After years of navigating infertility, she is sharing the birth story she only dreamed of- a good one! A mama who reclaimed her power in birth and wants others to know- joyful, healing birth is possible.
Sharing this here, like the rest of my infertility and pregnancy journey, in hopes that it helps someone. And I’m grateful to report that it’s a GOOD story – no birth trauma or PTSD here. Not to say that those things aren’t (unfortunately) pervasive in OB, but happily I had a great experience, and want others to know that is totally possible.
I had an induction at 39 1/2 weeks, just before my due date (which is 40 weeks) – partly for age but mostly elective. I know the data and discussed this with my awesome OB, and we made this decision together since I had been mildly contracting for a few weeks anyway.
I went into the hospital at 9pm and was welcomed by the most wonderful nurse and attending physician, who I’ve actually known since she was an intern and I was a fellow! It was a beautiful full circle moment, and the care was just so excellent.
My cervix was checked — feels like intense pressure! — and I was 1 cm and partly effaced or thinned out, so I had a Cytotec (misoprostol) placed vaginally. Just a tiny pill, doesn’t hurt. 3-4 hrs later I was checked again and had made some progress, and got one more pill placed.
By 3am I was contracting pretty painfully from just the Cytotec, and was moved from an induction room to a labor room. By then I was begging for an epidural 😅 cue the wonderful Anesthesia resident. Sitting still for that was the hardest part!! Took some time and extra doses to get pain control, then my water broke on its own. By then I was 6-7cm and contracting every few minutes.
My nurse and I decided on a peanut ball next – LOVE these – basically a beach ball shaped like a 🥜 that you place between your knees and it opens the pelvis. That did it for me and next thing I knew, I was 10cm and ready to push!
I told the covering OB I wanted to pull her out myself (channeling Kourtney Kardashian here) so once the head was out, I reached down and brought her up to my chest! It was INCREDIBLE and a memory I will have forever. This photo was taken by the baby nurse at that very moment 🥹 Def framing it.