I wasn’t surprised to find myself still pregnant almost 2 weeks past my due date. Everyone told me it was very common for first timers. I was so excited to meet my little guy that you could find me doing every remedy in the book! Eating dates and spicy food, walking curbs and bouncing on yoga balls. I tried everything.
At 39 weeks one of my doctors suggested talking about induction. The whole process of being induced freaked me out. From all the horror stories I was hearing and the negative blogs I decided to read. (tip: don’t read negative birthing stories weeks before you’re due) I decided I wanted to wait until I was 42 weeks to discuss any kind of induction and my doctors respected my decision.
We had a scheduled induction at 41 weeks that was rescheduled 3 times! I was so nervous that I would be birthing on the hallway floor of the hospital. We were told there weren't any beds available.
Thankfully I wasn’t experiencing any discomfort or contractions. My baby was comfortable inside. Seemed he didn’t want an eviction notice.
The day we were officially going to the hospital we were scheduled to arrive at 6pm. My husband and I decided to go on one last date before being parents. I was craving lobster mac and cheese from a local restaurant, 12 A Buoy. I remember wanting to order a second serving to go, it was so good!
After our early dinner date we headed home to load up the car, hit a starbucks for a pre-baby beverage and headed to the hospital. And still, no sign of discomfort or contractions.
When we arrived, a kind tech brought us a wheelchair to haul me up to my birthing suite. I kindly declined. I really wanted to walk. I was so excited and jittery that I needed to walk out the nerves. Picture this- a woman almost 42 weeks pregnant casually walking into her birthing suite. My experience this far was nothing like what I've seen in the movies.
Once we got settled and I set up my printed out birthing plan, fairy lights, diffuser, comfy pillows and blankets and of course had some jazz playing, I was instructed to pee in a cup, put on a gown and sit in the hospital bed. I should mention that sitting in a hospital bed as the patient was nothing I've experienced before. (still no contractions at this point)
Once I was settled, the nurse poked me a few times looking for the perfect vein to administer medications and fluids as needed. She was on her third 12 hour shift and seemed ready to go. I remember her telling us about her dinner plans when she finally clocks out. And I also remember her telling me that “Most women that bring in a birthing plan end up in the OR” Needless to say, my first nurse experience was questionable. I didn’t even remember her name. ANYWAY! She went home and I was introduced to the overnight crew that would be taking care of me. I was thrilled because all of the nurses were incredible, attentive and very personable with me and my family. I felt so comfortable and confident.
Up until about 3 hours after this moment I was SURE I was having a natural birth. Not because I thought it made me any more of a badass woman, but because ive never really taken any hard core pain killers before and I was nervous on how my body would react.
The nurses started the induction process shortly after I downed half of a Publix sub. I asked millions of questions because I was insanely nervous. We did not start with pitocin. Instead we did some mechanical induction with large balloons and a catheter to help induce labor. A catheter with a balloon is inserted into the cervix and filled with sterile saline solution. The balloon puts pressure on the cervix to soften and dilate it. Once the cervix is dilated 3cm, the balloons typically fall out on their own.
All I felt was a bit of pressure, nothing too crazy. The nurses told me “It will start to feel like period cramps soon” and that’s when things started to get real.
All I kept thinking about were how awful and nauseous period cramps used to make me. Throwing up from the pain was the worst.
And shortly after the nurse let me know that… I started puking. And it just wouldn't stop. The cramps were horrible. Or maybe they were contractions? I can’t remember, but damn.
The nurse offered me some nausea medication and a “light” painkiller. She said, I will give you half of a normal dose, and if I need more, to let her know.
I was plastered to that hospital bed until the sun came up the next morning. The painkiller was so strong that I just remember feeling drunk and high at the same time. The insane parts were one, she only administered half a dose, and two, she said she could give me another half dose every 4 hours as needed. Excuse me what?! I’m good.
The morning of my baby's arrival, October 22, 2022, was from what I remembered, relatively good. The painkillers from the night before were still working, and I was feeling okay! The nurses broke my water at about 9am, and after little thought I requested to see the anaesthesiologist at the last possible moment to get the epidural. I was comfortable knowing that I was able to administer the medication as I felt I needed it. I am very sensitive to pain medication apparently. LOL
After about 11am, it was mostly a game of waiting. I had some snacks, rolled on a peanut ball, visited with family and scrolled Tik Tok until I felt like I needed to nap. I started getting some lower back aches and we hooked up the 10s unit to help with the pain. The nurses had me straddle the peanut ball while I layed on my side to help keep everything open. I passed out shortly after for a few hours until it was time to switch sides… and then passed out again. I was quite sleepy from the painkillers I had the night before.
Once my series of naps were over, it was close to 5pm. I felt good and wanted to sit up and stretch my back on the yoga ball. My mom braided my hair to help pass the time and we had a few more visitors come through before it was time to push. It was honestly a better experience than I was told it would be.
The midwife and nurses took their time adjusting the bed for delivery. The way those women moved truly set the tone for how I was feeling. Everyone was calm, talked softly and was extremely considerate to how I was feeling. Everything in these moments were all about me and my baby. It was lovely. I did a few practice pushes and the midwife seemed very pleased. I didn’t really know what her “good” meant, but I was feeling so encouraged to push!
I remember the midwife walking over to her little work cart and suiting up for show time. I let everyone know how cute they looked in their little hair nets and masks. Anything to keep the mood light.
The nurses put my feet in the stirrups, jazz was playing, the fairy lights were doing their thing. The mood was SET! Mom and husband to my left, midwife by my feet and 2 nurses to my right. They walked me through breathing, pushing and resting. Nothing was rushed. Relaxation was encouraged. I felt so calm. The opposite of how I pictured all of this going.
At 8:05 I started pushing. At 8:21 I was holding my sweet baby!
No stitches. I remember on the last 2 pushes the midwife asked me to straighten my legs. I thought she was nuts. How can I push like this? Well I did! And I still attribute not tearing to her helpful queuing and how much she encouraged relaxation.
I decided that the stinky fluid, adult diapers and pooping/peeing in a bucket was part of my personal glamorous birthing experience. The padsicles, new hemorrhoids and lack of tummy control was the result of the beautiful and perfect human I just pushed out of my body. I was grateful for all of it.
Everything from this moment on kind of ran together. A bunch of nurses and doctors came to my room to talk about their spiel, asked a ton of questions, and my brain was just mush. I quietly nodded or asked my husband to answer for me. I do remember needed a giant piece of chocolate layer cake to celebrate. One thing about me, ima have a sweet treat! Luckily for me, my sweet husband had a piece queued up.
We were discharged the next day and made it home in the early evening. Baby slept on the bassinet right next to our bed. Waking up the next day was surreal. Our little family was all together. Including our first born four legged floofer.
Things to remember
You might poop. Happens more often than not.
Don’t be scared to be yourself. Pack those fairy lights and set the mood, sis.
Body Armor and coconut water are great hydration drinks to have during labor.
If you feel like you want help/pain-relief from modern medication, do it!
This is YOUR story, and if you feel rushed, uncomfortable or disrespected, say something, or tell someone who will vouch for you.
If you want to write up a birthing plan because it makes you feel less anxious and more put together, DO IT!
Don’t forget to pack all your shower essentials and comfy pajamas. The after shower is the best.
It's more than okay not to have hospital visitor. Don't feel pressured.
