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5 days old

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Strangely enough the one thing that I was never concerned about was labor. The one thing that pregnant and not pregnant people are scared and worried about. Trust me, it’s not because I’m not anxious, it’s not because I didn’t know how painful it was going to be. I knew all the horror stories, the tears, the blood, possible c section, everything. No matter what story I heard I wasn’t worried – about labor that is.

I looked at labor and delivery as just another day – which it is but for some it is multiple days. I knew it was going to be an eventful experience but what I also knew was it was going to happen, and I was going to be ‘fine’. Could I poop? Ya. Could my vagina be ripped to shreds? Ya. Could I get a c section? Ya. No matter the outcome I would have a baby, and I would be fine, and ultimately I wouldn’t be pregnant anymore LOL.

I got peace with acknowledging that it’s going to happen, I will be fine, millions of people do it every year, and if it’s painful I would just get pain meds.

I fully believe that my labor and delivery was so ‘peaceful’ because I had this outlook and I was accepting what was to come. Now there was also other things that I believed helped me

• Good attitude going into it
• Love a bit of yoga and hip mobility exercises
• I learned that if you are tense in your face you’ll be tense in your vagina, so lose those frown lines when pushing
• Breath
• Get in the damn shower and have water run over you
• Be ready to go into labor and totally say TTYN to that original birth plan
• Use the damn mirror when pushing. People say “oh I’d if I could look at my vagina like that” tbh it barely looks like ya vagina at that point anyway, you won’t recognize her. The mirror helps you understand what is a good push and what is a bad push. Also for me it was lovely being able to see my cooter again after weeks of my belly blocking it. Good to see an old friend.
• Reflect on this time as more of an amazement than a fear. Amp yourself up, don’t say it like omg I have to push out a 8lb baby I’ll never survive, say it like omg yes I get to do something so crazy right now that no man could ever. Literally like oh delivery ya nbd, but men? They could never handle it.
• look in the mirror and tell yourself everyday how awesome you’re going to be at it and how it’s going to be EZPZ.
• This was also a rude thought, but think about the people you hate or loath or dislike and be like well if they could do it………. Then I can do it, and I can do it better. Lol.

Ultimately, amp yourself up, and dive into it. Make it fun, enjoy every bit of it. Touch your babies head, and kiss being pregnant goodbye.

-Jess

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