As a first time mom, I made the quintessential rookie mistake – I put too much stuff on my registry. Some worked out, and some didn’t. Here are my hits and misses!

Hits

Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets

These things are as awesome as everyone says. Not just for swaddling, they make great car seat covers, floor covers for tummy time, and even emergency burp clothes. We don’t use them quite as much, now that my daughter Seraphina (S) is older, but they still come in handy – I always carry one in my diaper bag.

Tiny Love Take-Along Arch

S was actually great in the car seat, but during long car trips, this thing was a life saver. She stared at it as a wee babe, and then started playing with the toys as she got older. As an almost nine month old, she still plays with it.

Lamaze Play & Grow Jacques the Peacock

S loves this thing. She loved the black and white pattern on his wings when she was small, and she continues to chew on him and is mesmerized by the different kinds of fabric on his body. We actually have two Jacques, after one of them had a run-in with our weirdo, stuffed animal eating cat and lost part of his face. S loves him, beak or no!

Bumkins Waterproof Bib

S started on solids at 5 months. She insisted on putting the spoon in her mouth by herself, a habit she continues to this day. It’s great for her development, and I’m proud of my independent gal, but it means that meal time is an absolute mess. Regular bibs never worked, and we ruined quite a few outfits from those pesky avocado stains. But – this bib rocks! It not only prevents food from getting on her chest, but also keeps food from getting on her sleeves. After she eats, we hose it down and let it dry before the next meal.

Misses

Fischer-Price Snugabunny Bouncer

In short, S hated this. I’ve heard that some babies are swing babies and some are bouncer babies. S loved her swing (most of the time), but never liked the bouncer. I would recommend waiting until your little one is born and borrowing a bouncer and/or swing from a friend and see what he or she prefers. Trust me – the baby gear will consume your life if you let it! The less you have, the better.

Colic Calm, Gripe Water, Gas Drops

We tried them all for our super fussy baby. Turns out she had a milk protein allergy – once she was on the correct formula, the fussiness disappeared. Some people swear by them, but homeopathic medicines can be hit or miss. Best not to buy these until your little one is here.

Fisher-Price Rock n Play Sleeper

A registry favorite. Touts itself as a sleeper (which can be placed beside mom and dad’s bed) and is supposed to help with reflux (which S had pretty severely). I was never super comfortable with her sleeping in it – it didn’t seem as safe as a traditional bassinet or co-sleeper. Plus, her reflux? This didn’t help it at all. We ended up using it for some downstairs naps, so not a good investment for us!

Breastfeeding Supplies

I know. I was determined to breastfeed. And, despite what some breastfeeding advocates say, some people are incapable of it. Physically incapable (insufficient glandular tissue, in my case). My daughter lost 11% of her body weight within 3 days of birth and was almost hospitalized. Luckily, I had an incredibly supportive pediatrician and lactation consultant that we were real and honest with me – it doesn’t work out for everyone (though I did continue to pump – less than a ounce total a day – to give her what I could). I was truly devastated at first, and thinking of all of the breastfeeding supplies my friends and family had purchased made me feel even worse. I’m not saying you shouldn’t register for any breastfeeding supplies, but maybe not the whole she-bang (nursing covers and the like).

It’s the best thing about pregnancy.

No, I’m not talking about your right to eat all the things. Or, the fact that you can get out of anything – “Oh, you know, I don’t think I’ll be coming to [insert tedious social function here], I’m just not feeling up to it, since I’m growing a person and all.”

I’m talking about finally feeling that little bundle of joy start doing jumping jacks in your belly. As someone who had a pretty rough pregnancy, even I get a little nostalgic thinking about those quiet moments of lying in bed, watching my belly dance. It is, without a doubt, magical.

So – when should you start feeling junior?

