When Do You Make the Call for a Cesarean?, with Hayley Gallagher Katz

Hayley Gallagher Katz had set out to have a non-medicated waterbirth with a midwife and doula. So what happens after a month of prodromal labor, 40 hours of induction, the worst headache of her life, and lots of oozing meconium? Check it out.

What we talked about:

• Four years + IVF = finally a baby!
• Planning an unmedicated waterbirth with a midwife and doula
• The anticipation of  a whole month of prodromal labor
• A “not delightful” membrane sweep
• 10 days past, with really bad headaches
• Deciding on an induction
• “It’s like your brain is having the contractions!!”
• More Pit vs. break water vs. turn it off and reset
• Switch to Cytotec (prostagladins)
• Happy to finally feel some contraction pain, for a change!
• In goes the IntraUterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC), out pours the meconium
• Taking the time to call a friend
• Making a decision from a place of confidence AND being treated with respect and kindness
• The importance of learning about cesareans
• A calm and considerate cesarean
• Skin-to-skin for dad
• Taking charge: “How do we get out of here before Christmas?”
• Going through 2 doulas

Meeting baby!

Resources and links to info mentioned on the show*:

• Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC), by Robin Elise Weiss for VeryWellFamily
• Uterine Polarity (not the prettiest of websites, but the gif is super cool)
• Slide show on “Normal Uterine Action” (aka, more than you ever wanted to know about the medical analysis of the workings of the uterus)

Hayley and baby, nose to nose

Related Birthful episodes:

• The Purpose of Childbirth Pain, with Rhea Dempsey
• The Induction Process, with Toni Golen
• Family-Centered Cesareans, with Dr. Pamela Berens
• Preeclampsia, Eleni Tsigas

Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).

Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).