What is labor like? Is everything everyone tells you about childbirth true?

I poured into blog article, after blog article before having Mae. I wanted to know everything! I took classes at our hospital, departing each time with a notepad full of new notes and binder in tow.

Yet, with all of this, I STILL felt like there were things I wished I would have known. Here are my top ten:

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Having a Baby

1. What contractions and labor are really like

Contractions felt, at first, like stomach cramps or like gas.

They progressed to feel like really bad menstrual cramps. I woke up at 5 am with the barely noticeable “cramps” and four hours later (because they were consistent and becoming more noticeable) I knew I had to be in labor. I was surprised. On TV, you see women’s water breaking and tons of pain. It was more like a mild pressure for a minute or two, every couple of minutes. Ten hours after I had felt the first “cramps” at 5 am, the pressure became more painful. An hour after the pain started, it became so intense, I was throwing up after each contraction but not for long. I had an epidural, which was painless and amazing. No more throwing up!

Fifteen hours after the epidural, I had Mae. That was 26 hours of labor total (that I knew of because I woke up around 5 am with contractions) but honestly only a couple hours of labor were truly painful. I know not all people choose an epidural. For me, I felt it was right. It was a crazy feeling too. I could feel pressure well (so I could push) but I did not feel pain.

I read many articles on what to pack in my hospital bag, preparing for the big day. I loaded our bags up with everything everyone said to pack! We used almost none of it. I felt so silly lugging around those huge bags. We had to leave the hospital several times, waiting for further dilation. Each time we carried the heavy bags in and out. Finally, a couple of the nurses kindly offered to stow our bags in a closet so we wouldn’t have to keep bringing them in!

Now that I know EXACTLY what we’ll need, I revised the list for baby number two and for other moms to use as well!

HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST, FOR MOM TO BE + FREE PRINTABLE

Pack your hospital bag at least a month before you are due or whenever is best for your situation. Make a list of what you still need to pack the day of (like your phone, phone charger, toothbrush etc. I have a sample list below). Finally, pick the bag up and make sure the weight is comfortable. I mistakingly brought along all kinds of comfy clothes and pjs for delivery. I didn’t put on clothes the entire time I was in the hospital! I wore the gowns (and one that I had bought). That way, with all the leaks, I could just change to a different gown. Yes, I said leaks.

If you are a super organized person like I am, check out these medium packing cubes from Amazon. I snagged a weekender bag from 5 Cities (because it’s low cost and cute) then labeled these packing cubes. If you don’t have packing cubes, beware! They are addicting for all things organization and travel!