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Giving Birth At 35 Weeks – Katie’s Story

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Giving birth at 35 weeks wasn’t Katie’s plan, but birth often unfolds in unexpected ways. Listen as she shares her birth story and what it was like having a baby in the NICU.

Giving Birth At 35 Weeks - Katie's Story

Katie and her husband decided that 2020 would be the year to start their pregnancy journey. In February, they headed to Australia for one last hurrah. Then, unfortunately, COVID hit and put a pause on their plans for a few months.

But, eventually, they decided life must go on, and it was time to focus on growing a family.

To Katie’s surprise, they got pregnant in their second month of trying!

Around eight weeks into her pregnancy, Katie had her first prenatal visit. She selected an OB-GYN that her friends recommended. Unfortunetly, she didn’t feel heard at this doctor’s office and started researching new providers.

When Katy had her first appointment with her new midwife, she got emotional. Katy was sixteen weeks pregnant and wanted to make sure the focus was on her baby and not the size of her body during a plus size pregnancy.

Thankfully, this new midwife was very reassuring!

Around this time, Katie and her husband hired a doula, not knowing if their doula would be able to attend the future birth or not due to COVID restrictions. But, regardless, Katie knew she wanted someone trained in birth to be a phone call away throughout her pregnancy.

As Katie’s pregnancy progressed, she remained active and focused on wellness. However, she did incur chronic hypertension and tested positive for gestational diabetes, which she controlled with nutrition.

Starting at 32 weeks of pregnancy, Katie was getting Nonstress Tests twice a week.

When she was 35 weeks pregnant, she woke up early in the morning thinking she had peed herself. Her midwife’s office suggested she come into the hospital.

She already had her hospital bag packed and the nursery set up as a planner, but she sure wasn’t ready to have her baby!

Katie envisioned having an unmedicated birth and laboring at home for as long as possible. Yet, she knew deep down going into labor so early would likely result in a significant change of plans, but she was trying not to think about it.

Katie learned her water had indeed broken at the hospital, and her baby was still in the breech position that she had been in for a long time. Unfortunetly, this meant she’d need to have a cesarean birth.

Before arriving at the hospital, their doula recommended they stop for breakfast. By eating Katie would not only fuel her body but also buy herself a little time once she arrived at the hospital. Doctors don’t want to perform surgery on someone with a full stomach due to the risk of aspiration.

Once Katie’s COVID test came back negative, her doula could join them at the hospital to support Katie for her 3:30 pm scheduled cesarean birth.

Around 1:30 pm, Katie used the restroom. When she returned to sit with her doula, the doula noticed Katie’s breathing had shifted.

Katie was in labor and 2 – 3 centimeters dilated, and her team didn’t want her to be in labor, so it was time for her cesarean birth.

Everything with her birth went well!

Her daughter, Isla, was born with some intermitting breathing issues but otherwise seemed healthy. And before Isla went to the NICU, Katie met her briefly.

Isla needed to be in an oxygenated tent for a few hours with her father by her side. And around midnight, Katie was able to go to the NICU to spend time with her new family.

Listen as Katie shares her birth story in her own words!

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 167

Transcript happily provided upon request. 

Resources Mentioned On The Show: