I’d like to start by saying I am incredibly grateful for the boring and uncomplicated labor and delivery I had. So many women have so many complications and risks in their pregnancies, labors, and deliveries and I don’t take my experience for granted for a single minute after reading their stories.

It was about 5 am Monday morning (7/8) when I noticed contractions getting regular. I had been having contractions over the past weekend but I didn’t think much of it since it was my 3rd baby and I was chasing around 2 toddlers at the lake. We woke up around 6:30 am and started getting ready for the day, like normal. Our toddlers got up around 7:15, and by that point the contractions were pretty regular and I told my husband after he dropped our boys off at daycare that we would need to go to the hospital. He got home at 8 am, put the bag in the car, and we were sitting in triage at 8:30 am (we live about a mile from the hospital). The contractions were pretty intense at this point and the OB came in and checked me (same OB who delivered my 2nd baby!) and she said I was about 4 cm but she was going to admit me due to the contractions and it being my 3rd baby. We got to the L&D room at about 10 am, and the glorious epidural was administered at about 10:45 am. I continued to progress and at 1:15 the OB broke my water (same with my other 2 kids, my water never breaks on its own), and I began pushing at 3 pm. My baby girl was born at 4:15 pm. According to the OB I had “barely” a 2nd degree tear. No issues pushing, no issues with her coming out, and an easy recovery. Our Molly Elizabeth was 7lbs, 19.5 inches and I am so grateful for the wonderful labor and delivery I had with her!