Flutters

It might feel like a goldfish swimming in your belly, popcorn popping, or even a little poke; you can expect to feel your baby for the first time sometime between 16 and 25 weeks. 25 weeks may seem a bit late, but a lot of things will affect your ability to feel those baby kicks – whether you’re a first time mom, the baby’s positioning, etc. Don’t fret if you’ve hit 16 weeks and you’ve felt nada – there is a large range of normal here!

Once you feel that special little baby wiggling around in there, you’ll become hyper-aware and try to feel them all of the time. Thing is – even once you’ve felt your baby for the first time, it doesn’t mean that you will feel him or her all of the time, or even every day. As the weeks continue, you can expect to feel more, but don’t worry if little babe skips a day or two in the beginning.

When Can Daddy Feel the Baby?

Ok, Dad’s jealous – tell him to cool his heels. It may take a bit longer for him to feel any movement outside of your belly. Though, for what it’s worth, my husband felt our daughter for the first time the same week I started feeling her at all, so it totally varies from woman to woman.

Movement in the Third Trimester

Usually by 28 weeks or so, you are feeling your baby moving around several times a day. You may feel different kinds of movement too, like kicks/jabs and whole body rolls. You’ll probably be able to see this movement too, which may scare young children (I have to admit, it can look a little freaky). You may be able to tell when your baby is asleep, from lack of movement, and even learn their schedule, which may be quite different from yours – my daughter always enjoyed her 3am disco party.

You may have heard that baby doesn’t move as much as you get closer to your due date. You should still be feeling your baby often, but the movement will be different, since he or she is starting to run out of room in there. Less jumping jacks, more pushing and stretching.

The Important of Kick Counts

There was nothing more frightening to me while I was pregnant than the prospect of stillbirth. Doing kick counts gave me a huge peace of mind!

What are kick counts, you say?

It is basically counting (and perhaps recording) fetal movement every day. Consult your pediatrician on how to do kick counts, but here’s what did:

1. Pick a time of day that your youngster likes to party (I did them about an hour before bed).

2. A snack or cold water can help get baby moving – I’ve heard orange juice is especially effective.

3. I’d lay down in a quiet room and concentrate on my belly. I used an app on my iPad to record the kicks. Count any kind of movement – flutters, kicks, or rolls – but don’t count hiccups.

4. I’d keep counting until I got to 10 movements. Sometimes it only took 1-3 minutes, sometimes it took 15 minutes. The general recommendation is that you should get 10 movements in 2 hours. Depending on your pediatrician’s advice, you may want to either try again later if you don’t get 10 movements in 2 hours, or call your doctor. Additionally, recording fetal movement can also help you recognize trends in your baby’s movement. Should you see a downward trend in movement (it is taking longer and longer for you to get to 10 kicks over a couple of days), you should call your doctor and let them know.

Kick counts are a wonderful way to check in with your baby!

So, to the preggie ladies out there, the ones whose feet ache, who have to pee every 5 minutes, who can barely fit in their cars anymore (did anyone else have to adjust their steering wheel? Bueller?) – I have this to say. Cherish those sweet moments when you feel your baby move. You’ll miss it, I guarantee it.

Before you’ve probably shared your pregnancy news with the world (aka Facebook), your doctor may offer you a NT scan, or the nuchal translucency screening. This screening is performed towards the end of the first trimester in two parts – a blood test and a specialized ultrasound. The results are then evaluated by a physician and your baby’s risk for several different chromosomal abnormalities is calculated.

So, should you do it? There are several things to consider.

1. It may not be covered by your insurance. As an optional test, you may be footing the bill. Always check with your insurance if cost is an issue.

2. It is not a diagnostic test. The NT scan will NOT tell you if your baby has a chromosomal abnormality; it only assesses the risk. Typically, if your results show an increased risk, you will have the option to perform additional tests, such as a CVS (chorionic villus sampling), amniocentesis, or a blood test such as MaterniT21. Additionally, a low risk does not mean that your baby won’t have an abnormality, just that it is unlikely.

