(This won’t be graphic, so I’m not putting a trigger warning.)

I won’t throw a bunch of details your way. Suffice to say I was tired, in pain, sweaty… Well, I was all the things that every mom has ever been while in the delivery room! There was really nothing unique about my experience, except that it was my experience. I went through a turbulent 20 weeks of sickness, and then 20 weeks of pain, to get to this very special moment:

That photo was taken by my wonderful husband, just moments after my little one was born. It was induced, and everything went well, which I am SO GRATEFUL to God for 💕

I wasn’t sure if I wanted an epidural. I had looked up the procedure and the way they stick a needle in your spine creeped me out so badly!!! The entire time we were waiting, I just knew I’d put off the epidural.

Then the contractions started, and I was like “PUT IT IN MY SPINE NOW!!” hahaha Not really like that, but that pain certainly over-rode any squeamishness I had about a needle going into my spine. Push, push, he was out, and my husband said no to cutting the umbilical. And the nurses said, “Do eeeet!” and so he did 😂 I think he’s glad he did it now!

Everything was ordinary (which is the best one can hope for when giving birth!!) and again, I am SO THANKFUL to God. The midwife, nurses, and staff were all super amazing, wonderful people. Everyone was encouraging, calm, and involved. Thank goodness for good people, right? 🥰

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Here is some advice I would give my future self if I have another one:

• Sleep at the hospital. You’re excited, you want to gaze at him all day and night, but please go to sleep!
• Eat as much as you want before delivery. You’re going to throw up anyway 😝
• Find out what the hospital provides, so that you don’t bring another giant suitcase of stuff you won’t use.
• It’s going to be tough, but you can do this 💖

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Thank you for reading about my experience! If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them. Just pop it in the comments below. I know this was short and sweet, and that’s because giving birth was actually the easiest part of my pregnancy 😐 The hardest part was the first 20 weeks, but that’s a story for another time!

Take care and God bless,

Yari, the ✿ Lovely Panda Mom ✿