Birth Stories
Without experience or knowledge, the birth experience may often be met with fear. The beautiful birth stories below are shared to help empower parents as they embark on their own unique birth journey.
"Stories teach us in ways we can remember. They teach us that each woman responds to birth in her unique way and how very wide-ranging that way can be" -Ina May Gaskin
"We officially welcomed baby to our family!! He weighed in at 7lb 6oz and 21” Long. My water broke about 2AM Friday morning before actually going into labor which led to a long day of Pitocin and pushing...but eventually he made it safe and sound! We are exhausted but feel immensely blessed. I did eventually end up getting an epidural but before that I kept hearing your calming voice telling me to 'breathe through the waves'. ” -Jessica
"At my 35 week appt, we went in for a routine ultrasound and the tech found out that I had full placenta previa and that my daughter was only in the 7th percentile for growth. She scheduled a c-section for a few days later in hopes she would be able to grow better on the outside.
Caroline spent 12 long days in the NICU due to breathing issues and fluid issues, but she finally was discharged on Tuesday!
During the whole process, I kept thinking about you and how you said everyone has a different pregnancy story. Surely mine wasn’t the one I always dreamed of, however, we are so thankful to have our healthy little one at home now.
I wanted to share this with you in case any other mom have to go through the NICU process with their babies. It’s beyond stressful and exhausting, but I’m happy to talk to anyone going through a similar situation. They did a great job with our baby. " -Missy
"I’m sad I missed the last few weeks of yoga but definitely used the mind and body connection we talked so much about during my 30 hour labor. I did end up having to have a cesarean because my body was just not progressing and they were worried about infection as my water has broken over 24 hours earlier. But we welcomed baby at 8:05 last night-8 pounds 3 ounces 20.5 inches long " -Caitie
"I woke up Monday feeling some slightly painful Braxton-Hicks contractions and had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon. Since she was a day overdue and the ultrasound that day showed she was going to be 9+ pounds he swept my membranes and we scheduled an inducement for Tuesday at 6:30am. Around 9:30pm I started having real contractions. They built up significantly and at midnight I threw up, which I learned in my birthing class a sign to call the doctor, and we headed to Lake Norman hospital at 12:30pm. I was 2cm dilated and about 85% effaced that afternoon, and I labored with some fentanyl until about 4am and was 4-5cm dilated. I got an epidural at that time and honestly that was beyond amazing. I was fortunate that though my contractions decreased in frequency they were still intense and I continued to dilate without pitocin, and by about 12pm I was 10cm. The peanut ball helped with that progression and I was able to get a couple of naps in during the morning. I pushed for about two hours and my husband got to help deliver our little girl. She weighed in at 9lb, 8oz and 20 inches long, and had great color thanks to delayed cord clamping." -Meredith
"We welcomed baby at 2:05 pm. He was 7 lbs 10 oz and all is well. I had a long labor, but the yoga breathing helped me breathe into the discomfort and focus when I needed to. Although I wish I could have attended more regularly, I’m so glad I joined the group and appreciate all you and the Mamas had to offer. Please feel free to share this email with the group. It’s all worth it once you hold that baby!!" - Brittany
"Labor was 100% all back labor/contractions. My back pain started at 11pm Friday night so I was up all night having 90sec back pains every 15min. Finally at 5:30am I called Dr to tell him and because I hadnt felt baby move in hours he said head on in to get checked at hospital. Sure enough I was 5cm dilated and had been in full labor while at home! I received epidural once at 7cm and I pushed for a little over an hour once it was go time. I definitely used all my breathing techniques you taught me to get through the pain and had both my Dr and nurse say how great It was, so thank you again!! " -Ashley