Woke up on May 8th at 4:30 to losing my mucus plug. It was a huge chunk, brownish tinge/ clear-ish. After losing my plug, I started having super light contractions that could be timed. I totally thought, "this is it"! Lol. I got up, showered, ate- the contractions were consistent-ish and suuper mellow. So throughout the day, I started walking everywhere and bouncing as I stood to get labor started. My contractions pretty much went away, but would randomly pick up again here and there. They were slightly stronger, but barely noticeable. I called my mom and we decided to walk around and go shopping. After a couple hours, I was getting pretty tired, so as we were heading back, I felt some weird pressure and a trickle- but I knew I didn't pee. Anyways, got back to the house and my mom kept saying, "smell for vanilla or something sweet!" Over and over...I blew it off, naturally. But as soon as I went pee/checked my pad, my nose was filled with the smell of vanilla! Like crazy strong! So we called the L&D and they wanted us to come down ASAP. 

We get there and they do the strip test for amniotic fluid and it came back negative! Luckily, they did a swab too and looked under a microscope and they did see the amniotic fluid. I most likely had a small tear. This normally wasn't a big deal, except for the fact I'm strep b positive. So they wanted to induce me ASAP. Even with antibiotics, the longer it takes to deliver the baby with a ruptured sack, the more likely they're going to get sick...

Anyways, I decided that I really didn't want to be induce and that I wanted to try to kick off my labor naturally (because I had had so many contractions).

4 hrs of walking, bouncing, nipple rubbing, my contractions got quite a bit stronger, but no where near where I needed to be. So I got induced around 1 am on May 9th.

I decided to go as long as I could naturally....big mistake...

The petocin kicked in ASAP and I was so exhausted from running around all day trying to start my labor, that I had no strength...I couldn't stand during contractions or walk around. So I sat on a ball, which helped for a bit, but killed my back....so I stuck it out for 6 hrs, my contractions were insanely painful! They were super sharp and about 2 minutes apart. But here's the key, they were the right strength, but NOT super consistent. I would have one every two minutes and then three in a row that were a minute apart. I'd sometimes get a 3 minute break...so, after 5 hours, I got checked....only 2 cm dilated!!!!! 😭😒😩

At that point, I was like, fuck it- give me the epidural.

Helpful hint: by the time you agree to an epidural, it takes up to an hour from start to finish, to stop feeling pain. They have to find an anesthesiologist, get them in, set you up, wait for a break during your crazy contractions, put everything in (not painful btw) and then it takes about 20 minutes for you to stop feeling them. You can also get bumped, like I did, because you're a champ and taking the contractions really well, but Suzy from next store, is losing her shit....😒so she gets to go first...

So the epidural: fucking amazing! I slept for hours afterwards. It wasn't crazy high, I could still move my legs and slightly feel the big contractions.

Fast forward 5 hrs and I got checked, I was at 9 cm dilated! 🙌🏻 about an hour later, it was pushing time. It took me 45 minutes to push him out. It was hard because I couldn't feel a thing down there, so until he was super low and there was pressure, it was hard knowing when and where to push. Once he was low, I could feel my contractions working and the pressure.

45 mins later, he came out! He had some meconium in the sack (which they fully ruptured when they last checked me at 9 cm). I had a 2nd degree tear, but they did everything during labor to help prevent that; delayed pushing, warm cloths..etc. 

After he came out, he didn't scream right away so they brought him to the side quickly to suck anything out, but luckily he started crying ASAP, so they put him on my chest and I died of happiness.

I delivered the placenta (weird) and they stitched me up, both of which I couldn't feel because of the epidural.

I was also so obsessed with him that I didn't pay attention lol

Post birth: you're tired, sweaty, and all you care about us baby lol

The tear in my vag isn't bad, just uncomfortable.

Breastfeeders: learn how to get a good latch ASAP!! I didn't realize I wasn't getting a good latch (mouth covering whole areola, nipple in far back of mouth) until after a couple of feeding sessions....and that mistake gave me chapped/ insanely sore nipples. If you feel any pain= not a good latch! It should feel like a tug!

Anyways, I hope this helps someone! I always liked reading the detailed stories, especially because I had so much cramping and thought that I was about to go into labor for weeks lol

Oh and here's the man of the hour!

7 lbs 11 oz

21 inches :) looks just like his dad