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Birth With Power

Ep 263: Erica’s Birth Story - Loving Every Moment of Birth

·43 min·4 clips
After her water broke, Erica was told she was 9.5 cm dilated, moments from meeting her baby.
This episode features an interview with Erica, who recounts her journey through two miscarriages before a successful pregnancy. Her first miscarriage involved a dismissive doctor and an emergency room visit, while the second led her to a more supportive OB at Sutter Health. During her third pregnancy, she used progesterone and had regular ultrasounds due to her history. At 38 weeks, high blood pressure and protein in her urine prompted a labor induction at Stanford Hospital. Erica aimed for an unmedicated birth and used a birth prep course and breathing techniques from YouTube. During induction, she experienced a judgmental doctor initially but later had supportive staff, including a nurse-doula. Her water broke after Cervidil and Pitocin, revealing she was 9.5 cm dilated. She pushed for 20 minutes on her hands and knees, delivering a baby boy whose gender was a surprise. Postpartum, she had a second-degree tear, managed blood pressure with medication, and breastfed with lactation consultant support. Dr. Nicole concludes with notes on finding the right doctor, the value of exercise, listening to diverse birth stories, preparing for postpartum, and hospital practices that support unmedicated births, such as wireless monitoring and flexible birthing positions.

As heard by us

A candid hospital birth story about induction, fear, trust, and finding power inside a changing plan.

Erica's birth story follows a plan that changed fast. At 38 weeks, repeated high blood pressure and protein in her urine led her OB to recommend induction out of concern for possible complications, including preeclampsia.

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Why you'd press play

You want a hospital birth story where induction changes the day without taking over the whole story.

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