I always like hearing about other moms’ birth stories. Probably because being a mother is a shared human experience, and hearing other moms’ stories makes motherhood feel less lonely. The interesting thing about pregnancy is that certain parts get attention, like the lack of sleep, nausea, and growing pains. Still, many parts don’t get talked about, like the postpartum pain, learning about breastfeeding, and hormonal changes. It’s such a beautiful experience that I don’t want to forget. While this isn’t my typical blog post, I just wanted a place to document my pregnancy and birth experience and share it with other moms.
First Trimester
It was a Monday morning, and I was travelling to Durham, NC, for work. I remember we were getting ready like any other morning, and my husband opened the fridge, and I felt like I was going to gag. I thought to myself, “The fridge smells horrible,” but I didn’t say anything and kept going about my morning. Then I went to the gym to get in a workout before my flight took off later that day, and my workout just felt a bit off. I didn’t have my usual energy and just went through the motions. I thought that was weird too.
I decided to open my phone to check when my period was supposed to come, and it was supposed to be today, so I decided, why not just take a pregnancy test? It’ll be negative. Well… after those two long minutes waiting for the test results, I saw two faint lines on the test. No way!
I was pregnant.
So many emotions, and I still had a plane to catch.
I remember approaching that work week differently than others, like I had a secret. Well, because I did!
When I got home on Friday, I was so excited to surprise my husband. I went to Old Navy and bought a 4th of July-themed infant swimsuit, and I put it and the pregnancy test in a gift bag on the counter. The look on his face and his speechlessness were some of the most exciting moments I’ve ever experienced. We were going to be parents together.
The first trimester was filled with exhaustion and nausea. I wasn’t one to fall asleep on the couch, but I could go to bed by 7 p.m. almost daily. I was okay if I ate small, frequent meals—mostly carbs. However, I was blessed that it didn’t last long before I started feeling good again.
Second Trimester
Things went back to normal for the most part, except for the headaches. I had daily headaches for a while, but they went away after a few weeks.
I also love talking about pregnancy food cravings. Before being pregnant, I hated, more like despised eggs, but I craved them in the second trimester and started eating them almost daily. I was shocked. I genuinely believe babies have a way of getting the nutrients they need, and this was my baby’s way of saying, “Hey mom, eat more eggs!” Eggs are high in choline, a necessary nutrient for fetal brain development.
I am thankful and blessed to have had a mild pregnancy experience. After the first couple months, I went about my habits and routines: I strength trained 5-6 days a week, walked, ate most of the same foods, and went about my daily routine.
Third Trimester
This is where things started getting uncomfortable for sleep, and the growing pains were real. I am so thankful for my Nuuly orders. I tried not to buy many maternity clothes, and I would use Nuuly to feel pretty and comfortable, especially when working in a business workplace. I highly recommend renting Nuuly if you are pregnant and nothing feels like it’s working in your closet.
The chiropractor and exercise were my saving graces. Weekly adjustments and stretching were very helpful in keeping the pain bearable. I highly recommend both if you are pregnant!
At my 30-something week appointment, I had an ultrasound that changed everything.
My doctor said, “Well, baby is upside down. Her head is here and it should be here,” as she pointed to the ultrasound monitor. My mind went swirling, what does this mean?! We talked through options and at my hospital the doctors don’t allow vaginal births for breech babies. I was given tons of information and encouragement that the baby might flip on her own.
Well, I tried everything to get my baby girl to flip. Inversions, chiropractor appointments, meditation, ECV procedure– you name it, I most likely tried it. And to be honest, my spirits were starting to wane. I had such a beautiful pregnancy, and I wanted to control the outcome, but baby girl was NOT flipping.
Our only option left was to schedule a c-section.
The delivery
If you are a mama of a scheduled c-section, then you understand it’s a very odd feeling being able to go into the hospital knowing you are coming out with your baby. I expected my birth story to be like the ones in the movies– you know, water breaking, running around the house to grab our hospital bags, and speeding to the hospital. But no, it was a very low-key experience.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, my husband and I casually went into the hospital, and I got prepped for our c-section and into the operating room we went.
Anyone who has had a c-section has their own experience, but I did not like the c-section. While you can’t feel anything, you can feel pressure and tugging while they work on you. Interestingly, getting the baby out was the fastest part, but all the other stuff takes a long time. When they showed me my baby girl, my husband and I were shocked by how much hair she had. She had a full head of dark brown hair!
Since I was under anesthesia, I was so out of it for a few hours, which was a strange experience. However, we went back to our delivery room and I got to hold my baby girl and feed her for the first time—a truly empowering and emotional experience. I wasn’t sure if I would breastfeed, but once the time came, I was so fascinated by the fact that I could feed my baby.
We stayed in the hospital for 3 days– I don’t think I slept at all the first night because I was so over the moon. And then we were headed home with a newborn baby just like that.
Fourth Trimester
I think my postpartum experience was the most challenging part of my whole pregnancy.
About 2 weeks after I gave birth, I started feeling ill, like I had the flu. I already had mastitis once since giving birth, so I went into the emergency room (on Father’s Day, nonetheless). I was in so much pain and ended up getting admitted to the hospital for an infection for four days. My sweet mom stayed with me for those days so my husband could be home with my stepson. I was given antibiotics and monitored closely during my stay. I started feeling better a few days in, and by the end of my stay, I was ready to go home and be in my own space again. My baby girl stayed with me the whole time because I was exclusively breastfeeding at this time, too, and she honestly did great.
I experienced mastitis a few more times in my postpartum journey, and, sadly, my milk supply kept dropping. I didn’t expect to like breastfeeding, but I did, and oh, the mom guilt around feeding your baby is far too real. I did the best I could for the time I did feed her, but ultimately, formula was a better choice for her and me. People have many opinions about feeding your baby, and the best reminder my husband gave me is that I did it for as long as I could. Along those same lines, my sister-in-law told me that sacrificing my mental health and stressing myself out to feed her isn’t worth it either. It can be a very lonely feeling–feeling like you failed, but you’re doing your best, and I did the best I could for the time I fed her.
One Year
When people say that time flies with a newborn, believe them. I can’t believe I have a one-year-old daughter. The year feels like it went by in the blink of an eye. I look back on pictures of her from her first few months of life and how much has changed, and how much we get to experience together. I have wanted to be a mom my entire life– ever since I was playing with my American Girl Bitty Baby twins. Becoming a mom is my favorite title I’ve ever received.
As a reminder to myself, it did get easier. The baby eventually started sleeping through the night, and the schedule formed, and our lives feel like our baby girl has always been part of them, just as it should be.
Thanks for reading. I’m going to snuggle my baby girl while I can.
Sarah
Sarah Hawk is a Web Designer and tech educator in Rochester, MN who helps health and beauty business owners ditch tech overwhelm. With a background in teaching and pharmaceutical sales, she blends strategy, design, and education to help service providers launch websites that look professional, feel aligned, and support real business growth, without the confusion. When she’s not behind the computer, she loves aesthetic coffee shops, systems, strength training, and testing new recipes for her family.
Explore web design services and resources at bysarahhawk.com
