My Birth Experience: What I Learned for the Future
Every birth story is different, and mine came with its own challenges. While many moms find epidurals to be a huge relief, my experience was quite the opposite. Instead of making labor easier, it introduced unexpected difficulties that changed how I view pain management and birth preparation.
A Change in Birth Plans
Throughout my pregnancy, my doctor advised me that a C-section (Cesarean section, a surgical procedure where the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdomen and uterus) would likely be necessary due to my low pelvic structure (meaning my pelvis was shaped in a way that could make vaginal delivery difficult). With that in mind, a C-section was scheduled for my due date, January 14, 2023.
However, on January 12th at 2:30 AM, my water broke unexpectedly. Since I had mentally prepared for surgery, I wasn’t expecting to go into natural labor and hadn’t done any physical preparation for it.
The Epidural and Its Unexpected Effects
I had always planned to get an epidural (a type of anesthesia injected into the lower back to numb pain from the waist down)—not because of intense pain, but as a way to stay comfortable throughout labor. So, when I arrived at the hospital, I requested it right away, thinking it would help me manage the experience better.
However, the epidural completely numbed me, making it difficult to feel my contractions or even control my pushes when the time came. My baby was also in a side-facing (occiput transverse) position, which means instead of facing downward, his head was turned sideways, making delivery more difficult. Despite pushing as hard as I could, nothing seemed to change.
Overcoming Delivery Challenges
After several attempts to push without progress, my doctor performed an episiotomy (a small surgical cut made in the perineum—the area between the vagina and anus—to widen the birth canal and help the baby come out more easily).
But even with the episiotomy, my baby still wasn’t moving down.
Then, things became more urgent—his heart rate started to drop, meaning he wasn’t getting enough oxygen. If he wasn’t delivered soon, it could become risky. Since I couldn’t push effectively due to the epidural, a nurse had to apply fundal pressure (a technique where a medical professional presses on the top of the uterus to help push the baby downward). It was an incredibly intense experience, but it finally worked, and my son was born.
Post-Delivery Recovery & Reflections
Although I was relieved to meet my baby, my body had gone through a lot. I lost a significant amount of blood, fainted, and needed blood transfusions (a procedure where donated blood is given through an IV to replace lost blood).
Even two years later, I still experience some back pain from the epidural, and for some reason, I haven’t been able to sleep on my stomach since.
Looking back, I’ve realized the importance of being prepared for any birth outcome. Since I expected a C-section, I didn’t do any of the labor-friendly exercises that could have helped me during delivery. If I had been better prepared, things might have gone differently.
What I’ll Do Differently Next Time
For my next pregnancy, I plan to:
✅ Prepare for both C-section and vaginal delivery, just in case.
✅ Do exercises that support natural labor.
✅ Consider alternative pain management options.
✅ Avoid the epidural, since it affected my ability to push.
Birth can be unpredictable, and every mom’s experience is different. While my delivery was challenging, it taught me valuable lessons that I’ll carry with me for the future.