08/13/2025
Mav’s Birth Story
With my first birth, my heart was set on a natural delivery. I envisioned strength, control, and the beauty of bringing my baby into the world on my own terms. But after a long, exhausting labor and an hour of pushing, I ended up in the operating room for a C-section. We were only home for a day before I had to be readmitted with postpartum preeclampsia. That experience left me with emotional and physical scars — and a deep desire for something different next time.
Fast forward to my pregnancy with Mav. This time, I was determined that things would be different. I wanted to feel in control. I assembled a strong team of doulas for both support and education. I furthered my education in preeclampsia. I poured myself into preparation — physical exercise, Spinning Babies, chiropractic care, pelvic floor work, and daily affirmations.
From the beginning, the doctors labeled me “high risk” because of my previous C-section, history of postpartum preeclampsia, and now, gestational diabetes. Their focus was on induction; mine was on understanding my true risks and making informed decisions. Their plan was induction at 39 weeks. I said no.
For weeks, we had the same conversations, the same pushback, and the same frustrations — but I stayed firm. My goal was a VBAC on my terms.
At 40 weeks and 6 days, labor began at 7 p.m. I used every tool I had to labor at home as long as possible — moving, breathing, trusting my body. Six hours later, I arrived at the hospital and learned I was already 10 centimeters dilated. I was in control.
The team at Kaiser was everything I had hoped for — supportive, respectful, and patient. My husband, my doula, and the incredible staff surrounded me with encouragement. Two hours after being admitted, and just 30 minutes of pushing, Mav made his way into my arms.
No rushing. No pressure. Just instinct, trust, and time.
It was redemptive. It was healing. It was empowering.
This was my dream birth — not because it was perfect, but because it was mine.