3. It may provide you with peace of mind – or the opposite. If you’re a worrywart, the NT scan may provide some reassurance that your little one only has a very small chance of having an issue. On the other hand, as a woman whose baby showed a high risk of down syndrome but turned out to have no chromosomal issues, I sometimes regret putting myself through all of the intense stress that accompanies such a result.

4. You want the possibility of bringing in specialzed care. The sooner you find out that your baby has a chromosomal; abnormality. the sooner that you can gather a team of specialists to support your bundle of joy once he or she arrives.

5. Ask yourself: would it matter? If the results truly would not affect the progress of your pregnancy, you may feel that the NT scan is unnecessary. Only you and your partner can make that decision!

1. The sun is your friend. Most of the time, even with the ickiest baby poop, my diapers would come out of the wash looking brand new (having a sprayer helps, I think). But, if your diapers come out of the washer looking less than perfect, just hang them up outside and let the sun do its thing. Seriously, the sun will bleach the stains right out of your diapers!

2. You might have the wrong type of washing machine. It’s true, you can wash cloth diapers in a high efficiency front loader, but you’re more apt to have issues with detergent build-up, ammonia stink, and other fun things. A good, ‘ol top loader works best – more water  = cleaner diapers. If you have a front loader, fear not – here are some tips for you.

3. You may need to rethink Junior’s wardrobe. There are few things cuter than a fluffy, cloth diapered baby booty – but that also means that said booty might not fit into clothing that is otherwise the right size. Instead of stiff jeans, go for jeggings, which have some stretch. Additionally, pick up a couple onesie extenders too! On the plus size, if you have a little lady, a colorful cloth diaper looks extra cute under a dress!

4. Always use the same diaper at the doc’s. If your babe is in a disposable diaper for their very first weight check at the pediatrician’s office (and, they probably will be, since most babies won’t fit into one size cloth diapers right away), make sure that they are in a disposable diaper each time they are weighed. Cloth diapers can add a decent amount of weight to the scale, and you want to have the most accurate reading (this is especially true if your baby is being weighed more often than normal).

5. Watch out for those diaper creams! Cloth can be a very gentle option for your baby’s bum, but if your baby has very sensitive skin, a diaper rash can be a pain to treat. Unfortunately, there aren’t very many diaper rash creams that are cloth diaper friendly and, in my experience, the ones that are aren’t that effective. It makes sense if you think about it – many rash treatments are barrier creams and a waterproof cream on your diapers means that they will start repelling liquid instead of absorbing it. You have some options though – you can use disposables with some heavy duty cream, or use fleece liners with your cloth diapers. The fleece protects your diaper from the rash creams!

When you find out that you’re pregnant, you’ll soon encounter a laundry list of things you can’t do for the next 9 months. For many new mommies to be, one of the hardest activities to give up is enjoying alcohol. Traditionally, drinking in any amount has been deemed a no-no. But some are starting to question this hard and fast rule.

One thing is for certain: heavy drinking during pregnancy is absolutely off-limits (defined as 5 or more drinks at one time). It can cause all kinds of serious issues, from birth defects to growth issues (under the umbrella of a “fetal alcohol spectrum disorder”). It can even cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.

But, what about a glass of wine here and there?

You’re probably going to get conflicting advice. This can be frustrating. For every study that suggests that any alcohol consumption could potentially harm a fetus, you will probably find another that finds that light drinking is a-okay.

So, what’s a prego to do?

Always discuss these decisions with your doctor, first and foremost. Your doctor should be someone that you trust, so their guidance will have a huge impact on your decision.

Also, decide where you fall on the pregnancy anxiety scale. If you can’t bring yourself to eat lunch meat (even heated up) or touch your cats for fear of toxoplasmosis, that sip of wine will probably cause you more stress than enjoyment, no matter how much you miss it.

The bottom line? Do your research, talk to your doctor, and make an informed decision that you’re comfortable with!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

If you think about it, the first trimester is kind of sucky. Sure, the pure elation you probably felt when you first found out you were pregnant was fantastic, but as that feeling wanes a bit and all of those fun pregnancy symptoms show up, you may catch yourself feeling less enthusiastic about the next 9 months. But, trust me, it does get better once you hit the second trimester.

