Alex Mata, MA, LPC

I’m counting the early labor signs of contractions that felt like constipations cramps, which actually started at 10am.

SO I was actually in labor for 37 hours at the age of 37.

Coincidence?

Except I don’t know if I actually believe in coincidences…

So I’m still trying to figure out the meaning behind that

Stay tuned for the scoop of my version of the beauty of birth.

I’m a whole mom, y’all…

I feel so grown up.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was so nervous to take on the responsibility of raising a human

I was enjoying my new life in St Louis, walking across the street to random festivals, using porta potties and spontaneously making decisions.

It’s still nerve racking thinking about what my mini me is going to be like.

But it’s comforting knowing I have a village to lean on and walk along side of me.

Babygirl is due in FIVE days and I’ve been nesting for what seems like a year to get ready for her and for my new life back home in Dallas

Thankfully, I’ve had a pretty manageable pregnancy compared to the horror stories I hear, so I’m counting my blessings.

Here’s to my new life.

ChatGPT responds:

An epidural doesn’t usually make someone completely unable to feel or move—it reduces pain while often preserving enough sensation and muscle function to push effectively.

Here’s how it works:

An epidural primarily blocks pain signals, not all nerve signals.

The medication is delivered around the nerves in the lower spine, and modern epidurals are often “low-dose,” designed to relieve pain while allowing some movement and pressure sensation.

Many people can still feel contractions as pressure or tightening, even if they don’t feel the sharp pain.

That pressure helps them know when to push.

The uterus continues contracting on its own.

Pushing is meant to work with those contractions to help move the baby through the birth canal.

The labor team often coaches the person on when to push by watching the contraction pattern on the monitor if sensation is limited.

The degree of numbness varies.

Some people can still move their legs fairly well, while others feel much more numb.

If the epidural is especially dense, pushing can be more difficult, and the healthcare team may adjust the medication if appropriate.

In some cases, the care team may recommend “laboring down.”

This means waiting for the baby to descend naturally with uterine contractions before actively pushing, especially if the epidural makes it hard to feel the urge to push.

This can sometimes reduce the amount of active pushing needed.

It’s also worth noting that an epidural doesn’t stop the muscles of the uterus from contracting—it mainly changes what you feel.

That’s why pushing is still an important part of vaginal delivery, even with effective pain relief.