With every birth, comes a new story that's passed down from generation to generation. And, it just so happens that the majority of the stories we're hearing today are coming from Millennial moms.
The new wave of mothers are quickly learning that most births don't go according to plan, and that the true intensity of contractions can never be described with words.
We sat down with three first-time Millennial moms who are shedding light on the realities of their birth experiences. Here's what they had to say...
Birth Method: Vaginal
Delivered: 40 weeks
Baby Weight: 7.2lbs
Birth Experience in 3 Words: Intense, Collaborative, Eye-opening
3H: Describe how your contractions felt, were they exactly how you imagined them?
KM: Before going into labor, I spent weeks researching and talking to other moms about what contractions felt like. I've never experienced period cramps, so I had no idea what to expect.
My contractions were super intense. I have a high pain tolerance, but the pain from my contractions was nothing like I expected. It consumed my body, and when a contraction hit, I could not even speak. I don't think anything or any advice could have prepared me for this feeling. I had to keep telling myself that with each contraction, I was getting closer to meeting my baby.
Birth Method: Vaginal
Delivered: 41 Weeks
Baby Weight: 8lbs
Birth Experience in 3 Words: Spiritual, Faith, Strengthening
3H: What do you remember the most about your experience?
IW: Connecting with God. So much happened during those 28 hours of labor. At one point I developed a fever and the hospital staff were talking in the back about (giving me a) C-section. I remembered in that moment praying to God and putting all my focus on just connecting with him. I was determined to have a vaginal delivery.
You start to doubt yourself when you hear the nurses talking in the background. But I had to get out of the mental space and put my trust in God. I also had a lot of support from my husband, he made sure everything was done correctly and advocated for me when I couldn't speak for myself. Because most hospitals want to do things their way.
We asked for delay clamping, supporting the perineum and we did not want certain shots that are the normal protocol at hospitals. It wasn't easy, my husband had to be consistently vocal. But, in the end, the hospital worked with us and we were able to have a positive birth experience.
Birth Method: C-section
Delivered: 40 weeks 2 days
Baby Weight: 7lbs 11oz
Birth Experience in 3 Words: Intense, Traumatizing, Dissociating
3H: If you could change anything about your birth experience, what would it be and why?
MP: If I could change one thing about my birth experience it would be the incorporation of a midwife and a doula. As a first-time mom, and new pediatrician, I thought I was equipped with enough knowledge to be my own advocate—I wasn't.
In addition, I felt safe with my husband by my side who is also a physician. But I was so wrong. The intensity of my birth required my undivided attention and the complete focus of my husband. I remember raising concerns to my doctors about my management and progression of labor, who didn't seem as concerned as me. I was not in a place to go back and forth about my concerns as the only fight I had in me was dedicated to getting through the wave-like contractions that coursed through me, for 54 hours.
In the end, all of my concerns came to a reality and I ended up with a C-section delivery when I'd planned for a vaginal birth. I also had postpartum hemorrhaging requiring two blood transfusions, a fluid-overloaded state causing water in my lungs, difficulty breathing, and postpartum preeclampsia with skyrocketing blood pressure. I spent six days in the hospital and left with (temporary) hypertension, a permanent battle scar hidden within my bikini line, and a lifetime of healing.
These Millennial moms started their journey to motherhood well before they gave birth. The countless hours of labor, advocating, and unwavering contractions are just the beginning of the lengths a mother will go through to make sure her baby is safe, sound and swaddled in her arms. Because, in that moment she knows she just gave birth to the next generation.
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