Life update/POSITIVE labor and birth story.
⚠️WARNING: THIS HAS EVERY DETAIL OF MY CHILDBIRTH, IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO HEAR SOMETHING THAT MAY BE GROSS, SWIPE AWAY. ⚠️.
i went in for a blood pressure check because it had been going up, indicating hypertension. of course that day, it was elevated yet again, so i was scheduled for an induction. fast forward to monday, october the 28th. 6:30pm i was given the foley bulb because i was only a fingertip dialated. by 1:30am, i was 4cm. this part i will tell you, if they offer the pain meds and you are hurting badly, please get them. don't try to be hard headed like i was. i was given stadal. once given it, i felt amazing. the contractions are intense, and i wont lie to you. fast forward to 7:30am, they start me on pitocin and broke my water to help me continue to progress. once at 5cm, i got the epidural because my body couldn't handle the pain anymore. but on the subject of epidurals, i promise it isn't as bad as anyone makes it to be, at least for myself anyway. the feeling of the contractions hides all of the pain you could possibly feel from the epidural. the only thing you feel is the bee sting like pinches from the numbing. but it was very smooth and i'm grateful for that. after that, i had to receive two re doses of the medication given through the epidural. i also had a catheter put in, which was uncomfortable because, at the time, the medication had not kicked in. once it did, everything was smooth from there. i continued to dilate until 7cm, which i stayed at for almost 4 hours. my nursing staff then started having me turn from side to side with the peanut ball in between my legs to try to make things go, which worked until 9cm. by 9cm, it was 7:30pm and the nurses had shift changed, so of course i had a new nurse. she came in and told me "we're getting this baby out of you tonight" and she had me turn onto my right side again with the peanut ball in between my legs. while in that position, we learned that my cervix was partially stuck on my right side, but being on my right side helped it open up. 30 minutes goes by of being on that side and i'm at 10cm. it's now around 8pm and they have me start pushing to get baby girl ready. I'm proud to say that i pushed for only 15-ish minutes and tore on the side of my….in three little tiny spots. at 8:38pm, our sweet girl, willow kaye, made her arrival. weighing 7lbs loz and 20 1/2 inches long. my labor was around 16-19 hours, depending on how you count it. i wouldn't have been able to do as well as i did without my nursing staff and my amazing doctor. my entire stay at the hospital was perfect. i couldn't be more grateful for them and proud of myself. within an hour of delivering her, i was up using the bathroom and going to see her in the nursery.
this is not a post to brag or make anyone feel any less than they should. everyone's birth story is different and isn't as good as mine. my heart goes out to those who have bad or slightly negative stories. i just hope to ease some nerves and make people feel a bit better by sharing this🩷
our girl is now 3 months old, as of today. she is healthy and thriving and we love her so much. 🤍
Childbirth stories can vary widely, but sharing positive experiences can empower and ease the minds of expecting parents. This birth story highlights the importance of having a supportive medical team, including nurses and doctors, who play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth delivery. Pain management, like the use of epidurals, is different for everyone, but many find them beneficial. The emotional connection you build during labor can significantly impact your experience, so it's essential to feel supported and heard throughout the process. When sharing about childbirth, it’s vital to acknowledge that everyone’s journey is unique—some may face challenges that necessitate additional interventions or have complications that lead to different emotional outcomes post-delivery. Discussing your experience can help normalize discussions about childbirth, paving the way for better understanding and support. As new parents, it’s also crucial to celebrate those small milestones, from the first bath to the first family picture at home. Each moment reflects the joy and love shared in welcoming new life into the world. Building a community through shared experiences can lead to lifelong friendships and support systems, making the transition to parenthood more joyful and less daunting.