Life
Growing tiny humans is seriously one of the most badass things I've ever done. However, in my opinion there's nothing more badass than labor and delivery (and this is coming from someone who runs marathons). You learn so much about what you're capable of and how to get through some serious pain, self-doubt, and tough decisions, all while a nurse says you can't even have a snack. While they're definitely not for the faint of heart, there are so many labor and delivery moments that prove you'll be a badass mom.
Some of mine were stereotypical, like walking through back labor contractions so intense that I literally thought I was going to die, yelling and screaming, and the intensity that is transition. Others were silly or gross, which is important, because dealing with silly and gross stuff is pretty much what parents do. And, of course, others were super empowering and gave me the strength to conquer childbirth.
There were times when I seriously thought I wasn't going to make it and times when I was seriously proud of what I was able to do. If you think about it, that sentence pretty much sums of what it's like to be a parent, too. Then,there's the moment when you meet your baby for the first time and realize that you grew and birthed an actual human being, which is pretty much the most hardcore thing imaginable. No matter how you do it, birth is so badass, and proof that you'll be a badass mom, too.
When You Advocate For Yourself
I never imagined I would have to advocate for myself so much while I was in labor, but there were times when it was necessary to get what I needed. Standing up for yourself when you are feeling weak or exposed or even scared, is definitely badass, and definitely a skill you'll need as a mom.
When You Feel Like Dying
You may feel the worst pain imaginable, both physical and emotion, during your time in the birthing suite or pool or wherever it is you're giving birth. However, you will make it through, I promise. I went through labor and delivery on three separate occasions and with a little help from my dear friends: my labor and delivery nurses, my anesthesiologist, and my husband.
When You Break The Rules, Just A Little
I'm not ashamed to admit that I totally brought contraband snacks into labor and delivery. Childbirth is hard work, so I knew I needed all the help I could get. Breaking the rules definitely made me feel a little badass, and as a mom, knowing when you can break the rules is an important skill.
When You Have Back Labor
Back labor is evil. So evil, that my friends who didn't have back labor can't possibly understand. I am pretty sure I started believing in Hell for a little while during those mind-numbingly painful contractions, because it was seriously the worst. For those of you who have been through this ordeal, please know that you are so badass, I'm pretty sure you can handle anything parenting throws at you.
When You Kick People Out
Setting boundaries is badass. Seriously, you guys, and whether it's in the delivery room and in life. If you want privacy, don't want your dad to see your vulva, or need your partner to leave for a while so you don't kill them, kick them out. Honestly, the ability to tell people to exit stage right is something you probably should learn how to do for yourself and your kids.
When You Let Yourself Cry
It's totally badass to let yourself feel and show emotion. Let those tears flow, and know that it's OK to cry in childbirth, and parenting, because that sh*t is hard.
When You Poop, Pee, Or Puke
In childbirth (and parenting), there's a lot of poop (and pee and puke and other bodily fluids that will go unmentioned). So, if you can deal with it with grace and a sense of humor during labor and delivery, you will totally be a badass mom.
When You Let Out A Primal Scream
I screamed so loud during my second stint in labor and delivery that they sent someone in to ask me to be quiet. I was a badass warrior birth goddesses, and badass warriors don't keep quiet. Oh no, dear reader, they rage on.
When You Push A Baby Out Of Your Vagina Or A Baby Is Cut Out Of Your Body By A Surgeon
No matter how or when or why or where, birth is totally badass. It may not be perfect, easy, or what you expected, but it's full of moments that only a tough you-know-what can master, and it all seems worth it when you cross the finish line and meet your baby for the first time. Birth is incredible, and so is being a mom, and those moments of birth badassery definitely prove that you are gonna be absolutely everything your baby needs.
