by Rebecca K.

Created on: July 24, 2009

Before a woman even goes into the hospital to deliver her first baby, she knows she's got a long road ahead of her, especially if it's her first child. A woman can spend anywhere from 15 hours or more in labor with another hour or so of pushing. This is not meant to scare or discourage mothers to be, but to give an accurate portrayal of the event. While birth is hard, the rewards are great and that is why the whole thing is actually a really good deal.

Birth to me was a great relief. I knew it was going to be a long day that August morning in 2007 when I had my first real contraction. At last my first baby was going to be born! The end of my pregnancy like many women was uncomfortable. I felt like a blimp, very squished and was having Braxton Hix contractions frequently. I just wanted to have the baby already so when the contractions started to come irregularly and then as hours passed, more regular, I was more than happy to endure them.

Sure they hurt, but I knew more importantly that these contractions were just my body doing it's job and were nothing to worry about. I spent my day as relaxed as I could, even trying to take a nap- unsuccessfully. I wrote down on a tablet the time of each contraction so we could judge when to go to the hospital. My husband came in to check on me and with contractions about five minutes apart hauled me into the car to make the trip. I was sort of in denial I guess, because I thought I'd go take a shower then see about going.

A nurse informed me I was already at 7cm, which was pretty good I thought for being unmedicated. I did decide to have some pain medication soon after and it was a good thing because about the time I hit the transition phase, I was also hit with back labor. I won't lie here, I was in the worst pain of my life. I also worried about my poor baby's head being pounded against my vertebra with each ferocious contraction. Finally it was time to push, thank god!

The actual pushing part was a great relief. My back didn't hurt hardly when I pushed with each contraction. Within 45 minutes my son entered the world. Soon as I held my child, the pain I was in became a distant memory. All I cared about was the baby, his sweet little eyes gazing into mine- it was love at first sight.

So childbirth is painful, it's difficult but once you hold your little one for the first time, all of that will seem more than worth it. After all, what's one long day compared to all the wonderful days of smiles and giggles your child will give you?

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