#storq

Halsey wears the Storq Cozy Rib Nursing and Sleep Bra in Slate ($48.00 USD) 

LABOR

A few weeks before I unexpectedly went into early labor, I became intrigued with asking my friends and family their labor stories and even going online to read about other labor experiences! I was terrified of the unknown. What would the contractions feel like? How will I handle the pain? Can I really successfully have a natural birth? Am I strong enough for this? 

And before I knew it, my baby girl had decided to come early. I was in the middle of shipping bundles for the month and I had expected ten days or so later - and sure enough, my mucus plug came out. I went to the bathroom and saw a little bit of blood and I immediately thought, "oh shit! is it really happening now?!" I wasn't even packed. I wasn't even prepared. It was 1 am and all I had planned for was to enjoy my Sunday working on the shipment. 

I immediately called my doctor and at the time, I wasn't feeling much of any contractions, so she told me to go to sleep for the night. About 30-45 minutes later, I felt the contractions occur much more frequently and I just couldn't sleep. I called the doctor again letting her know the contractions were about 3 to 5 minutes a part and she said, "Sounds about right. You should come in." And there we were, at around 2:30am, packing our bags and going to the hospital.

When we arrived, I was about 3cm dilated and my contractions were stronger and stronger over time. I survived 12 hours of natural labor and just couldn't get to 10cm. I planned for a natural birth, but like they say, birthing never goes your way. They opted for me to get a c-section or an epidural, and I chose epidural. Another 12 hours later, and 3 hours of pushing, my Indie Rey Contino finally entered this world! (After 27 hours!)

Now that I am a mom - I understand now. It's a full circle. Love Your Mother. The women body is a temple of adaptation and creation. It's absolutely incredible what we can do. The strength and will power to give birth is one thing, but mothering and loving another human being forever is an incredible gift and journey that I am so lucky to experience.  We try our best every day, and to be a mom and try to accomplish everything else - well, I think all moms are super heros and unicorns. xx - Annie

Follow my motherhood journey on @alittlebundle + @annielinco

HOSPITAL BAG

This is what I had planned for the hospital, and everything fit in my Birdling bag! 

FOR THE BIRTH -Birthing ball -James Fox Co gown (instead of getting this gown bloody, I wore the hospital gown and wore this after birth) -Slippers (easy slip on because you really don't have time - for anything!) -Pillows (2) -Speakers for music (this was only used when I got the epidural. There's really no time for this in natural birth for me.)

FOR INDIE REY -Goat Milk NYC - Sleeveless onesie -Babysoy - hat and mittens -Aden & Anais - Swaddle FOR ME AFTER BIRTH -Blanket of my own (I love being comfortable in my own things.) -Everlane tees -Storq leggings -Jcrew Pajama set -Belly Bandit Nursing Bra -Belabumbum robe -I wear the headress headband

LABOR

A few weeks before I unexpectedly went into early labor, I became intrigued with asking my friends and family their labor stories and even going online to read about other labor experiences! I was terrified of the unknown. What would the contractions feel like? How will I handle the pain? Can I really successfully have a natural birth? Am I strong enough for this? 

And before I knew it, my baby girl had decided to come early. I was in the middle of shipping bundles for the month and I had expected ten days or so later - and sure enough, my mucus plug came out. I went to the bathroom and saw a little bit of blood and I immediately thought, "oh shit! is it really happening now?!" I wasn't even packed. I wasn't even prepared. It was 1 am and all I had planned for was to enjoy my Sunday working on the shipment. 

I immediately called my doctor and at the time, I wasn't feeling much of any contractions, so she told me to go sleep for the night. About 30-45 minutes later, I felt the contractions occur much more frequently and I just couldn't sleep. I called the doctor again letting her know the contractions were about 3 to 5 minutes a part and she said, "Sounds about right. You should come in." And there we were, at around 2:30am, packing our bags and going to the hospital.

When we arrived, I was about 3cm dialated and my contractions were stronger and stronger overtime. I survived 12 hours of natural labor and just couldn't get to 10cm. They opted for me to get a c-section or an epidural, and I chose epidural. Another 12 hours later, and 3 hours of pushing, my Indie Rey Contino finally entered this world! (After 27 hours!)

Now that I am a mom - I understand now. It's a full circle. Love Your Mother. The women body is a temple of adaptation and creation. It's absolutely incredible what we can do. The strength and will power to give birth is one thing, but mothering and loving another human being forever is an incredible gift and journey that I am so lucky to experience.  We try our best every day, and to be a mom and try to accomplish everything else - well, I think all moms are super heros and unicorns. xx - Annie

Follow my motherhood journey on @alittlebundle + @annielinco

HOSPITAL BAG

This is what I had planned for the hospital, and everything fit in my Birdling bag! 

FOR THE BIRTH -Birthing ball -James Fox Co gown (instead of getting this gown bloody, I wore the hospital gown and wore this after birth) -Slippers (easy slip on because you really don't have time - for anything!) -Pillows (2) -Speakers for music (this was only used when I got the epidural. There's really no time for this in natural birth for me.)

FOR INDIE REY -Goat Milk NYC - Sleeveless onesie -Babysoy - hat and mittens -Aden & Anais - Swaddle FOR ME AFTER BIRTH -Blanket of my own (I love being comfortable in my own things.) -Everlane tees -Storq leggings -Jcrew Pajama set -Belly Bandit Nursing Bra -Belabumbum robe -I wear the headress headband