09/26/2025
Cierra was a first time birthing mom, who was diagnosed with gestational hypertension during her pregnancy. During our meetings, Cierra had a strong desire to use as little medication and intervention as possible. While she was pregnant, Cierra went to prenatal yoga, walked, took labor prep supplements, and lots of other things to prep her mind and body for labor.
When she went into her routine 40 week appointment her bp was elevated more than what was typical for her, so her and her provider thought it would be best to induce her labor. She went into the hospital that evening to start the process. That night, around 9pm, her cervix was checked (3cm 80% thinnned). Cytotec was inserted, and Cierra was able to rest through the night.
The next morning, her birth team began a slow drop of pitocin (around 10am) by 11:45am, I had arrived to help set up Cierra’s birth space & help with comfort measures. About 15 minutes later, while Cierra was laboring on the toilet, her water broke. Her contractions began to feel much more intense. Cierra really enjoyed laboring in the tub, and she was able to do that with the wireless monitors and portable blood pressure cuff. Her partner and I were in the bathroom with her, keeping her water warm & giving words of encouragement.
By about 1:25pm Cierra began to bear down on her own. Feeling like she may be close to pushing time, I called her provider & nurse in. While we were waiting on them, Cierra’s partner, and I got her out of the tub and onto her labor bed. To everyone’s surprise she was complete and ready to push! Cierra began by pushing on her back, but after several minutes, decided to stand up. By standing, Cierra used gravity to help her push. She birthed her sweet baby boy at 2:31pm 🤍
