My birth was similarly traumatic and liberating. We were prepping for the in-hospital birthing center at Mount Sinai West ( the only hospital in the city in 2016 that had a birthing center). As romantic a notion a home birth was, at 36 and pregnant with a child I had desired for years, I wasn’t courageous enough to birth in our then 1 bdrm apartment. He was due August 4 th, and my water broke 4 th of July, just as fireworks were exploding everywhere. We rushed to the hospital, and after the longest night of everything I did not anticipate - I was still only 1 cm dilated. I wish I had a doula to advocate for us. I did say yes to the epidural as they induced me - after which I dilated to 10 cm within the hour…. Baby was in distress but already crowning, so I was blessed w a vaginal birth and then NICQ ( luckily this WAS The best one, the nurses were wonderful and supportive). After 2 days I was released and would spend most of my days in the hospital with him , pumping like a mad woman, until we brought him home ( 6 days later). You wouldn’t know he was a late preemie now, he’s a big dude, but then he was a tiny being in my arms, living on my breast. Time flies and wounds heal and ultimately the only feeling that lives on is love. Thank you for sharing your story. Happy Mother’s day - the best job in creation🙏🏻
Oh wow!!! That sounds so intense, but also so filled with joy and relief. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your story too. I can also relate to what you shared about pumping like a madwomen. I wanted so badly to have a natural birth and was so worried I wouldn’t get the chance to nurse her I made it a priority after the birth to do whatever I could do to support it. It was all worth it in the end, and you’re right that the wounds do heal and the most important blessing is just having them safe in your arms. Happy Mother’s day to you too and wishing you all the love in the world! ❤️
My birth was similarly traumatic and liberating. We were prepping for the in-hospital birthing center at Mount Sinai West ( the only hospital in the city in 2016 that had a birthing center). As romantic a notion a home birth was, at 36 and pregnant with a child I had desired for years, I wasn’t courageous enough to birth in our then 1 bdrm apartment. He was due August 4 th, and my water broke 4 th of July, just as fireworks were exploding everywhere. We rushed to the hospital, and after the longest night of everything I did not anticipate - I was still only 1 cm dilated. I wish I had a doula to advocate for us. I did say yes to the epidural as they induced me - after which I dilated to 10 cm within the hour…. Baby was in distress but already crowning, so I was blessed w a vaginal birth and then NICQ ( luckily this WAS The best one, the nurses were wonderful and supportive). After 2 days I was released and would spend most of my days in the hospital with him , pumping like a mad woman, until we brought him home ( 6 days later). You wouldn’t know he was a late preemie now, he’s a big dude, but then he was a tiny being in my arms, living on my breast. Time flies and wounds heal and ultimately the only feeling that lives on is love. Thank you for sharing your story. Happy Mother’s day - the best job in creation🙏🏻
Oh wow!!! That sounds so intense, but also so filled with joy and relief. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your story too. I can also relate to what you shared about pumping like a madwomen. I wanted so badly to have a natural birth and was so worried I wouldn’t get the chance to nurse her I made it a priority after the birth to do whatever I could do to support it. It was all worth it in the end, and you’re right that the wounds do heal and the most important blessing is just having them safe in your arms. Happy Mother’s day to you too and wishing you all the love in the world! ❤️
This is such an inspiring and beautiful story. I hope many expectant and new mothers get a chance to read it.
Thank you Roberta! It was so cathartic to write about. Hope it can help other mothers who might be going through something similar.