Taking a Birthing Class Helped Stephanie During Her Hospital Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was induced at 41 weeks 5 days pregnant.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I unfortunately was unable to have a natural birth. After 30 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing and excruciating pain, they realized my baby had some how turned sideways and that was why I was unable to push him through. I ended up with a c-section which was extremely disappointing but the only way he could get out at that point.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

My husband and I took a Birthing Class through my Dr's office that was once a week for 6 weeks. It was truly the most helpful thing we did. The classes educated us on what to expect from child birth, what we could expect from the hospital and staff and what the days after would be like. We are both so thankful we did the course, it truly helped ease some nerves the day if, especially since our birth plan went out the window when we discovered he was transverse.

What surprised you about your birth?

The most surprising thing to me was the strength I somehow mustered to push for 3 hours. I hadn't slept in 2 days, hadn't eaten in 15 hours and even when I cried and said I couldn't do it any longer, I could as soon as I just focused and put my mind to it. Unfortunately that still didn't do the trick, but I realized I was leaps and bounds stronger than I thought I was.

It was amazing and magical to finally see his beautiful face after all those months of wondering what he would like and what it would be like to meet him. My heart grew 100x it's size that very moment and I instantly fell in love

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Walking/pacing, I did a lot of laying over the bed a d rocking my hips back and forth. And the rocking chair was a relief too, just a different motion and the back and forth helped relax me.

What position did you end up delivering in?

I was pushing on my back cause I couldn't hold myself up any other way (pure exhaustion). Ended up with a c-section.

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

I truly can't describe it. It was amazing and magical to finally see his beautiful face after all those months of wondering what he would like and what it would be like to meet him. My heart grew 100x it's size that very moment and I instantly fell in love.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Be prepared that it may not go according to plan. Plans change and you have to roll with it. My birth went nothing like I had hoped it would. I had to be induced, I couldn't birth him naturally and had to have a c-section. None of which was what I had planned/hoped for. To add insult to injury, I've suffered a major complication from my c-section and developed a seroma behind my incision which caused the site to not heal and my whole incision opened up. I now have to go to the Dr's daily to have the would flushed and packed and I am unable to do anything other than take care of my baby. It hasn't been easy the past week and it's going to be a long road to recovery, but I have a beautiful and healthy baby boy and I will be forever thankful for that.