Let’s be real and all admit that pregnancy and motherhood are the two most physical things we could ever imagine going through. Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredible, but difficult.
My pregnancy was typical in the beginning. The first trimester I was tired and little sick but nothing terrible. The second trimester I felt amazing other than starting contractions at 21 weeks. They weren’t bad, maybe 1-4 a day, but they were irritating. I continued to sail along and hit a big road bump at 31 weeks. My contractions picked up to 7-10 an hour and so went to the hospital. It was so scary thinking we might have a baby pre-term but we were able to get everything under control. From that point forward bed rest was suggested. (Just so everyone knows, my contractions were Braxton Hicks but since they came so often it was the most exhausting and uncomfortable feeling. It’s like doing an AB workout all day long!!) So I layed in bed for the next 6 weeks until she decided to come. HEAVEN.
My labor was quick and uneventful (in a good way). The most eventful thing was me having to wait almost an hour for the doctor to finish his lunch! I was so fortunate to only push a few times. I honestly think the months of contractions made my labor easy and my body was just ready. After delivery, it was magical, the best 2 hours of my life before the worst night of my life….
After our family scattered to eat and run errands Andrew went to bathe Olivia. I was alone in our room and decided to catch up on text messages and phone calls from friends and family sending us well wishes. After about 30 minutes of sitting there, I felt something was off. Andrew walked in about that time with Liv and suggested we call my nurse. She came down and said she needed to push on my stomach a few times……I hemorrhaged. Both nurses literally jumped back, Andrew went silent, and I knew this could be it.
After 4 long hours of waiting for blood, we started my blood transfusion. I would not have made it if it wasn’t for modern medicine, I can’t explain to you how truly blessed our little family is!!
So fast forward 9 months and I am still coming to terms with the whole thing. I was white/green for about 2 months due to the amount of blood loss in addition to a new baby and trying to get healthy post-labor. Not to mention dealing with postpartum (this is a whole other story I will share with you one day). To all of you with a difficult pregnancy, miscarriage, delivery and post-labor story, you’re not alone.
Talk about your fears. Talk about how you feel (you can feel however you want). Reach out to someone that feels like home. It’s normal to have these feelings. And it takes a village to take care of that new baby! My biggest struggle in life is to keep it together. As life goes on God continually shows me that I can’t… we aren’t perfect but He is. Greater is he that is in me. So be vulnerable. Be open. Keep your people around you. God designed us all to be family and lean on one another. Share your story.
Be blessed Gorgeous!
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