I am sure I am not the first nor the last mother who will tell you that giving birth made her stronger. Here’s the thing, giving birth the second time made me 2x stronger and I’ll tell you why. It’s not that I was a wimp the first time around. Oh no, with Put Pie (my eldest), I went to the hospital on a Saturday night, was induced, and did not have her until Monday morning. That is a ridiculously long time to be in labor and it was LABOR. The length of labor, the medication I had to take, and the complications wiped me out and recovery was slow. My second came much faster. I didn’t even know I was in labor until it was so painful, I knew it was time to give birth.
We got to the hospital, my water broke, I was dilating, and it was all back labor (I don’t remember feeling a thing in my abdomen). I hurt like I had never hurt before and although I had intended to go drug-free, it hurt so much I started yelling for them to give me an epidural before I was too dilated. That didn’t happen. My window for medication closed and I could have slapped the person that told me it was too late. Then it looked like I would need an emergency C-section because the baby was showing signs of distress. I was wheeled into the operating room, was about to be put under, and my Luna Pie decided she was not waiting any longer. The doctor told me it was time to push. I told her there was no way that I could endure the kind of pain I was in for hours and she assured me that I would be in pain for minutes, not hours. I screamed, I cursed, I pushed, and I had my beautiful baby. She was tiny and perfect. The whole process from figuring out I was in labor to having the baby took less than an hour.
Thirty minutes after giving birth I was walking myself to the bathroom. One day later, I was driving myself and my baby to our first lactation appointment because daddy had to go back to work. I felt like a super-woman. My body performed so perfectly and even just thinking about it now makes me surge with a sense of power. That sense of power will never leave me.
I had Luna Pie over two years ago so why am I telling you her birth story right now? Because of toilet paper. That’s right toilet paper.
I shared Luna Pie’s birth story because Angel Soft asked me to share an experience that made me 2x stronger. The new and improved Angel Soft is 2x stronger while providing an ideal blend of softness and strength at a value you can appreciate. Grab an Angel Soft coupon so that you can test it out yourself. You can also enter to win the awesome prize pack they are giving away to one reader of this blog.
The Giveaway
Win 1 Angel Soft Product Pack consisting of:
- 1 Angel Soft 2x Stronger Pack with 4 Rolls
- $25 Target Gift Card
For a chance to win, please follow the instructions in the widget below. Good luck and stay strong.
This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Angel Soft. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Lisa Brown says
Living for years with in-laws made me much stronger 🙂
Lisa Brown says
RSS feed with Google reader via email: lisa.brown24 at gmail dot com
Mary Happymommy says
I had a difficult childhood and that made me stronger…and so did having 3 c-sections!
unknownmami says
I had a difficult childhood too and it made me stronger as well.
Kat says
I lost a baby boy in 2004, but it only made me stronger, and more determined to have more babies.
unknownmami says
Hugs. Thank you for sharing.
Visit me at: http://www.unknownmami.com.
latanya t says
becoming a mom for the first time
Bossy Betty says
Awww! Loved this story! Yes, Motherhood makes us Super Heroes!
Denise Morse says
definitely motherhood
Zulay says
My second birth was fast two. I think it took longer to get to the hospital than it did to give birth!
Elena Istomina says
moving to a different country made me stronger
JessieC says
Traveled and lived in different countries has made me 2x stronger.
Stephanie says
being a mom
Stephanie says
RSS: akronugurl@gmail.com
Jessica To says
Raising my son alone has made me stronger.
tina m says
moving to jp
Emily says
Watching my son recover from open heart surgery and all he has to endure has made me stronger.
bohemian babushka says
Being a single mom made me stronger.
Amanda Hoffman says
giving birth made me 2x stronger
Dorothy D says
being a senior living on SS is hard and make you stronger
margaretsmith says
Raising my kids, especially my teens.
Mary Elderton says
My husband died when my son was a toddler. I got very strong.
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com
Dawn Schmidt says
Moving overseas knowing nobody made me stronger
Kimberly Bauer says
Having 4 kids has made me 2x stronger.