In the meantime, let’s tackle the top 3 first trimester woes, and what to do about them.

Meet my new best friend, the toilet. The majority of women experience perhaps the worst pregnancy side effect, the dreaded nausea. Don’t be surprised if your “morning sickness” actually starts in the afternoon, evening, or lasts all day. Here’s what you can do about it:

1. Candy may be your friend. You can try ginger chews, or even preggy pops. I just kept some regular hard candies in my purse.
2. Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. This will keep that nausea at bay.
3. Regular nausea remedies can help too. Ginger ale, snacking on saltines, etc.
4. Having trouble keeping anything down? Be sure to let your doctor know. They may be able to prescribe something to help.

I’m…..so………sleepy……zzzzzzzz. Your body is working in overdrive to support that tiny little bundle of joy growing in your belly. And, that means that you’re going to be tired. I mean, really tired. Like “I just ran a marathon” tired, but you’ll feel that way ALL the time. Here’s what you can do about it:

1. Make like a 90 year old lady. Seriously, go to sleep at 7pm if you feel like it. No one will judge.
2. It seems counterintuitive, but light exercise like walking can help you through that “I’m going to pass out” sleepiness.
3. Meaty, meaty, meat-meat. Protein will give you longer-lasting energy and help you feel less tired (but, because of that dreaded sickness, you may not feel like a big, ‘ol slab of meat right now!)

Not being able to go…you know. So, no one really wants to talk about it, but constipation is common during pregnancy. Your body slows down your digestive system (to allow for greater nutrient absorption to feed that growing baby), but this also means that you’re left with some rather uncomfortable trips to the bathroom. Here’s what you can do about it:

1. Is your prenatal vitamin to blame? Some of them have large amounts of iron in them, which some people need and others do not. Check with your doctor about switching to a prenatal with little or no iron.
2. Drink lots of water and eat lots of fiber. Don’t knock prune juice – it definitely does help.
3. Stool softeners are your friend. Ask your doctor which one they recommend (generally, laxatives are a no-no during pregnancy, but some stool softeners are fine).
4. Get moving. Not that you will feel like it AT ALL, but light exercise can also get your digestive system moving.

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

Baby names, choosing doctors, various tests, cord blood banking, etc. etc. etc.

And, one of my favorites: what will the nursery look like? Will it be bright and colorful, sweet and soft? Gender neutral, or a pink or blue explosion? If you’re looking for some inspiration, I’ve found 10 crazy fabulous nurseries to admire!

Colorful with a Dash of Drama

(via Apartment Therapy)

This is one of my favorite nurseries. That dramatically dark gray wall makes all of the fun colors in this nursery pop! It looks put together, but not matchy-matchy at all. Plus, I have a huge crush on that fabulous rug.

Pink and Blue Chevrons

(via Project Nursery)

Holy colorful, Batman! The contrast of the soft pink chevron wall to the super bright pink and blue touches make this nursery a sight to behold. The collage of pictures above the crib and the fuzzy carpet add a unique richness for a child’s room.

Modern and Gray

(via the b-line)

A gorgeous modern nursery that could work equally well for a baby girl or boy. The colors and textiles pop against the stormy gray walls. The homemade cornices draw your attention to the crazy beautiful windows!

Starry Night

(via Apartment Therapy)

The monochromatic color scheme allows your eyes to be drawn to the beautiful star details on the ceiling. I adore the Moroccan style pouf!

Dark and Bold

(via Project Nursery)

I can’t imagine how much work that quatrefoil wall was, but it was certainly worth it! The effect is amazing, and the bold pops of red over the navy blue makes this nursery look luxe without being fussy.

Out of This World

(via Lemon Drop Life)

My little geeky heart pitter-pattered at the sight of this celestial nursery! I like the mix of old and new – the curved lines of the traditional crib with the darker walls and geometric pattern in the rug.

