Our Baby Girl’s Birth

September 24th was supposed to be my last full day of work because I was so sure she’d arrive after her estimated due date… but she had plans of her own!

Our sweet baby girl was born on September 24th, 2020, exactly 1 week before her estimated due date. 

Let’s take a step back… 

Through my own health and fertility journey I learned that protocol is typically well behind the research and if you want the best outcomes you should either work with someone that's evidence-based or do the research yourself. 

We chose to do a little of both! 

My husband and I hired a Doula very early in our pregnancy (highly recommend doing this!!). I used Evidenced Based Birth for guidance in preparing my birth plan, read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, and practiced hypnobirthing in preparation for the big day. 

My wish was to experience labor and delivery unmedicated, supported by my husband and doula in a hospital birth center. 

I believe birth is a very natural, normal process that has been heavily medicalized in the USA. 

However, a homebirth didn’t feel right to us due to the distance from the hospital and how stressed my husband would have been. Birth flows much better when everyone feels safe and stress is decreased as much as possible so we compromised how we would prep for birth & by making sure to hire a doula.

I started having contractions at about 11:30 pm on September 23rd. It didn’t even cross my mind to question whether they were contractions or not. I had been having Braxton hicks for several months prior and these were definitely different. They were about 10 minutes apart and I was able to sleep on and off between them for several hours. 

I figured it would take hours if not days for them to get closer together… 

I didn’t even wake up my husband!

Things progressed a bit quicker than I had thought they would! My water broke at about 4:30 am! 

Fun fact, only 10% of women have their water break as the first sign of labor.

This wasn’t technically my first sign but it was pretty shocking! 

I flipped on my bedside lamp and woke up my husband. Luckily, our doula had suggested that I start sleeping on waterproof pads, otherwise, our mattress would have been ruined (and I’m sure shopping for mattresses when you just had a baby isn’t fun). 

My husband helped me to the bathroom and I grabbed my phone to call the hospital. The doctor on call asked me a series of questions and recommended that if I didn’t feel the baby move in the next couple of hours to head to the hospital. I contacted my doula to update her and jumped in the shower while timing my contractions.

I had a hospital bag packed ahead of time but threw together last-minute items and the food bag with all of the snacks. 

I wasn’t feeling much movement from the baby so we decided to head to the hospital at about 6:30 am. 

I had originally hoped to labor at home with my doula for as long as possible, but since my water broke and there was very little movement from the baby it felt best to go get checked in at the hospital. 

Unfortunately, our doula couldn’t join us at the hospital due to Covid-19 restrictions. This is a conversation for another time, but we were very unhappy about this. Doulas should not be considered visitors!

We were checked in at the hospital at 7:00 am and they confirmed that my water had broke (I’m not sure what other clear liquid would be gushing out of me) and they hooked me up to monitors. 

By this point my contractions were around 6 minutes apart, still totally manageable with breath work and movement. I was about 3 cm dilated at this point.

I requested intermittent monitoring so I could walk around and labor however felt best for my body. Once they confirmed the baby's heartbeat was stable and there were no concerns they unhooked the monitors and we made ourselves at home.

My husband was a rockstar birth partner! 

He was very involved in learning about the process in preparation for the big day and during labor he was in contact with our doula for additional tips depending on what was happening. 

I started having pretty intense back labor so my husband started applying counterpressure which made all of the difference! Back labor is a sign that the baby isn’t turned with their face looking at your back (the ideal position to push the baby out). Our doula coached me on positions to help move the baby down and encourage them to turn.

I labored in the bathtub, on a mat on the ground in lunging positions and walking the halls. Sitting or lying down was not at all comfortable for me! 

We requested limited cervix checks since the risk of infection goes up after your water has broken and they can disrupt labor. 

Once my contractions started getting much more intense the midwife on shift checked my cervix and let us know I was 9cm! 

Soon after this there was a shift in how the contractions felt and there started to be a lot of pressure.

Since I was laboring in a hospital, I had to get on the bed at this point. I could still be on my hands and knees or side or even squatting if I wanted, I just had to be on the bed. 

This is something I was aware of going into labor but it was a lot harder than I expected to get comfortable on the bed. I ended up on my back. 

This is where having our doula present would have been a game changer. She was on the phone coaching my husband as needed throughout labor but I know it would have been helpful to have her in person helping with positions especially once the medical team was in the room. 

Our OBGYN was trained by midwives so she was supportive but still all about hospital protocol… and really what is easiest for the medical team. 

Did you know that being on your back with your legs spread actually closes your pelvis? At least having knees in and feet out would have been helpful.

I do believe our baby girl would have come easier if I wasn’t on my back. I ended up pushing for about 45 minutes and thanks to ignoring how the nurse was coaching my pushing, I didn’t have any tearing. 

Don’t get me wrong, our nurse was great but again driven by a medical background. Breathing through contractions as you push is the way to go! Hypnobirthing is great at coaching you on this.

Reading many natural birth stories was helpful for understanding what to expect with the stages of labor and delivery too.

We kept our baby girl's gender a surprise until we saw her. 

For some reason we were convinced that we were having a boy, so when my husband got to announce the gender we were very surprised! 

It is seriously the best surprise ever and I can’t wait to do it again in a few months (aka October 2023)!

Emilia Jean Boskovich was 7lbs 7oz and 20 inches long at birth. She arrived right before 7:00 pm on September 24th, almost 12 hours after we checked in at the hospital. 

The medical team respected our wishes for delayed cord clamping and an undisturbed golden hour. Birth is a transformative process and having this time to bond is so special. 

I am thankful for everything I learned by giving birth in this setting. 

Overall we had a great experience but there are a few things I will pay more attention to if we decide to give birth in a hospital birth center again.

I know that the support I had during pregnancy was very valuable for preparing my mind and body for natural labor and birth. 

Your journey towards a natural and uncomplicated birth starts with preconception!

Nutrition & lifestyle are a big part of decreasing and even preventing risk factors that arise during pregnancy and can alter your ideal birth plan. Mineral balance and overall nutrient status for instance decrease the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. 

If you’re currently trying to conceive — or thinking about getting started — and are looking for a quick reliable resource to improve your nutrient status, check out my Nutrition for Fertility Starter Kit!