I always knew I wanted to be a mom – but with that, I was always so scared to actually birth a child. Between Hollywood’s dramatic portrayals and horror stories from mothers’ past, it always seemed like such a terrifying experience that would permanently alter my body for the worse.

So when I became pregnant with my first baby, I remember being so nervous for his grand entrance throughout the entire pregnancy. Spoiler alert – it was nothing like the movies.

With so many negative birth stories complete with trigger warnings and jump scares floating around out there, I wanted to take some time to share mine – a positive birth experience as a first time mom. 

But before I share, I wanted to first acknowledge that I am so grateful to have such a positive birth story that immediately resulted in a healthy, happy baby and mama – something that I know is not the case for all. Everyone’s birth story is different and my hope with sharing mine is to reflect some light in this seemingly scary territory.

The Preface

To set the stage, going into having my first baby, I did not create a detailed birth plan. My general hopes were 1.) I wanted a hospital birth, 2.) preferably vaginal delivery, and 3.) I wanted an epidural.

I’ve heard of people experiencing disappointment around their labor and delivery due to it not going exactly the way they were expecting or had planned. While everyone’s preferences and comfort levels are unique, I will say going into it with a flexible mindset and trusting professionals to help make the best decisions for me was the best thing I did.

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Going into it with a flexible mindset and trusting professionals to help make the best decisions for me was the best thing I did.

Extensive research may feel necessary for some but I’m a pretty go-with-the-flow type of person and did not do a birthing class, I did not have support outside the hospital (i.e. doula, midwife, etc.), and I did little research prior.

The Early Labor

Around 3:30pm on February 28th, 2023, one day after my due date, I began feeling what I would describe as period cramps. At that point, I wasn’t sure if this was related to early stages of labor or not – a sentiment I felt about every abnormal feeling during the final weeks of pregnancy.

At 4:30pm, the dull, steady pain kept increasing, so I decided to call the OB. They said I may be dehydrated, to drink water, and to come in if it got worse. As soon as I hung up the phone, I had made up my mind that something was definitely off and I wanted to go to the hospital. If it was nothing? Great! But if it was something? I wanted to be proactive.

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As soon as I hung up the phone, I had made up my mind that something was definitely off and I wanted to go to the hospital.

I called my husband, Eli, who was on his way home from the grocery store, to let him know I wanted to go to the hospital and get checked out. As I put the final touches on my hospital bag that had been packed for weeks, Eli got home and decided to make some food. He wasn’t convinced it was urgent or “go time” until I was hunched over saying, “You’re not taking this seriously enough!!”

Eli, who is a very attentive, supportive, sensitive partner, then quickly rushed to get the bags in the car and we made our way to the hospital. Hindsight 2020: it’s probably good he took time to eat before!

After we parked in the UNC Rex Women’s Center lot, I walked to the end of the car and felt a gush of water trickle down my sweatpants. Yep – my water broke in the hospital parking lot.

The Active Labor

After my water broke things moved very quickly. We checked into the hospital, were placed in a room, and told our parents and family things were happening. The contractions – which started out as one dull, steady pain – were beginning to intensify and become rhythmic. At that point the exciting, nerve wracking realization hit us that we were in fact having a baby within the next 24 hours.

At 7:25pm I was 2cm dilated and 80% thinned. The baby’s head was low and the doctor said that pressure should help with labor progression. And let me tell you – it did. The pain was quickly growing stronger so I opted for some IV pain meds while we waited for the epidural which was running behind.

The nurse checked in on us regularly, brought me juice and a popsicle, repositioned me a couple times, and gave me a second dose of pain medication around 8:15pm. Eli kept the atmosphere really positive and held my hand as the contractions became more extreme.

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Eli kept the atmosphere really positive and held my hand as the contractions became more extreme.

At 9:30pm the anesthesiologist was finally available to give me the epidural. I was nervous but focused on Eli holding my hands. When I say the epidural gave me IMMEDIATE relief… It was truly a Godsend. I could still feel the pressure of baby and the pressure grew greater as the night went on – but the pain and discomfort was way more manageable.

The Delivery 

At 1am on March 1st I was dilated to 7cm. By 1:45am I was at 10cm with an incredible urge of what felt like needing to use the restroom. After a 30% progression in a mere 45 minutes – I was ready to push! I pushed for a quick 30 minutes – and with the support of Eli and my medical team – Enoch Benton Batkoski arrived at 2:17am. Baby and mama were healthy and happy.

All in all, I look back on my labor and delivery as an extremely empowering, beautiful experience. Was birthing my baby hard? It was the most physically strenuous thing I’ve ever done. Was it painful? Yes. But it was also the most euphoric experience meeting my son, hearing his first little cry, holding him in my arms for the first time, seeing his sweet face, giving him his first kiss. These tender moments will be engrained on my heart forever.

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It was the most euphoric experience meeting my son, hearing his first little cry, holding him in my arms for the first time, seeing his sweet face, giving him his first kiss. These tender moments will be engrained on my heart forever.

This experience strengthened my relationship with myself, my husband, and God. It’s made me appreciate my body for growing, sustaining, and delivering this precious life – creating a newfound respect for my instincts, inner strength, and resilience as a woman. It bonded Eli and I even closer than I could’ve ever understood prior to having my baby. And meeting our tiny gift has been the greatest blessing – seeing the Lord’s greatness take form in the miracle of new life.

I’m so thankful for our UNC Rex medical team for making me feel safe and at ease for the entirety of our stay, for my incredibly supportive husband who was my greatest caretaker, advocate, and source of encouragement, and for the safe arrival of our beautiful boy.

For those of you who are expecting, anticipating, anxious, or straight-up scared for your labor and delivery – I hope my story brings a bit of comfort. The woman’s body is incredibly powerful and capable of amazing things. Becoming a mom is truly a blessing and your precious gift will make everything before, during, and after your L&D worth it. 

Hey Mamas

If you are looking for a space of encouragement and support, we’ve created an online community for creative businesses owners navigating parenthood: Creative Mamapreneur.

Credits

Photography: Victoria Vasilyeva Photography