Airy and Light

(via Project Nursery)

This nursery is as sweet as they come – soft pastels and plush textiles create a relaxing and pretty room, perfect for a sweet little girl. The Ikea lamp adds some whimsy!

Mixing Patterns

(via Project Nursery)

Somehow the mix of patterns and colors in this nursery just works. Keeping everything simple and clean allows the bright colors to shine. Plus, every nursery could use a Dr. Seuss quote!

An Eclectic Mix of Yellow and Black

(via Design Crisis)

Now, these parents have some serious style! I love how this room is totally appropriate for a wee babe, but proves that nurseries don’t have to look babyish. Fun prints and bright yellow create a fun, stylish atmosphere.

Soft and Sweet

(via Spearmint Baby)

This nursery makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. The cloud details are whimsical and sweet and I love using cute, little baby clothes as part of the decor.

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

Do you know a Sophia? How about a Jackson?

While the Social Security Administration has not yet announced the official results, Babycenter.com has released it’s top baby names of 2013, based on the site’s membership reporting.

The top 10 girl’s names are:

1. Sophia
2. Emma
3. Olivia
4. Isabella
5. Mia
6. Eva
7. Lily
8. Zoe
9. Emily
10. Chloe

The top 10 boy’s names are:

1. Jackson
2. Aiden
3. Liam
4. Lucas
5. Noah
6. Mason
7. Jayden
8. Ethan
9. Jacob
10. Jack

This is all very interesting…but, what can we expect in 2014?

The Social Security Administration tracks name popularity, so we can see which names have experienced the largest jumps in popularity in recent years. Here are my thoughts:

1. Pop culture seems to be playing a role (with names like Arya from Games of Thrones and Rosalie from Twilight).
2. Strong, masculine names for boys are getting lots of love (Major, King, Maverick, Remington).
3. Names ending in -lyn or -lynn are all the rage for the girls (Raelynn/Raelyn, Marilyn, Adelynn).
4. Names ending in -i are becoming quite popular for the boys (Ari, Armani, Gianni)

So, what do you think? Will Arya become the next Sophia? Can Major defeat the likes of Jackson or Aiden?

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

As a newly minted parent to a sweet, little girl, I’ve got something to say to all of the other parents I know.

What the heck!?

While I got a ton of often unsolicited advice from family/my hairdresser/random strangers, I wish that someone had sat me down and said, “You’re baby is going to do some totally weird stuff. But, it’s ok – don’t freak out!” No one tells you that this little baby you’re bringing into the world will probably be the strangest person who’ve ever met. I’m here to tell you all about it!

***If you ever have any concerns about what your baby is doing, regardless of what the “internet” says is normal, please call your pediatrician!***

1. They pass gas…a lot.

I guess I knew that babies pass gas. I mean, of course they do. What I didn’t realize was how often and how loud said flatulence would be! Suffice to say that, between my husband and I, there have been a lot of “It wasn’t me”-s. Bonus – if you have the sense of humor of a 10 year old boy (like my husband and I), this trait makes for some serious giggles!

2. They breathe weird.

Snorts, grunts, squeaks – your baby will do it all. They’re noisy little beasties, even when sleeping – you’ll be jolted awake by random noises coming from the baby monitor, trust me!

3. They don’t have perfect skin.

You know how people talk about the intoxicating feel and smell of a new baby?

LIES.

Ok, not total lies, but your baby’s skin is probably going to be a little funky for a while. He or she may have some skin discoloration (like red birthmarks that gradually fade called stork bites or angel kisses – my baby had both), patches of flaky skin (like eczema or cradle cap), blotchy skin (from their still-maturing circulatory system), and even bruises (from the pushing stage of labor or if a vacuum was used during a vaginal birth). You’ll still want to kiss them all over though, trust me!

