Labor & Delivery highlights

- started contractions 7/22 in the evening

- by 2am on 7/23 I was getting pretty strong contractions

- by 2pm we left for the hospital (30 min drive) and once I was checked I was at 6 cms

- my doula was called

- my plan was natural and unmedicated birth but open to epidural

- they had to break my water to get to 10 cm because I was at 9 for a while

- baby was born at 8:47pm on 7/23 unmedicated and pushed for 30 mins.

Things that helped with natural delivery before hospital:

- walking my dog 2 hours a day in 3rd trimester

- yoga ball pelvic floor stretches

- raspberry leaf tea

- oxytocin via dancing, funny shows, live music.

At the hospital:

- doula guidance and support

- cheesy mantras: (1) “

I can do hard things” , (2) “ my body was made for this, (3) “if I can do this for one more minute, I can keep going”

- walking around in my room

- lower back massages

- calming music playlist

- dim lights

- husband being present the whole time and supporting me with contractions

Things I wish I did:

- the only thing I wish I did was do my hair in braids cause it was a hot mess and that’s okay but I would have liked my hair to be put together at least

- also I wish I would have recorded the giving birth part when she was given to me for golden hour