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
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)
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
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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).