4. They have weird poop. 

I knew baby poop was different from adult poop, but I didn’t realize how different it was. Normal baby poop can come in a vast variety of colors, though it should always be pretty soft (which makes it difficult to discern when your baby has diarrhea). My baby girl has been on this earth for 1 month and has already graced us with several different colors and textures! Your baby’s poop can be a great indicator of overall health, so if you have any concerns about your baby’s stool, always give your pediatrician a ring!

5. They’re sneezy.

The first time my daughter sneezed, I almost died from the cuteness overload – she even does the “double sneeze” like her dad! But, after several sneezing bouts, I began to worry that something was wrong – was she sick? My pediatrician explained that sneezing is no biggie and can be totally normal. So, unless they are showing signs of illness, it is nothing to worry about. So, now, I just enjoy her funny sneeze faces!

6. After a vaginal birth, they really can have a crazy conehead.

I had heard about babies having coneheads, but I didn’t know just how pronounced they could be! After an hour of pushing to welcome my daughter to the world, her head looked downright alien. Plus, she had a HUGE bruise on her noggin to boot. Luckily, those cute hats they put on them hide just how insane their little heads look. You will be amazed how quickly it goes back to normal, so take heart if your baby starts out looking like something from a sci-fi movie.

7. They’re hairy – even if they don’t have much on their head.

Babies come into the world with different amounts of hair – from the baldies to the ones who look like they could star in a shampoo commercial. Even so, you may be more intrigued by hair elsewhere. I noticed patches of in weird places on my daughter, like her upper arms. It’s called lanugo – it is a covering of downy-like hair that your baby develops in utero. Except, sometimes, it hasn’t all gone away by the time they enter the world. Oh, and if your little one is born with luscious locks, don’t get too attached – much of it may fall out! This is totally normal.

8. Baby girls can have a mini period.

I didn’t encounter this one first hand (thank God). But, my pediatrician warned me that my baby girl may have a “mini period” because of my hormones roaming around in her body. I’m glad she warned me, since I probably would have lost it if I had experienced this without being prepared for it! But, seriously, how weird is this? Pregnancy hormones are crazy.

9. They do truly cry for no reason.

You’ve gone down the checklist. Fed? Check. Clean diaper? Check. No gas? Check. Comfortable temperature? Check. So, your baby should be happily cooing in your arms, right?

If only babies were this logical.

Sometimes, your baby is going to cry and you simply won’t know why. It could be something they can’t express to you (apparently hair wrapped around toes is a common baby complaint that moms just don’t think of). But, it could also be that they are simply crying. And, all those soothing techniques you learned on YouTube? Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don’t. My best advice on this is try to soothe as best you can, and put your baby down if you’re starting to feel frustrated. Once you have calmed down, come back to your baby. Contrary to what some parents say, your baby won’t cry ALL the time (it just may seem like it!). And, you will have those glorious moments of alertness without crying, I promise!

10. Once you think you have them figured out, they throw you a curve ball.

Once you think you have it all figured out (how naive of us!), they will do something totally out of the ordinary and you’ll be back to square one. Maybe your baby did well with a certain bottle brand, and is now refusing to eat. Maybe he used to love the swing, and now hates it. Maybe she develops a diaper rash even though you are religiously using diaper cream with every change. Just roll with the punches – your baby is rapidly changing and his preferences will change too!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

The result of my induction - Miss Seraphina

With a pregnancy fraught with complications (gestational diabetes and a blood clotting disorder), my OB uttered the dreaded “I” word pretty early.

Induction.

Have you ever Googled induction? It’s a smorgasbord of horror stories of 4 day long labors, emergency c-sections, NICU time for babies – especially for first time moms. You would think that no one had ever had a positive induction experience.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I thought my induction went pretty darn well and to tell you my story. I’m letting it all hang out here, so if you’re squeamish about the whole birthing process, or very long narratives, you may want to skip this one!

It was decided by myself and my OB that we would induce me right before 39 weeks (38 weeks, 5 days to be exact). Before my induction, my cervix was 80% effaced (thinned out) and soft, but not dilated at all. So, I would go to the hospital the night before my official induction date for them to place Cervidil, which is like a medicated tampon, against my cervix. The hope was that the Cervidil would prime my cervix even more, and hopefully dilate me a bit before starting Pitocin in the morning.