Amanda Sakovitz says
Proving people wrong has made me stronger
agordon10 says
having gall bladder surgery made me stronger
Sherri Caudill Lewis says
Going to college while I was working 2 jobs, and I was a single mom
Stephanie Phelps says
Having four children made me 2x stronger
Janet Watson says
Having survived breast cancer 12 years ago made me 100x stronger!
jenmalonee says
seeing my son go through eye surgery at 10 months old.
Bella Campos says
Working 2 jobs for almost twenty years made me stronger.
Thomas Murphy says
having my kids made me stronger
Tabathia B says
Ending up in ICU after giving birth
tettelestai says
Oh hey, I totally hear you! Getting past that first horrific birthing experience was traumatic. I can’t believe I wanted to do it again? That is a very cute picture you put up too! I wish my tummy looked cute enough for that sort of snap shot 😉
Allison Downes says
Having kids 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
Kathleen says
raising an autistic daughter has made me stronger
kport207 at gmail dot com
Rich Morris says
becoming a single dad has forced me to become stronger
Soha Molina says
motherhood made me stronger.
Laura Jacobson says
I guess for me its been my two back surgeries. They didnt turn out quite the way they were supposed to, and will need one more. It has made me stronger …mentally! Weaker physically…but a much stronger person!
Court says
I agree my second birth made me stronger but primarily because the day I brought my son home my mom told me she had cancer. She’s good now but sheesh those were hard years!
The Bipolar Diva says
Waiting for, and watching, my grandson die made me, I’m not sure if it made me stronger, or if made me more isolated.
Steve Weber says
dealing with the death of my mother.
Kiara says
Going through hard times has made me 2x stronger.
CarlyHo says
I was injured and spent several weeks in the hospital. It was a lifechanging experience for me.
Cindy Brooks says
going through a horrible divorce that went on and on and on……
Debbie Jackson says
dealing with my sister’s health issues has made me stronger
Cynthia Conley says
Raising kids has made me stronger
parentingbydummies says
I’m pretty sure this week I’ve had will one day be one of those things that I say made me stronger. Right now it’s just busy sucking! I LOVE seeing your face:).
unknownmami says
I’m glad you love seeing my face.
betty grace says
coming out of a car wreck that should have left me dead by all means. Recovering from my injuries and waking up each day still here to be a wife and mother has made me stronger.
Kelly D Saver says
Going through a high risk pregnancy with my daughter made me 2X stronger.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
Patricia says
Not only becoming a mother has made me stronger, but also dealing with the passing away of my father.
Kim Hardy says
Having kids made me atronger
Amanda L. says
Overcoming anxiety and going back to college.
unknownmami says
Good for you.
Nicole Ann Newby says
I would say becoming a Mother has made me a million times stronger.
Sharon S says
Dealing with health issues has made me stronger.
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
mckim says
The difficulty I had getting pregnant, and losing two children – one to miscarriage and one to SIDS made me a much stronger person.
unknownmami says
You are amazing. Thank you for sharing.
sheila ressel says
Being out of work for almost a year.
Ashley says
Raising my kids and being a mom
Vunda Vall says
moving 8 states away from home
Erika Anderson Williams says
Being a mom and having preemie twins! Thanks!
Monica Meza says
Losing my job made me 2x stronger, and freed me!
Tomi says
Years of fertility treatments and finally a mommy.
Lisa Lo says
Yes giving birth is a good one! I remember mine. It felt like I was tied between 2 horses and they were both running in opposite direction…oh the good old days/memories :o)
Vera K says
Raising 2 kids has made me 2x stronger.
Rebecca Peters says
Losing my mother at the young age of 7
Chris H says
Ha ha… toilet paper! Too funny. I reckon I am 6 times stronger then!
I had a 5 hour labor and delivery with my first, 2 hrs with 2nd, 39 minutes with my 3rd, 1 hr with my 4th, 4 hrs with my 5th and a totally pain free 2 hr labor & delivery with my 6th! My last labor amazed me, it simply did not hurt at all?? No pain relief either…. with ANY of my deliveries. Number 5 was 10.12 pounds, and number 6 was 10.6!!! I reckon I deserve a medal lol! I will not enter the giveaway as I live too far away.
Carly Butwell says
Living on my own at age 18 made me a much stronger person. I realized so much and got to experience life!
Marcia Schmidt says
My mom passing away made me stronger. It taught me to never take anything for granted! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
jalapenomama says
Being a single parent made me 2x stronger – thank you.
Rafflecopter name Barbara Montag
rachel says
Finding God made me able to handle cancer and more.
Renee Stace says
The birth with my first son made me 2 x’s stronger.. it was a long tough delivery
Nathansmommy619(at)aol(dot)com
Renee Stace says
subscribed via rss google – stacey0711n(at)gmail(dot)com
Nathansmommy619(at)aol(dot)com
Kate F. says
Dealing with the death of a sibling has made me 2x stronger.
PoshPigments says
Having children and realizing I would do way more for them then I would for mysel
V Tron says
My family
Monique Rizzo says
When my daughter was born 3 months prematurely.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Angela Hoffman says
Having children made me 2x stronger.
Myya Says... says
What an awesome story! You are WOMAN hear you roar!!!
Stephanie Larison says
Overcoming infertility due to PCOS has made me so strong.
Dani Marie says
just moving out of my parents house and supporting myself. ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mendy Dinsmore says
With my husband’s health problems I have became 2x stronger in life
Erika P. says
Dealing with a chronic illness has made me stronger
Sylvia Elmore Zajis says
I wake up daily with a blood clotting disorder (chronic illness) that keeps me very sick. I struggle each day but I’m still here kicking!
Marnie says
I just went through a divorce
Brigid OHara Koshko says
My father collapsed in front of me and (at the time) my three month old son. I was able to perform CPR on him until the paramedics arrived – 20 minutes after I called. I learned I can keep my composure in a very stressful time.
Catherine Shaw says
When my second book of poetry was published, I felt 2X stronger!
Vicki Hale says
I have had 3 illnesses, that have been life threatening, but by the Grace of God, I am still alive to tell about it.
Maria Iemma says
when my husband passed away I thought the world had ended for me but I realized I had to be strong for my kids and continue on with our routines. It was not easy but I did it and realized I was stronger than I thought.
Breenah says
Every time I’m able to overcome my anxiety because my daughter needs me, I feel stronger.
rachel says
i love target!
MaryAnn Thews Casey says
I lost 4 sizes
Betsy says
becoming a mom
Anne says
Having my Mom move in with us for the last few years of her life made me more than 2x stronger! I realized at that point that I do have it in me to do whatever is needed for someone I love.
Julia says
Having a sober friend turn on me, go on a drinking binge and harass me for months, while my marriage was in trouble, so I couldn’t talk to anyone but God about what was happening, Every day my husband and my former friend were telling me how awful (even evil) I am. Nothing makes a person feel stronger than remembering the impossible times that one went through without human support. Happy ending — I am not awful, I am actually very nice. And my marriage is great now. Will take a lifetime to recover from those days. But well on it’s way.
Paula V says
Coming out of a divorce.
aubrey says
taking care of my kids by myself
Christine Waddell says
Being a kindergarten teacher for 33 years, raising 2 daughters and surviving a divorce!
Claudia N says
Being a Mom made me stronger.
Nichol Tone says
Being a nurse and a mother of 3 has made me STRONG
Katie Roch says
Helping my stepfather recover after losing his leg in a motorcycle accident helped to make me 2X stronger
Andrea Williams says
Having a child go through cancer and come through.
Pat B says
Raising two teenagers by myself
Jen Haile says
Getting through depression and finding light at the end of the tunnel.
Margie says
Watching my kids grow up has made me stronger.
ann says
Having to deal with a lot of bad things thru out my life time made me stronger in many ways
Sarah Skeem says
serving a mission for my church
Charlotte Raynor says
I think that raising my son and eventually seeing him receive his high school diploma made me much stronger. Thanks for the great giveaway!
MiMi says
Changing my entire career path.
Kelly Nicholson says
Leave a comment on this post telling me about a personal experience that made you 2x stronger
i run 20 hour a month,,thats all i know
unknownmami says
I’d say that makes you stronger in many ways.
richelle bowers says
i too was in labor a long time with my first one and ended up with a c-section. Second one came a lot easier. I also had ALL my teeth extracted and got dentures.
Annette Rosenberg says
When my daughter was born
Michelle W says
An illness I have been dealing with the past few years has made me stronger
jessica e says
my husband being laid off…
Lesley M says
I would say my son being born and watching him grow!
CindyWindy2003 says
getting a divorce made me stronger, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Darlene Carbajal says
my dad passing away made me 2x stronger.
Ruth L. says
Moving overseas and leaving all the comforts of my home country behind – I had to learn how to rely on God and others.
Danna says
Going off to college on my own made me stronger
Kelly G says
being in an abusive relationship made me 2x’s stronger
susan glazer says
taking care of my husband when he was ill made me at least 2x stronger.
Christine Peterson says
Working hard and getting into Grad school has made me 2X stronger
Christine Ann Burd says
My husband going through a yr of chemo treatments at age 49 made me 2Xstronger
betsy cortez says
just having my kids made me stronger
betsy cortez says
going through infertility treatments made me stronger
elizabeth elliott says
becoming a mom
Kyl Neusch says
have 2 jobs
amber marie says
quit smoking and losing weight
April Brenay says
making it through 2 deployments!
ssgsweeps @ hotmail .com
Ellie W says
Taking care of my elderly bedridden mom for the last year of her life made me stronger.
Katie Knoll says
getting married…and divorced
My Inner Chick says
OMgosh,
that photo is
P R I C E L E S S <3
golden storm says
leaving my family and moving made me stronger it made me realise i can do things on my own without everyones help
James Beck says
lifting weights
Amanda Emily says
Moving cross-country
slehan says
10 years ago I was diagnosed with RA and I’ve learned to be strong and deal with it.
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
Vidya Sury says
Precious photo. I have a similar story – except I had to have a Cesarian at the last minute as both of us went into trauma. Sigh. I find it always beautiful to hear a birth story – and yes, I agree that it makes us Nx stronger over time. We do things with ease – things we never thought we would ever do, or thought we were capable of. Hugs.
Lynn R says
Having some healthcare issues last year made me 2x stronger. And looking for and landing a job in this economy has made me 2x stronger.
Erin Ellis says
Having 2 babies in 11 months made me 2x stronger! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
Liz Lew says
surviving Katrina- go Nola!!
Audrey says
I have been sick for over 10 years, so I HAVE to be strong to live with it every day
Erica Carnes says
Getting over my anxiety made me stronger.
valerie taylor mabrey says
I’ve seen my Dad suffer with oral cancer for 15 years.
sortiz99 says
Having faith in God to clear my oldest brother & oldest son of cancer – prayers were answered!!
S. Whittle says
My whole life
Annemarie Z. says
Quitting my horrible job without finding a new job first.
Leann Lindeman says
getting thru the passing of my father.
Gaye McGill says
I stood up to a bully at work who was intimidating a subordinate and trying to get her to quit a job she desperately needed.
Robin Trexel says
Having to change careers after 15 years
Jeanne Fairbanks Conner says
having to get through stress fractures on both legs at the same time…
Kimberly Hilbert says
Having to get through a fractured rib during a bad bout of bronchitis
mommyto2girlz says
Hearing my daughter may have leukemia has made me stronger. Thank God she didn’t but it sure made us look at life differently and do things differently.
Thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com
Donna George says
Putting myself through college on my own.
Ellen C. says
Getting past the guilt of becoming a stay at home mom made me a much stronger mother and woman. Thanks for the chance.
Lorena Keech says
My husband and I lost our jobs at the same time, that certainly tried our strength.
susan1215 says
Being a Mom has made me a stronger person
Sherri Gorbey says
Leaving a difficult marriage and becoming a single mom.
WWillows6 says
Going through my separation with my husband of 14 years in Dec and starting a divorce has made me so much stronger and a better mom to my 4 children.
