Martha hoped and prepared for a low intervention birth and ended up getting just about every intervention! She tried everything to get labor to start on its own but she ultimately was induced at 41 weeks. After 40 hours of labor with no pain medication other than nitrous oxide, she opted for an epidural. Soon after she was advised to get a non-emergency C-section because unfortunately things had plateaued.

The C-section was fortunately not traumatic but it was the opposite of what she wanted. Her postpartum was beautiful but she also needed time to grieve the loss of the birthing experience she had hoped for. Today, she is feeling grateful to be bonded with her baby and wants listeners to take this story as a reminder that even if you have a challenging pregnancy and birth you can have a joyful and "easy" postpartum.

• How she was envisioning her birth when she was preparing for it
• Why she opted for midwives in a hospital setting
• How she bargained for specifically 41 weeks and 3 days
• Which methods she used to try and induce labor
• Why she preferred Cytotec to Cirvidil
• Whether a balloon or Pitocin were helpful
• Why she said yes to an epidural and how she responded to it
• What doctors mean when they refer to your baby as “sleepy” during labor
• Why she was grateful her doctor used a clear curtain during the C-section

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode274

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