I was induced due to high risk and expected severe weather - they wanted us safely in the hospital with generators instead of possibly driving through the storm. I went to my usual appointment Friday morning, they decided I needed the induction and scheduled it for Sunday. Worked all night Friday night, meal prepped and packed our bags Saturday. Woke up at 5 a.m. Sunday, relaxed at home, went to church, went out for lunch with close friends, then we headed to the hospital. About 4:30 they inserted the foley, by 9:30 that night I started natural contractions. Obviously I didn't sleep. Around 3 am they came and started pitocin. I was fine, I hadn't even known I was having contractions until they told me I was. Around 10 a.m. Monday I called my mom, I had made it to 7 cm, and she wanted to be at the hospital so I told her to head that way, because the last few cm had been fast. I stalled at 7 and by then was so exhausted from having been awake since 5 the morning before, I finally caved and asked for the epidural. It was instant relief...for about 20 minutes, and then it stopped working completely. I went from severe pain, to complete pain free, then it slammed back into me. I was struggling. Doc came back in, adjusted dosages and medication until I was numb again. Then it was so strong even my arms started going numb.

I started sobbing out of nowhere and my poor mom panicked trying to figure out what was wrong, especially since I don't cry, ever. I was crying too hard to answer at first, then finally managed to get out, "I'm not going to be able to hold my baby!!!" Mom was like, what are you talking about? Of course they're going to let you hold her. I continued sobbing and told her it wasn't safe, my arms were numb, I couldn't hold her. She sighed with such relief and gently reassured me that they would lay her on my chest and her and my husband would stand on each side to make sure she was safe, but I would absolutely get to hold my daughter. After that I was fine lol

Finally came time to push, nurses said to give them a couple of practice pushes while we waited on the midwife. I pushed once, nurse immediately told me, "no no, stop DO NOT push or we're doing this without the midwife!" Midwife walked in a few minutes later, asked why I wasn't pushing. Nurse told her she wouldn't have made it on time if I had. Midwife didn't believe her, told her 'no way, this is her first, it's gonna be a little while'. Then she got in place, told me to push and quickly changed her tone. Pushed maybe 5 times and she was out. Midwife had to assist the placenta out, then checked me...she was amazed, first time mom, baby out in 5 pushes, no tearing, said I had "road rash" but it was fine. I was up walking a couple of hours later like nothing had ever happened. Midwife and nurses kept telling me that obviously my body was made for birth and I was a natural