Let's Talk About Childbirth | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
popular

Let's Talk About Childbirth

The good, the bad, and the very ugly parts of childbirth

1018
Let's Talk About Childbirth

Can we just take a moment to appreciate every single mother who has ever conceived, carried, and birthed a child?? Every single one of you are angels and deserve an endless supply of diamonds, vacations, coffee, pedicures, puppies, tacos and all of the other amazing things this world has to offer. Seriously, pat yourself on the back.

As if sharing your body with someone else, and literally having someone feed off of all things good wasn't enough, we also have to push that person out of our lady parts. I know all pregnancies are different, but my little one was a monster while she lived inside of me. I spent 9 months with my head in a toilet. I couldn't wait to get her the heck out of me. As I got further along, and began losing control of my bladder as well, I began peeing all over myself while I threw up. So that was fun. I couldn't even get mad at my dog anymore for having accidents cause she literally just watched me pee all over the floor too. I couldn't let my dog think I was a hypocrite, right?

The last month of pregnancy consists of sleeping, running into everything, hating everyone who is having their baby before you, repeatedly saying "nope, no baby yet," and thinking every last thing is an indicator of labor. I seriously am considering printing my google history for my baby to read someday, so she knows not only the totally random things that my body went through to grow her, but also how desperately I wanted to meet her. I'll be honest, I got lucky and wasn't as ginormous as some mamas get, but I still gained 60lbs throughout my pregnancy (after I had lost 20lbs in the beginning). I felt like a hippopotamus. And if you didn't know this, hippopotamuses are actually not cute little chubby animals, they're actually one of the most aggressive and unpredictable animals in the world. That was me, pregnant.

When I finally was ACTUALLY in labor, everything became a blur. I was 40 weeks on the DOT. (Mama's girl is punctual just like ME, God bless.) My water broke. It wasn't like in the movies, though. I don't think any of those women had underwear on because it wasn't like my vagina became some commercial grade squirt gun that shot through my clothes. But it was a significant wetness. Like I uncontrollably pissed myself, but in a different way than I had done a thousand times while pregnant. I felt like I was in the twilight zone as I got dressed, and stared at myself in the mirror. "So.. I guess this means I'm going to have a baby today." (Yeah right, after 21 hours of labor, it was actually the next day.) You'd think I would be in a hurry and panicked and what not, but I moved like a snail. I think I was scared, more than anything. For the first time in my pregnancy I kinda hoped she would just stay in there.

I got to the hospital, after I drove myself. I wasn't having contractions but can I still get some mom props for that? And BECAUSE I wasn't having contractions, I STILL had to be induced. After all my walking, pedicures, spicy food and nipple stimulation, I STILL couldn't avoid being induced. One of the first things they ask you when you are in labor is what kind of pain management you're hoping to use. My answer was "I don't want an epidural. I want to try without." As Dwight from the office would say, "idiot." By the time they started pumping Pitocin into my body I was begging them to shove a 7cm needle into my spine. What they don't tell you about epidurals is that you're not totally numb. You still feel pressure. I associate pressure with pain because I'm a big ole baby.

Once it was time to push, I shot back into the twilight zone. Everything around me moved in slow motion, and I was wishing it would speed up and get over with already. Anyone who knows me knows I am absolutely obsessed with my husband, but as he casually glanced at the little TV playing Friends, unfazed by pain in between my contractions, I kind of hated him a little bit. At one point, I asked if he could take over. Apparently, not possible????

Everyone says how beautiful and natural childbirth is, and I couldn't have had stronger feelings DOUBTING that as a 7lb 9oz baby slid out of me. What was beautiful however, was every moment that followed. I was still in a fog (or drugged, one of the two) but my heart was overwhelmed with the amount of love that poured out of me and into my sweet baby girl. I went from hating my husband, to loving him so much more than I ever have before because he had given me the most amazing gift I could never deserve. I had completely forgotten everything this little turd had put me through. She could do no wrong. The sound of her fresh screech was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. When I peered into her wandering, curious eyes I knew I would go through it all again a million times.

Now everyone focuses on the awfulness of the actual childbirth that nobody tells you about the awfulness that follows childbirth. Sure, it was great to not have a period for nine months, but you're going to bleed enough for all 9 periods after the baby comes out. Mama, your baby ain't the only one in diapers. And if you tear, yes, TEAR from hole to hole, taking your first poop after having the baby might even be scarier than actually having the baby. Enjoy your new reconstructed asshole, ladies. Your hospital stay is frustrating because every time you finally get all the visitors out of the room, and your baby to sleep, and think that you might finally get some rest, a nurse enters the room and bellows the word "VITALS!" You also will enter a new hormonal rollercoaster which hits harder than it ever did on any period or pregnancy. If you are like me, you will uncontrollably sob in the middle of the night and have absolutely no idea why.

It isn't all bad though. The meal you eat after pushing out a baby, will taste better than every Thanksgiving dinner combined, no matter what it is. The hospital also provides some pretty BOMB underwear. (make sure you steal as much of them as you can before you go home) Having a baby was also the fastest, most efficient diet known to man if you leave out the part that pregnancy is the reason you gained so much weight in the first place. And of course the best of all, you have an adorable baby that is impossible to not absolutely adore. She will look at you with her big eyes, and you will see that you are her entire world, and now she is yours.

When I was younger when asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always had the same answer. I wanted to be a mom. Despite all of the times I balled on my bathroom floor telling my husband he is never getting laid again while I wipe puke from my mouth, despite the many sleepless nights before and after the baby arrives, and despite my physique being completely destroyed and the many tiger stripes that now cover my body… helping my daughter enter this world is by far my greatest accomplishment and I would do it a thousand times over again. The start of motherhood is often rough and rocky, and I don't expect parenthood to be any different, but the love that fills my heart outweighs the trials by the trillions. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

595
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

447142
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20335
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43655
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments