• Name: Sophia Inza

• Baby Name: Grace Sophia Inza

• Weight: 7lb 15oz

• Legnth: 19in

• Birthday: May 9, 2018

• Gestation: 40 weeks + 1 day

• Time of Birth: 2:28am

• Location of Birth: Miami, Florida

On my 39 week appointment (May 1st), my doctor told me I hadn’t dropped and it looked like I was going to need to be induced, but he wouldn’t induce until week 41.  I really didn’t want to wait that long, so that afternoon, I walked around the mall.  From that day until my following appointment, I walked a different mall for a couple of hours daily.

When I got to my 40 week appointment, the doctor checked me for dilation and told me I was not dilated at all.  I was so disappointed! However, he wanted me to get an ultrasound because he suspected elevated fluids.  They got me an appointment for 3 hours later.

To pass the time, I did what I had done every day for the past week: walk.  I tried to get some lunch (Chick Fil A, yum!) but there was no eating.  After a bite of one nugget, I felt so nauseous, I packed it up and took it to go. 

When the technician performed my ultrasound, just as the doctor has suspected, my fluids were elevated.  The doctor at the ultrasound office told me I should head home, pack up my things, and head on over to the hospital because “this baby is coming today!”  I was shocked!  

I couldn’t believe it.  I hadn’t felt one contraction leading up to that and felt nothing different.  We went home, gathered our things and headed out.  As we were getting ready to leave, my contractions were starting at about 10 minutes apart.

When we were leaving the house, my contractions were about 4-5 minutes apart.  Once we arrived, they quickly got us set up and in a delivery suite.  They checked me again, and said I wasn’t dilated, was not effaced and my cervix hadn’t even begun to soften.  So, they gave me a medication to soften the cervix.  They said they’d start me on Pitocin in the morning.  Thankfully at this point, they allowed me to eat half a sandwich.

I began feeling stronger contractions, and asked for the epidural.  My nurse told me she couldn’t give me the epidural since I was so far away from giving birth and they usually like to see some dilation before giving it.  She checked me again and still, 0cm dilated.

About an hour later, my contractions began getting stronger.  They were coming closer together and lasting longer.  The nurse gave me some sleeping meds so I could try to rest.  After about an hour of interrupted sleep, I couldn’t sleep any longer.  The pain was unbearable.  The nurse told me we should head to the bathroom because sometimes using the restroom relieves some of the pain. 

With her help I slowly, in the middle of very long contractions, made my way to the bathroom.  As soon as I sat on the toilet, I told the nurse I had the urge to push.  She told me that without dilating, it’s impossible.  I told her I REALLY HAD TO.  She told me to go right ahead because nothing would happen.  I pushed once and I felt a gush come right out.  I told the nurse that I was pretty certain my water broke.

She told me to get up and head back to the bed so I can rock at the foot of the bed to help ease the pain.  I told her I could not rock, I could barely walk! I told her we had to rush to the bed because I had to push NOW!

I got back on the bed and she checked me for dilation.  Her exact words following that were “Oh my god, you are 9 centimeters, call your mom! I’m calling the doctor!” Sure enough, my water had broken at 1:49am.  I turned to the nurse and asked, “can I get the epidural now?” and her response was “oh no honey, it’s too late.  You’re doing this all natural!”

WHAT?!

I kept repeating that I had to push nowww! She told me to keep breathing through the contractions and to just hold on a little longer because the doctor was on his way.

In less than 10 minutes, the doctor, my parents and sisters had all arrived.  I was in such pain, I didn’t want anyone touching me or talking to me.  Every time my husband or my mom would touch my arm to comfort me, I kept hissing at them, “don’t touch me!!”  So unlike me!

I kept saying I had to push so while the doctor was still getting ready, he told me to start pushing.  I could feel her coming! 

I don’t remember exactly how many pushes it took, but it was definitely less than 5.  Grace was born at 2:28am. Yep, just 30 minutes after my water broke and 10 hours after my first contraction.  I was able to deliver her (and got stitches, ouch!) without an epidural.  I never thought that would be possible!

The joy about her finally being here was overwhelming and I forgot about everything once she was out.  I couldn’t focus on the pain, I was so focused on her, how they cleaned her, measured and weighed her and when they brought her to me. It was an amazing experience (and who knows, maybe I’ll do an epidural free birth again sometime!).

Thankfully, my recovery was just as smooth as my delivery. Within just a couple of hours, I was already back on my feet, walking, showering on my own and visiting with family and friends.  I am so grateful for such an amazing first experience! This delivery was absolutely amazing, and 100 times better than I ever thought it would be. 

 What did your birth experience teach you about yourself? 

My first birth experience was completely different than I imagined it would be, for the better! I learned that I am much stronger than I thought I was.  I thought I would break down emotionally and not be able to deliver her, but I did! Giving birth was such an amazing experience!