Our sweet girl, Isabelle June, was born October 14th via urgent c section at 40w6d 💕

After noticing a change in her movements I paged our midwife and was given a non stress test. This resulted in an emergent BPP ultrasound, which we received a perfect score on. Baby’s heart rate was not showing enough acceleration or variations on the NST, and after a foley balloon induction did not bring on labor a second NST was done the next day. Unfortunately, her heart rate had shown less variations and had started to show decelerations.

At this point the consulting OB took over our care and gave us two options: 1. Continue with the induction and start oxytocin, slowly, to see if baby could handle the stress of contractions/labor. If she couldn’t, we would have to have an emergency c section. 2. Go ahead with an urgent c section that afternoon.

My mother’s instinct was strong and told me to go ahead with the c section and not try oxytocin. My husband had faith, because it was my instinct that led me to page in the first place. So, while the OB tried to encourage the oxytocin, he stood up for us and stated we would be doing what my gut told us to do.

After 35 mins of attempting the spinal, we were finally ready to go!

She arrived at 15:29, weighing 7lb 13.5oz with the cutest strawberry blonde fuzzy hair I’ve ever seen ♥️

Both my midwife (who was completely supportive throughout the 3 day ordeal) and the OB let us know that we had made the right decision, and that the oxytocin would not have been a good outcome for Isabelle. My placenta had stopped providing her adequate supply, which explained the very dormant NSTs. She had also had her first bowel movement in utero.

We have been home now for 3 days and it is hard. Processing the whirlwind we went through, sleep deprivation, hormones, incision pain, and a gassy baby have resulted in many tears for both my husband and I. But, it feels like this angel should have been in our arms all along, and I’m so in love with her.

Mommies, listen to your instincts, there is no one that knows your baby and your body like you do!!