you.
• Epidurals are amazing. There is no award for giving birth unmedicated. Do what is best for YOU and baby.
• Speak up if something doesn’t feel right. You don’t want an IV, you don’t want people in and out of your room, you’re hot, you’re cold, you’re uncomfortable – speak up. The nurses I had were amazing and so accommodating to my needs. All I had to do was ask.
• Let your body do it’s thing. You were made to do this.
• Take the pictures. When a photographer came to our room a few hours after having baby and asked to take some pics, I declined. And I regret it. Just take the photos and you can decide later if you want to buy them or not.
• Let people help you. Being pregnant and a new mom, you’re gonna need help! Just accept it and enjoy your baby as much as you can, time is fleeting.

I hope this story helps ease you, and if you have any questions please drop them in the comments.