My Birth Story

Baby is almost three months old now and I have been meaning to write the birth story for a while now! I remember reading a lot of them before I gave birth and enjoying them.

On the 4th of July I remember trying to go to the beach but it being too full, of course, and no parking spots. My friend and I decided to thrift shop instead but only made it through one store (we usually like to go to both), before I just felt “off” and crampy, and told her I wanted to go home. I was exhausted from working all morning and getting up at 5 to prepare for our farmers market booth.

Finally I was home, in pajamas. My husband wanted to go to Marshall’s since he missed out on our outing and was stir crazy. I almost said no but I felt bad so I gave in. We were there not 15 minutes before the pain was so bad I told him I just had to go home. It was a cramp like you get when you have been exercising too hard and not enough water, in my sides. We came home and sat on the couch but opted for an early bedtime since I was exhausted. By this time it’s 8:30 and I start wincing at what I thought was each braxton hick. I reluctantly call the doctor and she says to monitor the timing and go in once they’re 5 minutes apart. As I say “ok” my voice cracks in a sob that I know she can hear.

It’s 9pm and I’m crying in pain. I call my mom and by the time she comes over the contractions are 3 minutes apart- sometimes I feel like they’re on top of each other! “You’ve gotta go!” She says. I still can’t believe that it was here! I was 37 weeks, so early, and I didn’t get to nap!!! I was so tired, how was I going to do this?? I was supposed to take the next week off to rest! Nothing mattered, and we drove to the hospital.

We waited at the front entrance to go in, but nobody came and it hurt so badly so we went around to the emergency entrance. They wheeled me upstairs and I remember how cheerful the male nurse was. I was thinking, can’t he be a little more serious?? I’m dyin’ here! We wait to get checked for dilation... 4cm! I was sure I was at a ten 😂. The Dr. walks in and said she had a feeling that she’d be seeing me when she heard my voice on the phone. They ask if I want an epidural... what my birth plan was... I was open to an epidural, but wanted to feel the labor, see how bad it would get I guess. I could feel the lump in my throat forming when she asked what my plan was. I missed my mom. She was supposed to be there before all this mess happened.

We went to the delivery room and I cried for the epidural and it felt like forever til he got there. Apparently I was the only laboring woman there. Actually, I was the only other mother in the building! He finally came after calling twice... he was asleep apparently. I thought that was just hilarious. He walked in groggy. He was so dear, I couldn’t describe it but I knew it was going to be OK.

We waited a long time, til 7:30 am before I was ready to push. After an hour and a half, though, he was here! And nothing else mattered anymore. He’s waking up now so I have to go 😂