Three Hospital Inductions & Missed SVT Diagnosis

Bethany shares the births of her three children, all hospital inductions that unfolded very differently. From an epidural with her first baby to two unmedicated births, each experience shaped her trust in her body and the birth process.

She talks about Pitocin, prodromal labor, artificial rupture of membranes, an intrauterine pressure catheter, and the fetal ejection reflex. Bethany also shares the unexpected turn after her second birth when baby Millie was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and transferred to Texas Children’s for a nine-day CICU stay.

Her three stories show how different each induction can be, even for the same person. Listen to hear how each experience influenced the way Bethany prepared for and approached her next birth.

BIRTH STORY SUMMARY

First Birth: Induction, Epidural, and Alice’s Arrival

At 40 weeks with her first baby, Bethany chose an induction after her OB expressed concerns that her daughter would be very large. After a couple of weeks of prodromal labor, she arrived at the hospital already 3 cm dilated and progressed to 4 cm on her own before Pitocin was started.

After her water was broken at 5 cm, labor intensified rapidly with back-to-back contractions that became difficult to manage. Bethany received an epidural at 7 cm and, after a couple more hours of labor, pushed for just 25 minutes before welcoming her daughter, Alice.

Second Birth: Unmedicated Pitocin Induction

During her second pregnancy, Bethany hoped for a spontaneous, unmedicated birth, but pregnancy complications led to frequent monitoring. At 38 weeks, a concerning non-stress test resulted in admission for an induction when she was already 3 cm dilated.

Bethany used natural coping techniques through eight hours of Pitocin contractions with very little cervical change. She then agreed to have her water broken and an intrauterine pressure catheter placed, after which labor intensified and she quickly reached complete dilation.

Bethany experienced the fetal ejection reflex, and Millie arrived just as the on-call OB came running into the room. Although the birth included more interventions than she had hoped for, her unmedicated birth gave Bethany a deep appreciation for her body’s strength and greater confidence in the birth process.

Millie’s SVT Diagnosis and CICU Stay

Shortly after birth, Millie was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). She was transferred to Texas Children’s and spent nine days in the CICU before Bethany and her family were able to bring her home and begin life as a family of four.

Third Birth: A Peaceful 41-Week Induction

With her third pregnancy, Bethany experienced prodromal labor beginning at 36 weeks and remained 4 cm dilated for two weeks. At 41 weeks, she chose an elective induction and spent the first three hours laboring peacefully as her contractions gradually intensified.

As the fourth hour began, Bethany recognized the signs of rapid progression from her previous birth and asked her nurse to call the midwife back quickly. Her midwife arrived with a calm, reassuring presence, and at 9 cm Bethany consented to having her water broken.

The fetal ejection reflex began soon afterward, and Bethany worked with her body’s natural urges to push. Atticus Jude was born within minutes and placed immediately on her chest, making this Bethany’s fastest and most peaceful birth.

ABOUT BETHANY

Bethany is a 30-year-old stay-at-home mom living in the suburbs of Houston with her college sweetheart and their three children. She enjoys cooking, baking, homeschooling her oldest, and building a joyful, Christ-centered home while also running her part-time birth doula business, Peace Filled Doula. Connect with her in the Birth Hour Patreon group or @peacefilleddoula on Instagram.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Books

Apps & Tools

• Christian Hypnobirthing app — A faith-centered hypnobirthing resource Bethany used as part of her birth preparation.

Education & Birth Resources

• Evidence Based Birth — A resource offering evidence-based information about pregnancy, labor, birth interventions, and maternity care.
• The Birth Hour — Listening to birth stories was part of Bethany’s preparation for her own births.
• DONA doula training — Bethany found her birth doula training valuable as birth preparation and now works part-time as a doula herself.

Providers & Services

• Woman’s Choice Midwifery in Houston, Texas — The midwifery practice Bethany mentioned in connection with her birth care.

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FAQ

ABOUT THE BIRTH HOUR

The Birth Hour is a birth story podcast hosted by Bryn Huntpalmer. With over 1,000 episodes and 27 million downloads, it is one of the longest-running pregnancy and birth podcasts in the world. New episodes publish every week — unmedicated, epidural, home birth, hospital birth, C-section, VBAC, and everything in between.

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After more than a decade of sharing real birth stories on The Birth Hour, Bryn Huntpalmer brings those stories and lessons together in her new book, The Birth Hour: Real Birth Stories to Inform, Inspire, and Empower.

Featuring 41 real birth stories, the book explores a wide range of birth experiences and is designed to help readers feel more informed, prepared, and empowered as they approach birth. It includes a foreword by OB-GYN and All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast host Dr. Nicole Rankins.

The Birth Hour: Real Birth Stories to Inform, Inspire, and Empower is published by Penguin Random House and releases October 27, 2026. Click the link below to get $297 in pre-order bonuses!

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