10 things I've learned in the past 10 days

In the past 10 days I've spent 4 days in the hospital, given birth, and taken care of my baby boy. I've learned a lot of new things, but here are the 10 that stood out to me most.

1. If a man is willing to stand by you through labor and delivery and not run screaming afterward, he deserves to be bragged about to everyone. I actually yelled at my boyfriend to not touch me while he was holding my leg up so I could push. He dealt with lots and tears and grumpiness in the 24 hours before Owen was born, and I tell all my friends and family how wonderful he is. Of course in the moment of pain and wanting to give up, I didn't quite appreciate him enough, but I hope I'm slowly making it up to him.

2. It is possible for a baby to scream for 7 hours straight and no matter how much you hold him, feed him, and change him, he won't calm down.

3. When you're in labor, you'll want to hit the nonexistent quit button multiple times at least once.

4. There is no shame in getting an epidural. I never really gave it a second thought when I said I didn't want an epidural. I didn't want to be confined to a bed half the time I was in labor because I couldn't feel half my body. Mind you that was before they broke my water and the back labor was unbearable. Basically my point is, if you need it, get it and don't feel bad or weak because of it.

5. If your baby looks like you, you'll start to feel better about yourself. I've always been a bit insecure, but when I saw my beautiful baby and realized he looks like me, I actually felt beautiful, even after just giving birth.

6. Your nails grow like crazy when you're in in hospital for 4 days.

7. A lot of unexpected things happen during labor and delivery.  I had a forceps delivery, yelled at the love of my life, and vomited twice.

8. No matter how much you though you loved your baby while he or she was inside you, you will love them so much more after they're born. When the doctor handed Owen to me, I thought my heart would explode from all the love I was flooded with (along with all the other emotions)

9. The things people tell you about labor, delivery, and taking care of your little one are either absolute lies (Someone told me that contractions are just really bad cramps) or absolute truths (like how much you'll talk about bodily fluids, your baby's and your own)

10. You learn to multitask better than you'd imagine. Texting back all the people who keep checking on you while pumping and supervising tummy time with the little man is a daily occurrence.