My name is Latoya and I?m the mother of two handsome baby boys. My husband Brandon and I had our first baby in February 2022, then we welcomed our second baby boy in June 2023.
My first birthing experience was in a hospital with a midwife; the second time around 16 months later, I birthed at the same hospital, except with an obstetrician.
Both experiences were beautiful because I had great support from my husband and sister, so I was able to cope through the pain and didn?t feel alone. They comforted me and advocated for me from the beginning of my labor until I left the hospital.
Initial Thoughts About Labor and Birth – Before Pregnancy
Before I was pregnant I thought labor would be painful but quick. I always felt that it would be a beautiful experience and worth the journey. When my labor began, I thought I could tolerate the contractions longer than I was actually able to handle.
Unfortunately, my experiences with the epidural didn?t meet my expectations. I believed I?d have a catheter in my back and would only feel a little pinch. However, I felt completely numb, and I had no control of my legs for three days. This also meant I had to follow up with an anesthesia provider after I left the hospital because I was unable to walk fully.
A year after having my first baby I?d still have a tingling sensation down my back occasionally. Despite that experience, I chose to have an epidural again when I gave birth for the second time and it was a much-improved experience.
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