My Birth Story

Every birth story is different and very special to parents, especially for us as mothers, whether it is your first time or your fifth time. Anyways, this is my story. Read on.

I love my birth story. I love it because it’s mine. I made the decisions. I wasn’t pressured into anything and it was a smooth experience.

Did I have a birth plan? No. All I knew was that I wanted all the medications I could get and I didn't want to be induced. I had just heard so many horror stories about inductions gone wrong and women ending up having C-sections anyway. That seemed like a waste of time to me and I felt like my body and baby would know when they were ready……I was very right about that.

My story begins on Thursday, October 20, 2022. I went to my gynecologist office for my 39 week appointment. I was 39 weeks +5 days at this appointment. They told me that my blood pressure was high and I had some swelling so they wanted to send me to the hospital to start the induction process. In their mind, there was no reason to wait because I was almost at my due date and I have a blood clotting disorder. They didn't wanna take any risks. I totally understood their decision, but this was not what I had wanted to happen.

When we got to the hospital, we went through triage and they decided to admit me and start the induction process. The first thing they do is put a medication into your cervix called Cervidil. Cervidil is supposed to start dilation and hopefully the labor process. You keep the medication in there for about 12 hours and then they check you for dilation. During those 12 hours, you can sleep, relax, and try to enjoy yourself as much as you can. What they don't tell you about labor and delivery is how uncomfortable it is! You are hooked up to baby monitors that have to be adjusted every time you move. You have a blood pressure cuff on one arm and an IV pole attached to the other. Oh yeah, and you're still pregnant so you have to pee every 10 minutes. After the twelve hours, they checked me for dilation and there was nothing. I had a feeling because I hadn't been feeling any cramping at all.

It was about 10 a.m. at this point and my sister finally arrived. My birth team was complete. I had Roland and my sister, and I felt really happy to see her. She is just so validating and funny and helps me relax. After this, the nurse told me that it was time to take a shower and have my last meal before starting the next round of medication, which was called Cytotec. Already, I'm doing the math in my head. So, I am going to have to take seven doses of this and then, if I'm still not dilated, they're gonna move onto Pitocin. By that point, it will be day three of labor, I will not have slept and I will not have eaten either. Then, they're going to ask me to do the most difficult task ever asked of any woman. I'm going to have to go through very painful contractions and then extract this baby from my body. Make it make sense? But I followed her instructions like a good patient. I took a shower and ate some Tim Hortons and started the doses of Cytotec. After about 3 to 4 doses, I decided that I was done with the induction process. It was 7 PM by this point and I demanded to see a doctor. I refused to take any more medication until I could speak to the resident that was on call. I can't really explain what came over my body but I know that it was my intuition. I knew my baby wasn't ready and I knew my body wasn't ready.

The doctor finally came and checked me one more time for dilation and of course, I hadn't dilated at all. They needed permission from my gynecologist to go ahead with the elective C-section and they did end up getting it. They started prepping me for surgery when my gynecologist came in. She was very rude and very angry. She had agreed to the elective C-section, but she was not happy about it. She told me I was doing this against her medical consent and that she believed I should finish the induction process. It was very awkward in that room with my sister and boyfriend, but I truly didn't care. I had made up my mind and I was ready to meet my baby.

When they prep you for surgery, they shave your pubic hair and insert a catheter. The anesthesiologist comes in and explains the process to you. He was a very gentle soul and I really appreciated his calm energy.

Then they wheel you in for surgery and you meet your baby about 30 minutes later. The epidural felt like a bee sting, but then it felt like the greatest, most relaxing experience of my life. I had been pregnant for 10 months and now I could finally relax and feel comfortable.

Ravi Thomas Bundor was born on October 21 at 11:48 PM. He weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. He immediately peed on the gynecologist and I think that was on purpose.

I'm so grateful for my birth team. Roland was calm and supportive of all the decisions that I was making. My sister made me feel good and comfortable and she was so giving to both me and Roland in those moments. She even went out at 1 AM to get Tylenol for Roland, who had a splitting headache by the time the saga was over.

Again, I loved my birth team and my birth experience. I hope you got the experience you wanted! I’d love to hear other peoples’ stories in the comments!

Love,

The Bundor Family