I am a first time mother and had no idea what I was getting myself into. Naturally, I signed up for birthing classes through the hospital. I learned about things from body changes, birth plans, to what to expect the day of. I am totally grateful to my instructor for giving me all the information she did, but boy was it different than I thought!  

I start feeling contractions 3 days before my new date. Like I was instructed to do so, I counted how far apart they were. They were all over the place, so I knew I was okay. The next day was a different story.  My contractions were 5 minutes apart!  The magic number was 5!  So what do my husband and I do, go to the hospital. We were sent home because I wasn't dilating. I was so upset and confused. If in class I was told to go to the hospital whe contractions were 5 minutes apart, why was I sent home?  My husband, Chase, was super supportive and made sure I stayed positive.  We got home and walked out neighborhood so much that he got sunburnt. We went to our favorite restaurant for the last time by ourselves and ordered spicy food. That night I was up all night with terrible contractions. I knew it was time!

At 7am April 28, we head to the hospital. I wasn't progressing, but was admitted because my contractions were so close together. With my birth plan in hand, I set up in my room for the longest day of my life. I wanted a natural child birth with no pain meds. I lasted 8 hours in the hospital until an epidural was given. I was totally upset with myself, but it was the worst pain I had ever felt in my life!  Chase was very reassuring that it was okay and that I was doing an awesome job. If I wanted to get this baby out anytime soon, I had to be relaxed. 

April 29 at 5:16, our little one was born.

It was the hardest thing I had even done, but I would do it all over again.  Through it all, Chase stood by my side.  He was my rock when I was defeated. He was my light at the end of the tunnel. 

What did I learn through all of this:

- You are different than other people you know. You're birth story is going to be different. 

- What you learn in class is great, but don't think that is what it is going to be like. 

-  It's okay if you don't follow your birth plan. You're baby will be perfect!

- You're husband is awesome.  He will do anything you ask him to, even change your pads!

- Breathe!  It will all be okay.