30: Delaying Induction: Self-Advocacy Strategies

03/24/20 • 92 min

Today, Birth Matters alums Jess & Rich share the story of their firstborn son’s birth. Jess explains how super-prepared she was, reading up on everything she could get her hands on, hiring a doula in the 2nd trimester, focusing on eating nutrient-dense foods, taking prenatal yoga classes and childbirth education classes. She proceeds to share how, while she had very much hoped for a completely unmedicated birth, she and Rich were able to swing with the curve balls they were dealt toward a satisfying, great birth experience. They go into details about being induced at 41 weeks 6 days after refusing to be scheduled for several days leading up to that, and proceeding with an induction using cytotec, a foley balloon, and artificially rupturing the membranes. This story is an example of an induction in which pitocin wasn’t needed (not the most common road for an induction to take, but can happen), for which Jess was very thankful. They’ll also share about how they chose a doula, how Rich and doula Tia worked together optimally, and about early breastfeeding challenges and receiving the support of both Tia and then an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Finally, they’ll share a couple of tips for the journey into parenthood.

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Previous Episode

29: [BIRTH] Yoda-Quoting Nurse Helps Support Induction w/o Pain Meds

Today, Alicia shares details about her hospital induction, which she was able to manage without pain medications. Before she gets into that, she talks about the various ways she equipped herself with as much knowledge as she needed to feel confident going into the process of giving birth. Because her blood pressure read high and amniotic fluid looked borderline low at 39½ weeks, the decision was made to induce labor. She describes the many hours that proceed from there, how their doula provided comfort measures, and how praying helped center her through to the pushing stage. Alicia also shares some details of early breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and her tips for expectant parents on building support and a knowledge base.

Next Episode

31: A Parent's Cancer Diagnosis During Pregnancy & Postpartum Anxiety

A few days before celebrating their daughter’s first birthday, Nissa & Brit share the story of an unexpectedly quick first labor with the support of a doula. You'll hear about how a preexisting condition Nissa has, Crohn's Disease, caused confusion when she actually went into labor. She shares the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis her mom got in the middle of Nissa’s pregnancy and mentions a therapeutic method that was helpful to her. She details how she thinks her background and training in acting was helpful in giving birth, while Brit explains how being a parent has helped him become a better, more present professional actor. They describe what it was like to meet their daughter for the first time, go through some of the ways they worked together as a team in the early weeks, and point out strengths they've seen in each other as they've become parents.

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Show notes (transcript, resources, photos)
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Birth Matters - 30: Delaying Induction: Self-Advocacy Strategies

Transcript

Lisa00:00:00.369

You are listening to the Birth Matters Podcast, Episode 30.

Rich00:00:03.410

I had a hard time believing he was real. I think because we had done so much preparation and taken your course and knew about the process, I forgot at the end of it that there'd be a baby. I thought I'd cry going into it. And then when he came out I was just kind of in shock. They were really good about skin-to-skin right away, so I saw him wai