Tasha, a 28-year-old mother of three (G4P3), is currently at 39.5 weeks of pregnancy. She arrived at the hospital around 2 p.m., reporting that her water had broken late last night.
Initially, when her water broke, Tasha wasn’t experiencing regular contractions, so she decided to stay at home. However, as morning came, she noticed a change. Contractions began to intensify, prompting her decision to head to the hospital. With three older children at home, her primary concern was ensuring their care while she was away.
After addressing her children’s needs, Tasha mentally prepared herself for the impending hours or days of labor. She informed her mother and sister about her progress and swiftly packed for her hospital visit.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Tasha remained calm and hopeful. Once checked in, a nurse guided her to her room, where she was hooked up to monitors and introduced to her doctors. Tasha was briefed on the rules and recommendations, though she felt that the doctors were more talking at her than to her. Tasha politely nodded, signed the forms, and waited for the doctors to finish so the nurse could settle her in further.
After the nurse asked some follow-up questions, Tasha had time to reflect on how this labor differed from her previous three experiences, notably that her water had broken naturally this time. She continued contemplating the distinctions and similarities between this birth and the ones before as her contractions intensified, eventually leading her to request an epidural.
Following the epidural, when she was at 3cm dilation, Tasha felt comfortable and eager to discuss her options with the doctors to reach her goal of 10cm dilation. They collectively decided to use Pitocin to advance her labor. The medication caused her contractions to increase in frequency, although they weren’t quite the labor contractions needed for delivery.
Shortly afterward, Tasha received news that her baby’s heartbeat was not reacting well to her contractions, with drops occurring both during and between contractions. As a result, they discontinued the Pitocin and closely monitored both Tasha and the baby.
As the shifts changed from day to night, Tasha’s anxiety grew. She wondered about her baby’s well-being and what steps the doctors would take next, finding solace in the presence of her sister and mother, who tried to lighten the mood.
Having experienced three previous vaginal births, Tasha was prepared for the pain of pushing, but this time, the possibility of a cesarean section (c-section) was raised, sending panic through her body. Her mother and sister reassured her that it wasn’t the likely outcome, but Tasha couldn’t help but cry. The doctors presented two options: restarting the medication or opting for a C-section.
Tasha chose to restart the Pitocin. The doctor conducted an examination and found Tasha to be at 6cm dilation, 75% effaced, and at -2 position—still not quite ready for delivery. The nurse initiated the Pitocin as instructed.
After the Pitocin was reintroduced, the baby’s heart rate again showed concerning drops. The nurses repositioned Tasha, provided oxygen, and considered an internal monitor to better track contractions and the baby’s heart rate, with Tasha’s consent. The nurse consulted the doctor, who promptly examined Tasha and prepared to place the internal monitors.
During the vaginal exam, they discovered that Tasha was fully dilated and effaced (C over C). It was time for her to start pushing, and every one necessary gathered in the room.
As Tasha prepared to push with the next contraction, she paused, expressing her desire to witness her baby’s arrival. She requested a mirror and, once it was positioned correctly, eagerly prepared to push.
Tasha was ready to welcome her beautiful baby into the world.
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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.