Bonsie Birth Stories: A Low-Intervention Hospital Birth with Emily

When Emily became pregnant with her second baby, she decided she wanted to have a low-intervention hospital birth. She had a difficult labor and recovery after having her first baby and was hopeful for a different experience with her second. She shared this information with her OB-GYN, who was very supportive.

Emily also hired a doula, Ashley, to be with her during labor and delivery, and this made such a positive difference. Additionally, Emily took time to prepare her mind and body for labor by regularly practicing prenatal yoga, taking a birthing class, and working with her husband on breathing strategies, counterpressure techniques, and labor positions.

“Three days before my son's due date, I had some blood pressure issues and ended up in triage. I advocated for not being induced, and with my doctor's support, I was able to go home to rest,” Emily said.

On her baby’s due date, she felt like she could be in labor, and her doctor confirmed that her amniotic fluid was low. Baby time!

Emily and her son after birth

“As I shared, my doctor knew of my desire to have a low-intervention birth, so she opted to give me a ‘whiff of Pitocin’ and broke my water to get things going, as I was already in natural labor.

“The team of my wonderful, supportive husband, a nurse who had experience with low-intervention birth, and my doula supported me throughout the whole process. Everyone reminded me that every contraction was bringing me closer to meeting my baby and that I was safe and cared for. The love and support I felt helped me feel empowered to bring my son into the world four hours after my water was broken,” Emily said.

She described her unmedicated labor as fast, intense, and a very special time.

“My labor and delivery went just as I had hoped, and it healed my previous birth trauma in a way that I didn't know I needed. I was so elated immediately after his birth when I reflected on the process from start to finish.”

Overall, Emily’s experience was so positive that she opted for the same birth plan and birth team when she delivered her third baby.

What we especially want to highlight from Emily’s birth story is that she took actionable steps to achieve the birthing experience she wanted. Because she was not satisfied with the way things went during her first delivery, she made a plan to change the outcome for her second. She and her husband took birthing classes to prepare for a low-intervention labor, hired a doula to provide support, and Emily adjusted her plans in the best interest of her baby while still advocating for herself. She went into the entire experience with her eyes wide open, armed with knowledge and confident that she was making the right decisions for herself.

These are the kinds of stories that inspire other women to follow suit by fully preparing for labor and delivery. We hope that Emily’s determination to achieve her goals inspires our community of new moms in the same way it inspires us.

As a side note, more doulas are now being covered—or at least partially covered—by insurance. More on this later.