Lisa Garner
Krystal Miller says
The various girls camps throughout my high school years — they were such a growing experience!
Timothy Stephens says
Raising my two girls…
Lynne T. says
This past October my dad had a stroke and a week later hurricane Sandy struck this area, going through both of these things made me at least 2x stronger.
Denise Donaldson says
The birth of my daughter made me stronger
Eliza says
I’ve gone through so many things that have made me stronger. So I guess you could say that with how many people I’ve lost in my life at my age, it’s definitely has made me a lot stronger than what I used to be.
Jen Twark Gersch says
going bungee jumping made me 2x stonger
Brian E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…caring for my parents at the end of their lives made me stronger.
Karen says
Dealing with the Estate when my Father In Law died, and he was estranged from 3 of his 4 kids…
Laura says
i became stronger when i had my son
Deborah K Mireles says
I never thought I was strong enough to be with my mom and dad when they passed away but taking care of them and being there for their last moments was something I wouldnt change now that ive done it and it has made me stronger because although it was heartbreaking knowing I was losing them it makes me proud that I was strong enough to help them onto their next journey with the lord!
unknownmami says
You did good.
Nora Driskel says
Surprise twins at my age
cancer free me says
making it through chemo and radiation and still here to be here with my daughters and grandkids 🙂 here’s to many more years.
Paula Tavernie says
Watching over my mom when my father died!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com
Amber Moller says
Losing my mother at age 16 made me 100x stronger than I ever thought I could be before
Brynn says
having to raise my 2 year old sister at the age of 16 while having a part time job and trying not to flunk high school or fail her
Autumn Carriker says
Being a young mother, and helping my daughter cope with the loss of her father really made me a stronger person.
Jason says
Having diabetes made me stronger.
Debra Corbin says
leaving an abusive marriage made me stronger
Angela Gerace says
Being pregnant while working full-time and in school (currently)
Amanda Kinder says
Living through every day makes me 2x stronger.
Vikki Billings says
I am a survivor of domestic violence that has made me 2x stronger!!
LG says
Moving to a new state by myself to go to school.
Samii Meyer says
Learning that I have Lupus and learning how to deal with it.
Ann Lyfe says
moving 3 hrs away from my home, my family & friends.. made me 2x as strong!
Julie Matek says
battling and overcoming anxiety
jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Amy Lee says
Dealing with anxiety disorders. ugh.
Samantha M. says
Leaving my controlling and manipulative boyfriend
sugarsweet7202@yahoo(dot)com
Jessica White says
When I had my daughter, she made me a stronger person!
Julie Myles says
Having twins boys ten weeks early and having to leave the hospital without them. They had to stay eight weeks. Fortunately, they are very healthy 11 years olds today.
lmurley2000 says
what made me stronger was being a single parent raises two boys by myself
buzz8 says
Losing my job and trying to survive while looking for another made me stronger
Alycia says
Losing my dad when I was 19. I had to stay home from college for a bit to help my mother and sister out for a while. Made me a totally different, better, person.
Tracy Parral says
Having kids made me mature and stronger
Sarah Z says
My stepson going through surgery and radiation for his brain tumor.
Michelle Tucker says
Being with my mother when she passed away. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m so glad I was there.
Breanne Tennant says
Everything I went through being in boot camp over 2x longer than I should have been
Dawn Ganey says
I had a stroke at 23. I had lots of prayers & I came out okay. I am 50 now.
Rose A says
Watching my father-in-law recover (TWICE) when he was never supposed to come home again has made me stronger.
Roxann says
Having my kids made me stronger.
Corey Olomon says
I’m the single dad of three kids (7, 10 and 13) and I’m stuggling with cancer…yeah I think its made me stronger!
Christina Strapp says
Hearing that my husband has cancer made me stronger. Then later on hearing it has spread to another area of his body made me even stronger.
donnak4 says
Health problems in me and my family
slehan says
That’s GREAT! Thank you very much.
unknownmami says
Congratulations!
slehan says
Got my prize today. Thanks again.
yepi says
This is a great article! I never knew so many sites can pay you just for your writing, I will try my luck in some of them! Thanks!