After a relatively smooth and textbook pregnancy, we should have known the labor and birth of our fi...

After a relatively smooth and textbook pregnancy, we should have known the labor and birth of our first child wasn't going to happen without some excitement. I did not have the dream hypnobirthing, natural, unmedicated experience that I initially went into this with. But as with life we must learn to adjust and refocus on what we can control.

Lincoln was due on 8-18-18, once we hit 41 weeks, an induction date was set for he morning of the 28th. Readjustment #1.

The morning of the induction, I begin to go into Labor naturally. Readjustment #2.

We stuck with our induction plan and arrived to the hospital three hours after my labor begun. I was evaluated and recommended to continue to labor on my own naturally to see how things would progress. After 8 hours of labor, I had only progressed to 1 cm but "very thin". We agreed to push Pitocin and proceed with the induction. Readjustment #3.

After 2 hours with pitocin, I was rechecked and was in a holding pattern at 3cm. Realizing this was going to be a long night I caved and requested an epidural. Readjustment #4.

I continued the process. Even after the epidural there was still pain. The next 16 hours was a rollercoaster of emotions and exhaustion, all while pitocin was getting upped, and epidurals were getting supplemented or "topped off" ultimately getting stuck at 5 cm. Readjustment# 5.

We were going on 26 hours total. When I was checked again. I was regressing. Back to 4 cm and getting thicker. My son's head was low the whole time, but I just wasn't able to progress. After some discussion and several tears, we decided that a c section was imminent. The biggest readjustment of it all. Here we were doing the one thing I really didn't want, but I believe that I had no other option.

The medical team was great. They ended up re-doing my epidural (which made me completely numb, makes me wonder if the first one was even done right).

I share all of this, not in shame, but honestly really damn proud of myself. I tried my best, and I had to roll with the punches and adjust my plans, expectations, and most importantly my attitude. Given the complications I had, I was told that a future VBAC may not be best option for me.

At the end of the day, I have a wonderful miracle that I love unconditionally. Don't beat yourselves up ladies, we have enough to recover from.

Lincoln Noah Peters

Due: 8-18-18

Born: 8-29-19 via C-section

8lbs 9oz/ 21"