Impeccable, Exhausting Strength

Let’s see how brief this can be, shall we?

It’s Tuesday afternoon and I get a text about leaking.

We established that maybe she’s just peeing on herself because she every time she got up she was rushing to the bathroom. Probably holding it too long and leaking a bit.

Fast Forward.

It’s Tuesday evening and I get text about the leaking persisting despite not having to use the bathroom.

She goes in, they determine that her membranes have, in fact, ruptured and was measured at 3cm.

A few hours later she was measured at 5cm.

In my mind, the ball is rolling but strangely mama Is not feeling a single contraction. 🤔

And she’s on Pitocin.

Weird, right?

Mm hm. Weird as hell.

Some hours later the doc on call comes in to check progress.

She says “ I don’t know who called you 5. You’re a tight 2.”

A silently loud WTF fell over the room.

My client needs a moment to cry because that’s deflating.

To be told you’re halfway there and then hear you’re nowhere near is extremely messed up but it’s also why I remind clients that those assessments aren’t always accurate.

We take it in stride and keep doing our thing and confirm a partial rupture.

Pit is started a second time but she still doesn’t feel anything.

Misoprostol is administered and when I tell y’all this mama advocated for herself and I was so proud!

Can’t tell y’all the details but know that she did her thing!

The ball is officially rolling and she’s making great progress.

Contractions are smashing her back to back but she’s beasting them.

We get to a point where she’s ready to tap out because she’s exhausted.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t get pain meds or an epidural because baby’s heart rate is dipping uncomfortably but she found a way to power through.

Her doctor told her that she had to have the baby on her final push.

Homegirl said “BET!” and pushed that baby right on out in one huge push!

She didn’t even bother to stop! 😂

Through crazy high BP readings, contractions that had her questioning her endurance and capabilities and 3 minutes of pushing, she had a beautiful 4lbs 15oz baby girl.

This baby girl is a no limit soulja because she endured TWO rounds of (necessary) nearly maxed out Pitocin AND (necessary) Misoprostol and she came out with some lungs on her!

To My Homegirl: Your strength is admirable. Even in the midst of frustration and irritation you kept calm and maintained that you wanted to do all that you could to get Soulja Slim earth side. I am SO proud of you and I’m so grateful that you allowed me on this journey with you. If ever you feel like you want to quit or that you can’t do something or that you’ve reached your limits, remember the journey of your pregnancy, labor and birth and know that you can overcome and fight through anything. Never give up on yourself, my love! You are so much stronger than you realize!

Love Always & Forever,

Aeryka ✌🏾💜