Every birth is different, and Kristin and Justin have learned this firsthand with the birth of their second child, Daniel Justin, on May 25, 2021. They welcomed their first child in a spontaneous labor free of interventions and had plans to do the same with baby #2. But in the last weeks of Kristin’s pregnancy, her blood pressure crept up to concerning levels. In fact, it rose so high at her 36-week prenatal appointment, that her midwife recommended she head to the hospital for induction that day. This unforeseen development had Kristin and Justin scrambling to adjust their plans for the birth as well as big sister’s care. But they made it work and were able to check-in to the hospital as directed.

Kristin and her providers talked a lot about options and various ways to get labor going. Since it was still early, her cervix was dilated just 1 cm, and not showing signs of imminent labor, they would need to ripen her cervix first. But with her blood pressure remaining alarmingly high, it was also important to make certain it remained in safe levels before any sign of contractions, let alone active labor contractions. Magnesium sulfate was the chosen medication to treat her high blood pressure, but it brought with it certain complications that made labor more of a challenge than expected.

Contractions had hardly begun when Kristin did some soul searching. She was already feeling awful from the magnesium and was bed-ridden from it, not to mention the catheter and leg cuffs that were part of the package deal. She was in pain from the bed and felt sick from the blood pressure medicine and the contractions hadn’t even really started yet. The road ahead was most certainly a long one and she would remain on the magnesium sulfate for at least 24 hours after the birth. And there was also the question of whether her son would have the stamina for labor. Taking everything into consideration, and after a birth team pow pow, Kristin decided she would prefer to have a c-section knowing her son would be born, her blood pressure would have the opportunity to improve sooner, and she would be of the mag asap. It was by no means a decision she would have imagined making, but in this situation, there was empowerment for her in the choice. Her providers were diligent in detailing the risks, and just as thoroughly reviewed the process and how it would go. And sooner than expected, there was an OR ready. Justin and I waited while Kristin was wheeled back, but he was summoned soon after. Daniel Justin was born at 9:59 pm, less than 30 minutes from when Kristin left the room.

Sweet Daniel Justin was born very small, likely due to the blood pressure issues and the strained placenta. He weighed 4 lb. 11 oz. and was 18.5 in. long. And best of all, he was born with very strong Apgar’s of 8/9, showing everyone in the room that he might be small, but he was strong and ready. (Kind of like his mom!) Daniel’s birth just goes to show that every birth is different because every baby is different. Even Kristin’s pregnancies were different, and her babies needed different births. At the time of this writing, Daniel is getting chunkier by the day and is loved on by big sister. And Kristin is also doing much better. Hindsight only helps bring clarity to this as the best decision and there are no regrets. Kristin made the best decision for herself and her baby and I am so proud of her for it. I was honored to accompany them on this journey of birth, but also the journey of self-discovery through self-advocacy.

The Birth of Daniel Justin 5/25/21