birth experience
Celeste arrived 2 days after her due date. A few days before I tried Midwives Brew. It started up contractions but no dilation. In hindsight, I would’ve let nature do its thing instead of trying to push labor along. The night before she came, I had REAL contractions. Braxton Hicks was a day at the park compared to this pain. It felt like a gorilla was gripping my sides and squeezing me from the inside! I had about 20+ hours of this pain. Epidural helped a little but not much. Finally, around 1 AM I began pushing and Cece arrived at 2:06 AM. Pushing was so painful. I literally was about to pull my hair out. I was delirious! Luckily, I had my husband and mom by my side. Plus my sister, dad, and brother were waiting out our house to see her. Seeing her was so strange. Finally, I was able to see the little baby who had been swimming in my tummy for so long. She was gorgeous and big!
The hospital I delivered at was wonderful. The nurses were so sweet. The suite was very nice. Although I felt gross physically, I did feel pampered and taken care of by the staff. I passed time before birth playing the Sims and watching 90 day fiancé lol. The first night until the next day she was in the NICU. I used that time to recover. Finally, I was able to spend the night with her and lord, she was fussy. But it was so interesting to have her outside of me. Recovery was long. I tore (ouch). But with all this complaining, it was so worth it. I love my little baby girl.
birth experience
Celeste arrived 2 days after her due date. A few days before I tried Midwives Brew. It started up contractions but no dilation. In hindsight, I would’ve let nature do its thing instead of trying to push labor along. The night before she came, I had REAL contractions. Braxton Hicks was a day at the park compared to this pain. It felt like a gorilla was gripping my sides and squeezing me from the inside! I had about 20+ hours of this pain. Epidural helped a little but not much. Finally, around 1 AM I began pushing and Cece arrived at 2:06 AM. Pushing was so painful. I literally was about to pull my hair out. I was delirious! Luckily, I had my husband and mom by my side. Plus my sister, dad, and brother were waiting out our house to see her. Seeing her was so strange. Finally, I was able to see the little baby who had been swimming in my tummy for so long. She was gorgeous and big!
The hospital I delivered at was wonderful. The nurses were so sweet. The suite was very nice. Although I felt gross physically, I did feel pampered and taken care of by the staff. I passed time before birth playing the Sims and watching 90 day fiancé lol. The first night until the next day she was in the NICU. I used that time to recover. Finally, I was able to spend the night with her and lord, she was fussy. But it was so interesting to have her outside of me. Recovery was long. I tore (ouch). But with all this complaining, it was so worth it. I love my little baby girl.
celeste's baby shower
In April of 2022, my mother and I put together our event planning and decorating skills to host a beautiful baby shower for Celeste. The theme was boho-glam with a touch of whimsical accents. We enjoyed playing baby shower games, taking pictures, and eating delicious finger foods. We also had the chance to listen to our elders advice and kind words of encouragement as we (or I) transition into parenthood.
prep
reality
celeste's baby shower
In April of 2022, my mother and I put together our event planning and decorating skills to host a beautiful baby shower for Celeste. The theme was boho-glam with a touch of whimsical accents. We enjoyed playing baby shower games, taking pictures, and eating delicious finger foods. We also had the chance to listen to our elders advice and kind words of encouragement as we (or I) transition into parenthood.
vision
prep
reality
pregnancy
Pregnancy was HARD! Luckily, I wasn’t high risk or had any ailments. However, I did deal with morning sickness, food aversions, and scent sensitivity the entirety of my pregnancy. I felt as if I were hung over EVERDAY. It felt like it would never end. Gosh, the first 6 months I barely wanted to leave my bed. I remember having a crazy sweet tooth in the beginning. Sucking on prenatal candies that were supposed to reduce nausea. But with the sweets I didn’t like the taste of my own tongue. The smell of clean clothes made me want to puke. Drinking too much liquid made everything come back up – so I slowly sipped for months. The Febreze and Glade wall plug-ins that I loved so much were my worst enemy. I had to eat something every hour or I’d surely puke my brains out. I was tired af! I was craving meat again (I was strictly plant-based pescatarian before). I dealt with headaches, back aches, round ligament pain. I can go and on…
Then there were the false labor pains that sent me to the hospital 3 different times. Each time, no dilation. I had the confirmation that they were real contractions but Braxton Hicks. It was my body getting ready for labor – months in advance. There were some sweet times, like seeing my belly grow, seeing her face in the 3d ultrasound, and feeling her kick. Also, the anticipation of having a little baby of my own to care for.
baby bump pics
pregnancy
Pregnancy was HARD! Luckily, I wasn’t high risk or had any ailments. However, I did deal with morning sickness, food aversions, and scent sensitivity the entirety of my pregnancy. I felt as if I were hung over EVERDAY. It felt like it would never end. Gosh, the first 6 months I barely wanted to leave my bed. I remember having a crazy sweet tooth in the beginning. Sucking on prenatal candies that were supposed to reduce nausea. But with the sweets I didn’t like the taste of my own tongue. The smell of clean clothes made me want to puke. Drinking too much liquid made everything come back up – so I slowly sipped for months. The Febreze and Glade wall plug-ins that I loved so much were my worst enemy. I had to eat something every hour or I’d surely puke my brains out. I was tired af! I was craving meat again (I was strictly plant-based pescatarian before). I dealt with headaches, back aches, round ligament pain. I can go and on…
Then there were the false labor pains that sent me to the hospital 3 different times. Each time, no dilation. I had the confirmation that they were real contractions but Braxton Hicks. It was my body getting ready for labor – months in advance. There were some sweet times, like seeing my belly grow, seeing her face in the 3d ultrasound, and feeling her kick. Also, the anticipation of having a little baby of my own to care for.
baby bump pics
gallery
just me...
shot by @eli.capture & alex martin
gallery
just me...
shot by @eli.capture & alex martin
Copyright © 2022, AlexandriaRhinehart, All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2022, AlexandriaRhinehart, All Rights Reserved.