How did your labor start?
My labor started with what I later learned was probably prodromal labor. I lost my mucus plug on a Saturday, started having contractions Monday night, and had our baby girl on Wednesday afternoon.
My labor started with what I later learned was probably prodromal labor. I lost my mucus plug on a Saturday, started having contractions Monday night, and had our baby girl on Wednesday afternoon.
How did your labor go? How did you feel during labor?
It was a very long and painful labor with lots of stops and starts. Time didn’t exist. Water was a relief. I felt like I was in another realm. One thing I remember was my sense of smell being heightened. I kept sniffing my partner’s scent and it was so strong (in a good way) and comforting.
It was a very long and painful labor with lots of stops and starts. Time didn’t exist. Water was a relief. I felt like I was in another realm. One thing I remember was my sense of smell being heightened. I kept sniffing my partner’s scent and it was so strong (in a good way) and comforting.
Who was with you and how did they offer support?
My doula team and my partner were incredible. They endured alongside me at the Coit House for over 12 hours while I labored.
My doula team and my partner were incredible. They endured alongside me at the Coit House for over 12 hours while I labored.
What was it like to meet your baby?
The biggest high of your life! So much relief and joy and all the emotions.
The biggest high of your life! So much relief and joy and all the emotions.
How did your experience of giving birth compare to your expectations?
I was not prepared mentally for the pain. i had hoped for a water birth but it seemed to stall my labor. I didn’t expect to feel so mentally disconnected from what my body was intuitively doing.
I was not prepared mentally for the pain. i had hoped for a water birth but it seemed to stall my labor. I didn’t expect to feel so mentally disconnected from what my body was intuitively doing.
What were the first few weeks with a newborn like for you?
I was still shook from my crazy labor, so processing that used a lot of my energy. The learning curve of breastfeeding was hard. I tried to prepare for postpartum with meals and stuff, but I really did not expect the mental and emotional challenges I faced. I had postpartum anxiety and depression beyond the baby blues and I did seek out therapy to help.
I was still shook from my crazy labor, so processing that used a lot of my energy. The learning curve of breastfeeding was hard. I tried to prepare for postpartum with meals and stuff, but I really did not expect the mental and emotional challenges I faced. I had postpartum anxiety and depression beyond the baby blues and I did seek out therapy to help.