On the day I went into the hospital, I didn’t feel nervous. I went to a late lunch with my Mom and husband and felt pretty calm. Ready to not be pregnant anymore. I wasn’t even nervous checking into the hospital.

But, once I got into my room, it got real. I changed into my gown and I refused to sit on the bed while we were waiting for the nurse. Like, as long as I wasn’t in the bed, I could just keep being pregnant for a while. Which, I totally didn’t want but all of a sudden I was more afraid of the whole giving birth part! The nurse came in and I reluctantly got into the bed.

We talked about how the evening was going to go, hooked me up to the monitors, and attempted to insert my IV. She was having trouble finding a good spot – apparently my veins like to hide – and brought in another nurse to do it. The insertion went fine, but they placed it right where I would bend my wrist on top of my hand, so it was a little uncomfortable sometimes. But, no biggie.

Soon afterwards, the doctor came in to do a cervical check and insert the Cervidil. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a wimp about pain, but the insertion of the Cervidil was quite painful for me. But, cervical checks were always painful too, and I know some ladies can do those just fine. So, if you’re comfortable with cervical checks, I would guess that Cervidil insertion would be a piece of cake for you! Luckily, it only took a minute. But, I was weird and squirmy the whole time, despite my best efforts, and I was apologizing for being weird and the doctor was apologizing for the discomfort and everyone was just sorry for the experience!

Once the Cervidil was in, I didn’t feel much – I couldn’t really tell that it was there. I was required to stay in my bed for an hour to make sure I (or baby) didn’t have a weird reaction to the medication. After that, I could get up and go to the bathroom and even have dinner (I’ve heard that some hospitals won’t allow you to eat once you’re admitted, but mine let me eat until midnight).

So, I ate and hubby and I watched some TV until I was ready to go to sleep. They offered me a sleeping pill (Ambien), but I was kind of nervous to take it, since I had never taken a sleeping pill before. My mom, a former RN, recommended that I take it, so I did.

Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t do a thing!

I slept soundly for a couple hours, but woke up around 1-2am with uncomfortable cramping. I thought, “Ok, maybe I can sleep through this…”

Yeah, not so much!

The rest of the evening is kind of a blur. I started having what I later realized were contractions, along with terrible back pain. I woke up my husband and made him rub my back. I couldn’t get comfortable and kept messing up the fetal monitor on my belly by tossing and turning, so the nurse had to come in every 30-45 minutes to fix it. I tried, but just couldn’t stay still! I had heard of mild cramping with Cervidil, so I remember thinking, if this is just super easy contractions, how am I going to do this!? I found out later, based on the contraction monitor, my contractions during that night were just as strong as my contractions in “active labor” while on Pitocin, so that made me feel like not such a total baby!

Around 5am, the nurse came in and removed the Cervidil (another ouch!). I had to lay still for 10 minutes before I could get up and they may have been the longest 10 minutes of my life! My back was killing me. Finally, I got the ok to get up and take a shower. I felt much better after that! And, once the Cervidil was out, my contractions weren’t as strong or painful.

So, after a rough night, I was READY for my epidural. My stance on the epidural before labor was “Yes, please” and ASAP. I had asked the doctor the evening before about when I could get it, and he said that I could have it anytime I wanted – they wouldn’t make me wait until I was so-many centimeters along.

Shortly after my shower, the nurse started Pitocin and I asked about the epidural. She said I could have it anytime, but that it would be about an hour from the time I ask until I could receive it though, since they had to give me a certain amount of fluids through my IV before they call the anesthesiologist. Plus, I knew there were SEVEN ladies being induced that day and I didn’t want to be last in line for the epidural! I sheepishly looked at my husband, thinking that I was a big whiny baby for wanting it so early. But, I said the heck with it, and said I wanted it. She started the fluids.

