The Baby Is Coming

Pregnancy is hard. At the end you're just so anxious, nervous, but ready to be done.

You are counting down the days to your due date. Counting down the days until it is safe for you to go into labor without any health risks to your new bundle of joy. For several people, myself included, you are counting down the days until that little foot is no longer in your rib cage. Counting down the days until you no longer have to use the bathroom every hour on the hour. Counting down the days until you no longer feel hungry all the time. Counting down the days until you can see your toes again. Counting down the days until you can hold that precious little baby that has been growing inside you. Counting down the days until you can hold that little being inside you instead of only feeling their movement. Counting down the days until you can sleep on your stomach again. Counting down the days until you doctor finally tells you that you're body is readying itself for labor.

Those last few weeks are often the hardest as it is when you are the most uncomfortable. Your belly is swollen larger than it ever has been. For several your feet are swollen. You mainly only fit into maxi skirts and dresses.It's hard to get out of those plush chairs and couches.

But at the same time you are so excited. You can't wait to meet them. You are so nervous because you're not sure you are ready and wondering if you're going to be a good parent. You're anxious because you aren't sure you have enough clothes or the correct diapers or the correct wipes or that your hospital bag has everything you need when it's time. For some, you're anxious because you're worried about how the cats or the dogs are going to react to the new baby.

Then the time is finally here! Several women just start having contractions and go to the hospital, while some actually have their water break. In my opinion it is best for it to break at home. So many end up thinking they peed their pants and become extremely embarrassed. You go to change your clothes and notice there is more coming out or you keep feeling an uncomfortable gush with every step. That is when you realize that you did not pee your pants but instead your water has broke.

Which means it's time to grab that hospital bag, that diaper bag, your significant others hospital bag. Time to call or text your own parents that you're on your way to the hospital. Time to call that house sitter to let them know. If needed, like in my case, time to call the dog sitter. For some it's time to call the person your other child(ren).

You make it to the hospital and get checked in. Most of the time they will ask you to change into a hospital gown. In my opinion I would prefer my own clothes except for the fact that a doctor needs to be able to check your dilation progression and the hospital gown makes that easier. Sometimes your dilation will not progress as fast as it should after your water breaks so they need to give you some medication to help. They give you a choice of two different medications you can use during labor should you choose them: an epidural or a shot in your butt. Personally I refused both. Once you get to a certain dilation you will no longer have the option for the epidural.

Contractions are not as awful as a lot of people make them out to be. In reality only you can determine if contractions are bad as everybody has different pain tolerance levels. Some of the best advice I heard about getting through contractions is to breathe. Deep and slow breaths are key to making it through them. If needed squeeze something in your hand. Whether it be a blanket, a stress ball, or your significant others hand. I also found that bouncing and rotating my hips in a circle while on a medicine ball were very helpful as well. Once it's almost time to push is when the contractions will become the strongest and closest together. You will also start to feel some pressure that will make you think you have to use the bathroom but in reality it is your body getting ready as your baby gets closer to where they need to be for birth.

Pushing is something that is hard to explain. It is not like pushing something around. It is almost similar to pushing when you poop except more intense. Screaming and yelling while trying to push does absolutely nothing to help you, instead it prolongs the process. Forcing yourself to constantly push does not help a whole lot either. Pushing is easiest to do and progresses further if you push during a contraction. When you feel a contraction is about to start take a deep breath then start pushing. The doctor and nurses delivering your baby will tell you when they see your baby's head. The head is the hardest part about pushing, but once that head is out the rest only takes one to two more pushes.

Next thing you know that little baby is on your chest. It is one of the most magical and jaw dropping experiences to finally see and hold that little baby who you've only been able to see through a screen for nine months. If stitches are needed your doctor will tell you. Your doctor will also ask if you would like a numbing shot before they do any stitched. In all honesty though, after pushing our that amazing little miracle, you probably will hardly feel any stitch that gets put in. Your entire focus will be on that beautiful little baby you are holding in your arms.

It is in that moment that all those worries, all that nervousness, all those questions on whether or not you have everything prepared all mean absolutely nothing anymore. All that matters is that baby you are holding.