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Robyn conceived in April 2024 after 5 cycles of trying. Robyn was diagnosed with gestational diabetes around 26 weeks and started insulin shots at bedtime around 28 weeks.
Because of the GD diagnosis, the team of midwives recommended an induction, but Robyn wanted to go as long as possible for a natural birth. Together with the midwife team, they agreed on a 39+1 induction. At week 38 Robyn was 1 cm dilated but no effacement yet. Robyn had been walking about 10,000 steps since second trimester, so was certain that she could walk the baby out before induction. That week, she walked more than ever, tried curb walking, and on Friday afternoon even tried the midwives brew with guidance from her doula with some warm baths and Miles circuit. That week her mucus plug came out, so she thought she was close. And at this point she was also expressing colostrum, so she kept trying that.
Robyn thought she started to feel something – which in hindsight were just the beginnings of VERY early labor. But in the moment she thought it was real labor. She had period cramps well into the morning but on Saturday they petered out entirely. Taking the hard-to-swallow induction pill, the family waited until Sunday to head in. Sunday night, Robyn and Eric headed into the induction. She was still only 1cm dilated and only lightly effaced. The midwife offered to send Robyn home with a Foley bulb inserted, but Robyn and Eric were ready to stay there for the night.
They started Misoprostol inserted vaginally every three hours around 10pm and continued until about 8am, when the next shift midwife came in to talk about the plan. Contractions through the night we’re tough but not overwhelming. Robyn slept with a peanut ball between her legs for about half the night.
After the initial consult the following morning, Robyn and the midwife decided to insert the Foley bulb. That’s when things really ramped up. Within the first hour, Robyn threw up from contraction pain twice and got IV fluids with anti nausea medication. By hour 3 the nurse just encouraged “next time you use the bathroom, tug on the strings and see what happens.” So at just over 3 hours, the bulb came out. During those three hours, contractions were intense and on top of each other. After the bulb came out, the midwife asked if we really wanted to start the party – because if so, we would break Robyn’s water bags. That’s when things kicked off. For the next two hours (?) contractions were incredibly intense. Robyn tried a few different positions – all fours facing the head of the bed was the most effective for a while, then moved into the shower, and finally the birth ball (the order of these things may be a little off). Every position required a lot of swaying and moaning. Doula arrived sometime during this period. Towards the end of this part of labor only the birth ball and counter pressure we’re helping.
Robyn and the doula knew the plan was to get into the tub, so the room was ready. Robyn could tell things were really getting close because of the contractions not stopping, and the intensity being almost unmanageable. At one point she said “if we don’t go right now I’m not sure we’ll make it.” As she stumbled out of the labor room, she had to stop and puke, ejecting out of her mouth and a spattering of bloody show at the same time.
Once in the tub, Robyn focused on being in frog pose and as things ramped up, repeated a few key mantras with the doula: My body, my pain. I want this. We’re a team. We’re doing this together. There were sounds coming out of Robyn she didn’t know she could make – she is a trained singer and at some point during this it was something between a guttural roar and singing. She focused on keeping tones low. Every time the pitch raised she focused inward.
Robyn started to feel pushy, or like she needed to poop. Obviously, it was time. The nurse had her come out to check her. 100% effaced but only 9 cm dilated. She told Robyn to stop pushing, and breathe quickly “hee-hee-hoo” to help that last centimeter. On the delivery table, we had another check and confirmed it was okay to start pushing. And, no joke, 55 seconds later, August Elton was born. The nurse was so unprepared, she only had one glove on and no one else from the team was in the room yet. We had made it through delivery without pain medication, and baby came out happy and healthy. What more could we ask for?
Robyn El Kay Bio
Robyn and her family live in Gresham, Oregon. She works in strategic engagement and community development. Robyn and her partner Eric moved to Oregon from Chicago in 2023. Robyn has an MBA in social impact business from Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Scholars program and an undergrad Music Education and Voice Performance degree from Ithaca College.
Resources
- Expecting Better – Emily Oster
- Ina May’s guide to childbirth
- The Birth Hour Birth Stories
- Reddit – r/beyondthebump, r/gestationaldiabetes, r/newparents, r/breastfeeding, r/exclusivelypumping
- Tiktok – The Baby Whisperer (Nicki)
- Group chats with fellow moms especially with young kids/babies
- In the Portland metro area, Portland Doula Love and my doula was Lauren Guarrasi. She’s currently pregnant so she’s taking a break but when she gets back to birth work, she was incredible.
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