my birth story
The very first of the year in 2021 I found out I was pregnant. I had a pretty simple pregnancy, besides the mood swings, insatiable hunger, and being big pregnant through summer.
The last day of August rolls in and I am miserably pregnant. I had a doctor’s appointment that day, and was told that I had been dilated to a 1. For those that don’t know, this isn’t very dilated. It’s actually the first level.
I get home from work, eat a subway sandwich, and decide to go for a walk to help bring that baby down. When you’re THAT pregnant, all you want is to not be pregnant anymore so I wanted to get the ball rolling. I walk about a mile and by the end of it, I am exhausted. After getting home, I watch The Vampire Diaries while bouncing on a yoga ball.
Later that night rolls around and I’m just feeling uncomfortable so I decide to go lay down. I’m laying trying to go to sleep, but I keep getting contractions. I didn’t think anything of it because I had been having braxton hicks for the past couple of weeks. These contractions though were just a bit more painful. After realizing it was hurting a good bit, I decide to get up and walk around.
My underwear became a bit wet, but it wasn’t a gush like how people described when their water breaks, so I just changed them… But they became soaked again… And again. And again. The contractions started to hurt worse, so I called L&D and they told me to come in to get checked just in case.
My boyfriend at the time drove us to the hospital, I got checked with a little strip, and it was indeed amniotic fluid. They told me “congratulations, you’re having a baby today!”.
The pain started to increase and they gave me something to help. Not sure what they gave me, but it made me feel drunk and pass out for like 3 hours. After waking up, they said I was dilated to about a 4 and could get the epidural if I wanted.
By this time, its like 7 am and I decided to get the epidural.
My experience with the epidural wasn’t bad… Everyone makes it out to be worse than what it is. The pain from the contractions was far worse. For whatever reason I thought the epidural was just a shot, but it’s actually something thats inserted into your back. The best way to describe the sensation is like a line of cold going through my spine.
The epidural stopped the pain from the contractions and allowed me to lay down comfortably. Eventually though, I was shivering uncontrollably. The nurses tried to comfort me with lots of blankets but they didn’t help at all. It must have been from nerves or maybe from my body’s reaction to the epidural.
Majority of the day was a blur for me. I was just highly uncomfortable and was ready to get the baby out. It was around 3 when the nurses informed me I was dilated to a 9. They wanted me to try some practice pushes. Pushing is also not what you would expect. They had me hold my breath and count to 10, while pushing down as hard as I could. Holding my breath was honestly the hardest part. After doing some practice pushes… They told me we needed to get the doctor ASAP. It was hard not to push.
After what felt like forever, the doctor showed up and we got things rolling. I pushed for about 20 minutes and my baby boy was here!
I don’t remember much after he was born, other than breastfeeding is difficult at first, I ate tacos4life as my first meal in 24 hours, and that I was crazily tired. I was also pretty shocked at the fact that they just hand you your baby and leave the room lol.
Overall, birth wasn’t as bad as people make it out to be. Everyone’s experience is different, but this was mine.
Throughout the years, many childbirth experiences have been shared, particularly during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expectant mothers have encountered unique challenges, such as restricted hospital visits and increased anxiety about the virus. The importance of support systems, whether through partners or virtual means, has become a focal point in these discussions. Moreover, understanding the natural progression of labor is essential for new parents. From the emotional rollercoaster of anticipation to the physical demands of childbirth, each journey varies. Tips on managing labor pains, such as breathing techniques and the option of epidurals, have been frequently highlighted. Engaging with doulas or midwives can offer additional support and guidance. Breastfeeding also presents its challenges, especially in the early days postpartum. Many first-time mothers report difficulties, prompting the need for education and community support. Resources like lactation consultants and forums on platforms like Lemon8 help mothers connect and share experiences, ultimately fostering a sense of community in this transformative life stage. Ultimately, every birth story is a unique narrative that reflects individual circumstances. Sharing these experiences not only empowers other parents but also creates a camaraderie that can help alleviate the fears associated with childbirth.
