30-day-blogging-challenge

Day 5: Your Proudest Moment

DenaNovember 5, 2013

30-day-blogging-challenge

Finally an easy one, the proudest moment of my life took place on — May 7, 2013 at 5:43 a.m. — when Roman James entered the world. I was proud because I brought a life into the world but I was also proud because I did something that so many people told me (or implied) that I could not do: I gave birth naturally.

Even before we got pregnant, Matthew & I began researching birthing options. Early on, we decided that we would ideally like to have a natural birth without intervention. Of course, we were very realistic about the fact that, “When you make a plan, God laughs” and that anything could happen and so on and so forth. Whenever I said that I would like to have a natural childbirth, I also added that anything could happen and, in the end, the important thing would be a healthy, happy mama & baby. However, all throughout my pregnancy people wanted to rain on my parade! Many people literally laughed in my face when I said that I wanted to have a natural childbirth. The most common response that I heard was a very snarky — Oh, you say that now, but just wait… I am not sure why so many people (mostly women, by the way, both mothers & non-mothers) found it necessary to mock me and doubt me in this way. It was very hurtful. I tend to be non-confrontational, so I never fired back. I would always reply with a kind, Yes, you’re right. Only time will tell. One can’t really plan these things.

But then the day came & the pain came & I.FLIPPING.DID.IT!

Yes, I pushed so hard that my insides literally popped out. Yes, I pushed so hard that every blood vessel in my face popped. Yes, I tore substantially & I screamed like hell. BUT I STILL DID IT. And, really, if you know me at all, you know that I am not one to boast — but to all of those snide-asses who didn’t think I could… IN YOUR FACE! Ha! This is the first time I am saying any of this publicly. In fact, I’ve never even said this privately. It’s important, though. Don’t doubt people. Each of is stronger than we could ever imagine.

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If you are participating in my blogging challenge, please leave a link below in the comments so that we can all check it out! Also, you can click here to read all of the posts in this series. xo

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Comments (18)

  • Gillian

    November 5, 2013 at 11:06 am

    Love it, awesome!!! 🙂

    1. Dena

      November 5, 2013 at 11:14 am

      Thanks, love! It felt good to share this. Even if a little childish. Haha… 🙂

  • Kay

    November 5, 2013 at 11:35 am

    I love it! And super props to you for having a natural birth! That’s my goal if we ever get pregnant again. My birth was a disaster, it ended it a c-section and I was the last person to hold my daughter – 4 hours after she was born! :/

    1. Dena

      November 5, 2013 at 11:54 am

      That is a wonderful goal. I know so many people that had a similar experience to you. I actually plan to write a post about it. Of course there are many times when cesarean is necessary but there is an also an alarming number that occur as a direct result of unnecessary intervention/Dr.’s convenience/and so on. It’s really terrible & sad. As a matter of fact, I wrote a little but about it in my birth story but I didn’t get into too much detail because I didn’t want it to overshadow the story — but the truth is that I was very much pressured to take an intervention during my labor! Even after repeatedly saying NO.

      Ugh… I am so sorry that happened to you, love. This is such a hot-button topic for me!!

  • Suzy

    November 5, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Love love love! Giving birth naturally was my proudest moment too: ) And yeah, it sucked how many people told me I couldn’t do it. Poo poo on them, hee hee.

    But let us be the supporters and the cheerleaders! Encouraging others to at least try to give birth naturally and support them if in the end it some sort of interventions was needed^___^

    1. Dena

      November 6, 2013 at 10:00 am

      Thanks, Suzy! Yes — it is so important that we are all cheerleaders for one another. 🙂

  • amy

    November 5, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    <3 YEAH YOU DID! x

    1. Dena

      November 6, 2013 at 10:00 am

      =D

  • amy

    November 5, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    ps/ i love the new layout!

    1. Dena

      November 6, 2013 at 10:01 am

      Thanks, Amy! I love it, too. It’s fresh. I still have a few minor adjustments but I feel much more “at home” with it.

  • Scott

    November 5, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Without a doubt, my proudest moment … July 11, 2003 … the day I married my wife Alison. She is better than anything I could have ever imagined.

    1. Dena

      November 6, 2013 at 10:01 am

      So sweet, Scott! You two are so lucky to have one another.

  • dragonfly

    November 6, 2013 at 5:34 am

    The same with me! Weshare the same proudest moment! 🙂

    1. Dena

      November 6, 2013 at 10:02 am

      Isn’t it a lovely memory, a beautiful accomplishment. <3

  • farzana

    November 6, 2013 at 8:58 am

    Hey Dena ur new layout is so beautiful! .. I am so jealous.. I am trying hard to have the look I want… I wish I will be there soon enough.

    1. Dena

      November 6, 2013 at 10:08 am

      Thank you, love! I am quite happy with it. If you would like me to make a lovely banner for your blog, I would be happy to. Just tell me what you want it to look like and if you would like to include a picture, send that along, too. Email me at denabotbyl [@] gmail [.] com

      XOXO

  • Angelique

    November 6, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    oh mama, i give you credit and 100 gold stars for natural birth!!! I would be boasting too if i were in your shoes 🙂

    1. Dena

      November 7, 2013 at 8:24 am

      Thank you, love!!! XOXOXO

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