Topic Archive: induced

Episode 172 | April 27, 2010

Krista’s Birth Story

Krista, her husband Ryan, and their 4 week old baby girl Tessa join us for another wonderful birth story. Why was Krista scheduled to have an induction and what happened? Krista’s request for a mirror and what she thought when she saw her baby for the first time. Krista’s breastfeeding hiccups and Ryan’s swaddling. Plus, how are things as new parents? And, Krista’s and Ryan’s tips for expecting parents. PICTURES

July 29, 2009

41 weeks, 4 days pregnant, and counting…

It’s funny (well, not really), but in this past week, it’s almost become a routine: I wake up, I ask myself, “Do I feel any different?” The answer is no, I curse, and then I check my iPhone (which is laying next to me in bed), and inevitably there is a text, or a comment on facebook or twitter, or an email asking, “Have you had that baby YET?” So I get on twitter, or facebook, or email, and say “Nope, no baby yet.”

I’ve been pregnant for almost 42 weeks.

Not that I really mind, physically. I still feel great, and I really do love being pregnant. If it wasn’t for the complications that a pitocin induced labor could potentially mean for my vbac, I wouldn’t mind at all. And if it wasn’t for the fact that placentas have a natural lifespan of about 42 weeks, I could carry her forever. (Okay, slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean).

When I first found out that I would have to be induced this Thursday, I was a wreck. I wailed. I couldn’t sleep, I was very, very negative. All of the planning that I did, all of the books I read, all of the people I talked to in order to get a vbac…and I was going to be induced. My other choice was a c-section, which to me, wasn’t a choice at all. Of course, an induction is still a vbac…it’s just I was also hoping for a NATURAL vbac, and so I was afraid that the pitocin would blow that part out of the water. Not only that, I was induced the first time, with an unripe cervix, and I fully believe that’s what caused my emergency c-section, to a certain extent. So, initially, an induction meant a repeat c-section to me, and I was devastated.

I’ve since had some time to reflect, and also, to develop a ripened cervix. The last time I was checked by the midwife, I was told I was starting to open! Which, even if she doesn’t make it out in two days on her own, is still a very, very good thing, because it at least means my body is (more) ready to have the baby this time.

Not only that, I’ve come to think of the induction process somewhat differently than I did before. Because I had been absolutely against induction when I first found out, I viewed the attending OB who suggested it, and even my midwife, a little, as the enemy. The medical establishment was, once again, taking away my role in the birth process. Last time, I was a first time mother, and I didn’t know any better, and I let them do whatever they wanted to me. This time, I was going to fight them, dagnabbit! But really, once the anger passed, and the more I thought about it, it’s not like that. While the birth isn’t starting out the way I wanted it to, I need not allow my whole plan to derail. That’s another thing I learned as a second time mother: just trust your gut. I don’t plan to go to the hospital that morning hostile. That would be stupid. But I do plan on talking to the doctor that day, and telling him that I am not his patient (because I’m not). Perhaps in every other type of practice, there are patients, and there are doctors. But in this labor process, he and I are partners. I know he has had many years of training, and seen many cases and women, but this is my child, this is my body, and this is only going to be a good experience for all three of us if I can trust him. And I can only trust him if he respects me. If something needs to be done, explain to me why. If I don’t want something to be done, and it’s not absolutely necessary for the health of myself or my child, then respect my wishes.

I refuse to be a bystander at my own child’s birth. I am not a patient, I am a partner.

Episode 132 | March 30, 2009

Sarah’s Birth Story

Sarah is back to share her birthing story. We’ll find out if she was induced, hear about her surprise rupture of membranes, and the pros and cons of the epidural wearing off a little too early. Plus, the winner of the $100 shopping spree at AmonMaternity.com

Click below to listen to this week’s episode of PregTASTIC Pregnancy Podcast

Episode 61 | July 23, 2007

Annie’s Birth Story

Why was Annie induced? Why did she break all the rules of delivery? And conflicting breastfeeding advice. Annie and Rob join us to talk about the birth of baby Matty. A contest winner! And a caller shares how she was the last to learn of her pregnancy.