Labor Story: Shelby's Birth

Five months later, here is my labor story with Shelby.

April 22nd I started having cramps around 4AM that morning.  Not too bad just like mild period cramps.  They started to get a little more regular and felt a little stronger.  I started timing them and they were around 5 minutes apart but still not unbearable.  My app said "ok time to go to the hospital", and I was like no way it's definitely not time.  

I went about the day like normal, worked from home.  I did let work know that I might be having contractions so just be prepared.  Kyle worked like normal as well but he did pack up the car and make sure everything was ready. 

 

I still had contractions that came and went throughout the day, some strong some not.  That evening things started to kick up a notch.  We tried to go for a walk and I couldn't make it around the backyard.  The pain was definitely getting more intense.

 Kyle went to pick up dinner but I could barely eat with my contractions.  Continued timing contractions and they started to get more regular, Kyle said he thought it was time to go.  He actually had wanted to go long before then but I wanted to wait at home as long as possible to make sure I was really in labor and to help my labor continue.  The pain was getting really intense at that point so I agreed.  

 

We got to the hospital around 9PM and they checked us into triage.  They put me on the monitor to see the heartbeat and monitor my contractions.     

At this point I was around 4cm dilated.  My contractions were getting intense.  Still in triage dealing with  contractions we waited to see what was next.  My contractions were getting way more intense each time and finally my water broke.  At this point they checked me and I was 8cm.  The nurse said that my breathing was great and I was doing a great job managing everything.  She also said that I would be fine without an epidural (oh the foreshadowing).

 

They wheeled me on the bed to the delivery room and I told them I felt like I needed to push.  They told me to wait and then helped me onto the other bed.  I told them I wanted an epidural if possible, although I already knew things were moving really quick and there probably wouldn't be time and there definitely wasn't.

The room then filled up with all the nurses and doctor preparing the table for you and for the delivery.  They checked me and told me it was time to push.  I pushed for maybe thirty minutes or less.

Kyle was right beside me and he said that he could see the head and I was doing so good.  

 

At 11:41PM Shelby Elizabeth came into the world.  They toweled her off, Kyle cut the cord and then they placed her on my chest.  We snuggled and just looked at her and couldn't believe that she was finally here!

Shelby Elizabeth

6lbs 8oz 20 inches 

 

I watched a ton of videos and read so much information on preparing for labor and had my birth plan ready to go.  In the end things just happen, you're only in control of so much.  I hadn't necessarily planned on a natural birth but wanted to try if I was able.  Labor is hard and different for every woman.  I am so thankful for a safe and healthy delivery and a beautiful baby girl!

Pregnancy Must-Haves

 

Just a new mama rounding up info and things I found helpful during my pregnancy that I wanted to share. 

Prenatal vitamins: These are the vitamins I took but you can take whatever brand you like, make sure it has folic acid.  I found these easy to take and didn't taste bad.  I actually started taking these about 1-2 months before I was pregnant to make sure that my body was preparing and getting all the nutrients stored up for pregnancy.

Nursing bra: Your body changes and things are growing so you'll probably need a bigger bra.  I didn't want to go out and buy a larger bra just to have to buy nursing bras later so I just went ahead and got the nursing bras and wore those.  These are super comfy you can even sleep in them.

Dates: Random but I really feel like these made a difference, not so much in my pregnancy but in my labor/delivery.  I did a ton of research and read that dates help with cervical ripening which helps shorten labor and increase cervical dilation.  This was my first baby so I don't know how my body naturally responds to labor but I was dilated 1cm at 38 weeks and then a few days before my due date I was 2-3cm.  I'll share my labor story soon but I was dilated pretty quick.  I don't know how much the dates had to play in all that but they sure didn't hurt.  They recommend starting to eat 4-6 dates a day at around 36 weeks.  I ate them with peanut butter, in smoothies and at the beginning all on their own.  Towards the end I was so tired of dates and even now I don't want to eat any dates, but if it makes for a shorter labor I'll chow down on some.

Cocoa butter lotion: I used this through my entire pregnancy every night and hardly have any stretch marks.  I have heard that stretch marks are genetic and you really can't prevent them but hey anything to moisturize and maybe help prevent is good.

Exercise ball: Again I did a lot of research and watch so many labor/pregnancy videos that spoke the wonders of an exercise ball.  There are so many things you can do to help baby get in the right position and just get a little more comfortable yourself.  Towards the end of my pregnancy I would sit on the ball at the end of the day and do hip circles to try and loosen up my pelvis.  I had bad sciatic nerve pain during some of my pregnancy and this helped as well to take some pressure off.  I also used it when I was laboring at home to sway and take some weight off my hips and move my body.  Some women bring it with them to the hospital and some hospitals provide one, I just used it at home but I do recommend getting one!

Raspberry leaf tea: Yet another research item.  I heard that it might help prepare the cervix and uterus.  My doctor recommended taking it after 34 weeks.  Don't take it before 32 weeks!  I started out with one cup in the morning and then further in my pregnancy did one cup in the morning and then made an iced version for the afternoon.  Again not sure if it helped or not but it didn't hurt.  Make sure you consult your doctor before taking this just in case.  

 Those are just a few things I found helpful for an easier pregnancy and also labor/delivery.  Let me know if you have tried any of these and be sure to leave your must-haves below!

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