Mercedes entered the hospital with a primary complaint of vaginal bleeding. Upon arrival, she was asked to provide a urine sample and then escorted to a triage bay.
Mercedes settled into the triage bed as the nurse asked her a series of questions. Simultaneously, the nurse connected Mercedes to monitors - one for the fetal heart rate and another for her contractions. Following this, the nurse took her vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, temperature, and respiration. Once all the monitors were in place and her vitals recorded, the nurse concluded her questions and informed Mercedes that the doctor would soon examine her. Before leaving, Mercedes handed the nurse a picture of the vaginal bleeding she had experienced, mentioning that it had stopped just before she came in. As the nurse reviewed the picture on Mercedes's phone, she explained, “This appears to be your mucus plug, a thick chunk of mucus that blocks your cervix during pregnancy. Its passing can be one of the first signs of labor.”
Uncertain of how to feel, Mercedes sat back and began to wait. When asked if she had any questions, Mercedes replied no, and the nurse disappeared behind the triage curtain.
What felt like hours later, a doctor came in to check Mercedes's cervix. In extreme discomfort on the triage bed, Mercedes shifted from side to side as the doctor conducted the exam.
While the doctor examined Mercedes, she was informed, “You are 4cm dilated.” With her due date just days away, the provider suggested keeping her since she was already experiencing contractions and her cervix was opening.
The doctor left, leaving Mercedes to wonder how this labor would compare to her last delivery almost 9 years ago.
Shortly after, her nurse explained that she would be admitted soon. Frustrated and in pain, Mercedes, experiencing increasing contractions, asked for ice and inquired about getting out of the triage bed.
With a smile, the nurse replied, “I will get you some ice now. As for the bed, you can stand on the side of the bed as long as the monitors remain in place.”
Unsatisfied with just standing, Mercedes sighed and attempted to find comfort sitting on the side of the bed. The nurse brought her ice and explained that she would return to transfer her to a labor room.
As promised, the nurse returned, unhooked Mercedes from the various cords binding her to the bed, helped her gather her things, and walked with her to the labor room, where Mercedes would continue her labor process.
By this time, Mercedes was engaged in a conversation with a family member eagerly waiting to see her in the waiting room.
Once settled in the labor room, the nurse assured her that she would gather those waiting in the waiting room. An IV was started, blood was drawn, and more questions were asked as Mercedes processed the idea of giving birth to another child.
As the nurse finished, the provider came in with an ultrasound machine. Completing her assessment, the nurse instructed someone to bring in Mercedes's patiently waiting family, allowing them to enjoy the ultrasound experience with her.
Following the ultrasound and the provider confirming her baby was head down, Mercedes began to feel contractions more frequently. At this point, Mercedes managed her contractions by breathing and repositioning, with her family providing great support, and she felt that she was tolerating her pain.
Mercedes expressed to her nurse that she had a desire to not receive an epidural. Due to her experience in the past, an epidural was not part of her birth plan. The nurse assured her that she supported her wishes and informed her that she had the right to change her mind at any time. In agreement, Mercedes continued to labor on.
An infusion of penicillin was given due to Mercedes being GBS positive. After completing the penicillin, the contractions intensified. The provider informed her that she could receive morphine through her IV since she was not interested in an epidural.
Mercedes did her best to hold out, but when informed that they intended to break her water, it was agreed that she would receive the morphine just before.
The time came for her water to be broken, and Mercedes received a dose of morphine that did not seem to alleviate the contraction pain she was undergoing. Just after 2 am, her water was broken, and she was found to be 7cm dilated. Remarkable progress, considering she was last checked just after 10 pm.
With strengthened contractions, Mercedes became unable to remain in bed. She tried standing on the side of the bed, pacing, sitting on the edge, and even getting on her hands and knees. Nothing brought her relief or a break from the pain.
Amidst her pain, Mercedes expressed a desire to go to the bathroom. Out of concern, the nurse asked, "Can we check you before you go to make sure it is not time to push?" Due to the intense pressure and pain Mercedes was feeling, she agreed to be checked.
"What she heard from between her legs was 9cm/75%/-1," the provider announced.
Unimpressed by her progress, Mercedes went to the bathroom. When she came out, she said, “Get me an epidural.”
Confirming with her that that’s what she wanted, the nurse began the process of epidural placement. The anesthesiologist was informed, and Mercedes was educated on what to expect.
Due to the force of her contractions, the nurse explicitly expressed to Mercedes the importance of her being able to remain still during the epidural placement.
Exhausted and unable to handle the pain any longer, Mercedes assured the nurse that she would stay still. Before long, the anesthesiologist was in the room, and Mercedes had obtained her epidural. She stayed still through the duration of the procedure and then laid down to rest while her body dilated the last centimeter.
Less than an hour after the epidural, Mercedes started to feel increased pressure and had the sensation that she needed to poop. This sensation persisted, making Mercedes uncomfortable and frustrated.
Noticing the signs that pushing may be imminent, the nurse phoned for the providers to come in and check on her.
Upon checking her cervix, the golden phrase rang out, “She’s C/C, let’s set up to start pushing.”
It was finally time. The pressure was fierce; however, Mercedes knew the finish line was near.
As the providers set up, she was given instructions on how to push, and the delivery process began.
In what felt like a million pushes, and only ended up being 5, Mercedes gave birth to a beautiful baby.
Mercedes arrived at the hospital just before 9 pm and delivered her baby just before 5 am the following morning. Mercedes was an African American, 26 years old, G4P1 at 39.4 weeks pregnant. She had no significant medical history other than asthma and a vaginal birth 9 years prior.
Now this is her birth, your story is unique to you. I’d love to hear your story and share it with those who can relate or who can empathize. Let’s come together and share our stories of birth. Let us learn from one another and prepare the generations to come.
What’s your birth story? If you have one that is personal to you or one that you think others might need to hear, reach out and share it with me. I would love to partner with you in getting the story out.
What’s your birth story? If you have one that is personal to you or one that you think others might need to hear, reach out and share it with me. I would love to partner with you in getting the story out.