About this time, there was a shift change, and I got the nicest nurse EVER. I wish she had been my nurse through my entire labor! Never underestimate the power of an amazing nurse.

After the fluids were done, the nurse called the anesthesiologist and he arrived pretty quickly. I still felt weird about it, since I wasn’t in any substantial pain at this point – nothing like the evening before! But, I knew that the Pitocin would be increased and I would definitely want pain relief before the rough contractions started!

Now, I know some ladies are nervous about the epidural. Honestly, I thought it was a piece of cake. The initial stick of the numbing needle did hurt a bit, but it only lasts a couple seconds and then I didn’t feel a thing. The placement was quick and easy. I was ready to be numb!

Except…

It didn’t work.

The nurse kept asking me if I could feel certain sensations on my legs (wet/cold) and I was feeling everything. One of my legs felt slightly tingly, but that was it.

I had a little panic moment – what if I was one of those women that the epidural just failed? How was I going to do this without my highly anticipated epidural!?

After 45 minutes, it was clear that the epidural just wasn’t working. The nurse was super reassuring and called the anesthesiologist. He came back and said that he wouldn’t recommend readjusting it, since, in his experience, it usually didn’t solve the problem. Instead, he decided to start all over again. For some reason, maybe because I already expected it, the stick of the numbing needle hurt even less.

And…that epidural started working right away!

Ladies – I’m here to tell you how AWESOME and WEIRD the epidural is. I expected to be totally numb from the waist down. Nope. I could feel when someone was touching me, but I couldn’t feel cold/wet sensations or pain. I kept telling my husband to pinch my leg because I couldn’t feel it! I did get the shakes, a common reaction to the epidural, but it didn’t bother me at all and I didn’t feel cold.

Finally, with the epidural in place, the doctor (another one from my same practice) came in to check my progress and break my water. I was 2 centimeters dilated – woohoo! And, the cervical check didn’t hurt in the slightest with the epidural. Then, she broke my water and the nurse got my catheter in place. Again, no pain at all.

Now, it was just time to wait and relax. The rest of the afternoon/early evening was spent talking to my mom and husband, light napping, eating sugar-free popsicles (due to my gestational diabetes), and keeping myself occupied.

Around 4pm, the doctor came in again to check my progress. I was 9 centimeters! Honestly, I was shocked. I was laughing and joking around with my family and my body was actually doing something productive that should feel like the worst pain ever!? Again, that epidural is amazeballs.

At 4:30pm, things got real. It was time to push. Two nurses came in and got my bed in the right position, helped me hold my legs, and told me when I was having a contraction so I could push.

I pushed. And, pushed. And, pushed some more.

“A Baby Story” lied to me – I thought I could push my girl out in 10 pushes or less. Ha! Definitely not.

With the two nurses and my mom and husband assisting, I pushed as hard as I could for an hour, making slow progress. At one point, the nurse decided to turn down my epidural medication – I think that was the incentive I needed to get this baby out ASAP!

For the record, I never felt ANY pain during pushing or birth. I could feel the pressure of the baby moving down, but no pain at all.

My doctor came in for the last 10 minutes or so. I kept pushing and then everyone yelled at me to stop – my girl was almost here! Her head had been in a weird position and she had finally turned it and my last push almost pushed her out before the doctor was ready! Everyone got on their splash gear (birth is messy business) and with one final push, our little girl arrived!

She was perfect.

The damage? A second degree tear. The doctor stitched me up while I held my baby girl and I never felt a thing.

In short – I was at the hospital for about 24 hours before she was born, including the overnight with Cervidil. I had painful contractions for a couple hours, but then got a fabulous epidural. Our girl’s heart rate during labor was great, so no scary moments there. And, I ended up with a vaginal birth. Not bad for an induction before 39 weeks for a first time mom with no dilation ahead of time!

So, there is my very long-winded, thorough induction story. It can be a scary proposition, but there ARE positive induction stories out there!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories.