Written by Ma\u00eblle<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With respect for lived experiences, we share here a birth story as it was entrusted to our team. This testimony reflects a personal experience, unique to the person telling it. Every pregnancy journey is different, and medical practices can vary depending on the clinical context.
This text does not include any medical recommendations. For any questions regarding your health or your baby\u2019s health, please always consult your healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to keep the umbilical cord attached for a few moments after birth. When I mentioned this plan, I was told it increased the risk of jaundice, citing online numbers and mentioning ongoing studies about phototherapy. I was also told that if I insisted, I would have to sign a waiver.
That moment – rather than being an open and caring discussion, left me feeling mistrustful and isolated.
I would have liked to be told about options, nuances, and context – not fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After that appointment, where I was told about the \u201cstuck baby,\u201d anxiety completely took over my thoughts. I remembered my first pregnancy, which ended with an induction. It was a difficult experience: a lot of pain, a lot of tears, and above all, the conviction that my body was \u201cnot capable.\u201d
No one had explained to me what a Bishop score was or how much it could influence the success of an induction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I didn\u2019t really know what shoulder dystocia was, so I took the time to research it using several reliable sources. The more I read, the angrier I became, and even now, as I write about it, I still feel that frustration.
The more I learned, the more ridiculous the induction seemed. Yet at the same time, seeing what could happen made me even more afraid of being induced. Looking back, I think it might not have been just a medical decision, but rather a strategic one. I still feel bitter about it. Anxiety was there\u2026 \u201cWhat if this happens? But what if\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I finally managed to stay in the present moment and make my decisions based on my current pregnancy, my condition, and my baby\u2019s.
After reading so much about it, I realized it wasn\u2019t really about prevention – it was about control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I have to say that by going through this induction story, I realized that by becoming the mother of a little girl, every time I respected myself, I was teaching her to do the same. And that starts at the very beginning of her story.
So, with all my courage, I said no to induction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day of my delivery, I was completely down. I was afraid they would insist again at my next appointment. At some point, I told myself: you\u2019re going to give birth soon, you want a natural birth, so your mind needs to be strong, stop being down. And a few hours later\u2026 it all started naturally – it was like something out of a movie. At 1 p.m., I started timing. After 30 minutes, we realized my contractions were every 2 minutes and 30 seconds. I went to see my husband, and we left in a hurry. On the way, my water broke! My husband was driving like in Fast & Furious<\/em> – or almost! I felt the urge to push, and I got scared. I didn\u2019t want to give birth in the car. Luckily, Kira was with me on the phone, reassuring me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we arrived, the team was already waiting, thanks to my doula\u2019s organization. I entered the hospital screaming because the contractions were so strong. My daughter wanted out! The team there was absolutely amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 2:15, I started pushing. After trying several positions, the head appeared, and I felt the ring of fire. At that moment, I knew it was time. An incredible energy rushed through me, and with all my strength, I pushed, my daughter was born at 2:44 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A beautiful little girl weighing 7 lb 14 oz. She was in the 60th percentile, not the 97th as they had told me. By saying no to induction, I had the birth of my dreams. The next day, I was walking, going to the bathroom, and even showering. I went home with enough energy to take care of my son. Of course, fatigue came later, but nothing compared to my first birth, when my body wasn\u2019t ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s my message: we need to stop trying to control or interfere with women\u2019s uteruses. We shouldn\u2019t be pressured into making decisions based on fear, nor should essential information like the Bishop score be hidden from us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re giving birth in a hospital, get yourself a doula – it\u2019s an essential service!!! What\u2019s special about birth is that we quickly forget the pain. But we also forget to complain because we\u2019re tired, overwhelmed, and focused on our baby. So, many traumas stay silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This time, I refuse to stay silent. Because every woman deserves to be heard, informed, and respected. Because we are<\/em> capable of giving birth naturally. And honestly, I think if epidurals were no longer given to women, they would realize their power – and that would probably spark a revolution. But that\u2019s another story!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next time someone tries to scare you, remember that you have the right to refuse anyone trying to control your uterus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, I tell myself that I did the right thing by listening to and asserting myself. I am very proud of that. The new mother who was born that day is much more confident and that is truly the greatest gift I could have given myself and my children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Written by Ma\u00eblle Context Note from the Co-op With respect for lived experiences, we share here a birth story as it was entrusted to our team. This testimony reflects a personal experience, unique to the person telling it. Every pregnancy journey is different, and medical practices can vary depending on the clinical context.This text does […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birth-stories"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
So I managed to let go. I also talked to my daughter: Come on girl, we can do it!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 12:15, I had contractions that felt different from the ones I\u2019d been having for weeks. At 12:42, I called Kira, my doula. She told me to download an app to time my contractions. My house was a mess, so I tidied up the kitchen a bit and continued doing laundry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prepare yourself mentally because it\u2019s a marathon.
Don\u2019t let anyone scare you if you and your baby are doing well. You have the right to say you want to wait and see what happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n