Kara's Birth Story

I would like to preface my birth story by saying that every birth story is unique, and most don't go as planned. I was happy overall with the way mine went, even though parts of it went differently than I thought it would. I am not going to go into too much detail, but I would like to share in case it is important to you to hear about my experience before choosing me as a doula. 

Pregnancy

My pregnancy was an easy one, aside from falling and getting injured at week 13. The baby was fine, but I was unable to work for the duration of my pregnancy after that (so I switched to remote work after baby M was born). My optimal birth plan was to give birth in the birthing tub with no interventions or medicine, but I had alternatives in case it did not go to plan. I actually enjoyed being pregnant (not everyone does), and had no major complications until the end.

Induction

At week 38, I went in for my weekly checkup with the midwives, and they found that I had high blood pressure. They gave me two days at home to see whether it would come down on its own, but it did not, so I went into the hospital for an induction. I was informed about my options every step of the way and given ample time to try each technique before moving on to the next. I elected to be induced with the Foley bulb, misoprostol, Pitocin (because they had a waterproof monitor, so I could still give birth in the tub), and finally, I had my water broken. 

Labor

I went in two days before Christmas with a ton of cookies for my birth team (I still say baking cookies is what gave me high blood pressure). Christmas Eve was so fun, full of bouncing on a yoga ball, dancing and walking with my husband, and trying all different positions to get my baby to want to move. I was stuck at 5cm all day that day, and I could barely feel the contractions, even with the Pitocin (which makes contractions stronger). 

Things finally started moving along early Christmas morning when they broke my water. I labored in the tub for probably 3 hours or so before it was time to push.

Pushing/Delivery

I pushed in the tub for 1.5 hours, and gave birth to baby M at 9:04 am! We were the only family to have a baby on Christmas Day, and the hospital made it very special for us. Baby M came out a little blue, but the team was able to get him warmed up and back on my chest for some golden hour skin-to-skin, and he was, and continues to be, healthy after that.