Let the Countdown to Labor, Delivery & Relaxation Begin

Though all opinions are my own, this blog post is sponsored by SSM Health Dean Medical Group. For more information about their Women’s Health services, click here. To learn about their Maternity Care services, click here. Details about delivering at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Madison can be found here.

Let the countdown begin! T-minus 6 weeks and counting! We have entered that final stretch and oddly enough, I feel calm and ready. Without a doubt, I am ready for some pregnancy relief. I absolutely love the newborn journey, but the pregnancy part… ehhhhh, I never really enjoy it and I am for-sure over it by now.

I am excited for the big day! Excited to finally know, BOY or GIRL. Excited to be able to walk, not waddle everywhere I go. Excited to go through my last labor and delivery. And excited to spend some time relaxing in the birthing suite at SSM Health St Mary’s Hospital – Madison.

Yes, it’s true! I absolutely love my stay in the hospital after having a baby. I know some of you can relate. When you have a house full at home, it’s nice to have some peace and quiet and have other people taking care of you!!! Honestly, the set up at St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison is amazing! There is one huge room filled with everything you need to labor and deliver the baby in, as well as a suite for recovery and relaxation afterwards. 

I delivered Boston at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo and both of the girls at SSM Health St. Mary’s – Madison. Every labor and delivery was different and both Hospitals and labor and delivery staff were great! I do however, love the two room set up St. Mary’s Hospital provides. The amenities at St. Mary’s Hospital are top-notch and make labor and delivery an experience rather than just something to get through.

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I have to be honest, of all three of my labor and deliveries, Elliana’s was the most pleasant and I attribute that to the amenities and relaxing atmosphere St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison provides, as well as the fact that I had time to utilize them. Grace’s delivery came so fast. I was admitted to the hospital and had her within an hour and a half. 

My labor with Elliana was longish, about 8 hours. I was admitted to the labor and delivery room which is huge and spent the afternoon preparing to deliver her enjoying the variety of amenities St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison has to offer. Since the room was very large, I was able to walk around and stretch in the privacy of my own room. I also used the birthing ball and a few other massage items to help alleviate my lower back pain. As my labor began to progress, I chose to use the birthing tub to soak in and enjoy some aroma therapy, all provided by the hospital. It was truly relaxing and really took away a lot of the pain and pressure. When I finally got out, I knew right away that it was go time. Almost immediately, I asked for my epidural and was ready to start to prepare for delivery. 

Getting an epidural is never fun. I’ve done it both ways, with and without an epidural, and I’ll have to say… I choose epidural every time! After getting my epidural with Elliana, I rested for about a half an hour and then was ready. It only took 5 minutes of actual delivery and my girl was born. I think the delivery was so easy because she was pretty small, 6lbs 15 oz, and also because I was relaxed and ready. 

Nick and I never find out the gender of our babies ahead of time. So, for me, the most beautiful moment of childbirth is when he tells me if we have a son or daughter. When he told me Elliana was a girl, my eyes instantly welled up with tears of joy. I was overwhelmed with emotion. Nick also always cuts the baby’s cord and then the nurse places the baby right in my chest for skin-to-skin contact. All things that are honored as part of our birth plan.

After about an hour or so, once the baby and I have been fully checked over and are ready to start relaxation and recovery, the St. Mary’s Hospital nurses help us to transfer from the delivery room to a beautiful recovery room. The recovery room is cozy with a queen size bed, a table and chairs, a large counter area for changing and bathing the baby, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower (so much easier than a tub after giving birth).

I absolutely love the queen size bed. Both Nick and I can rest in it and cuddle the baby. I love that he can spend the night with me rather than on a cot or couch on the side. It truly makes for a family feel and relaxing atmosphere for recovery. 

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Of course the nurses have to come check on us according to policy, but I always ask that they give us space; we will let them know if we need anything. The St. Mary’s Hospital staff is so respectful of our wishes. I appreciate the care, support and respect the nursing staff gives us during our stay. I also appreciate all the extra safety measures SSM Health is taking to ensure the safety of my family during this time.

Honestly, because of all of this, I can’t wait for our stay at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison. We get to meet our new baby and have an enjoyable stay to recover and relax. 

Now, I better get to packing my bag!

Stay tuned as these last few weeks unfold! Follow along on Instagram for all the fun!

XOXO ~ Tessa 💚💜💚💜💚💜