Embracing the Unexpected: Julie's Premature Birth Story

Welcome to the kickoff of my new blog series dedicated to the real, raw, beautiful birth stories that rarely get told. I firmly believe in the power of storytelling - it's a time-honored way of passing down wisdom, fostering community, and connecting on a deeper level. In a world that often feels fast-paced and fragmented, these narratives can ground us and remind us of our shared human experiences.

So, I'm overjoyed to share this space where we can honor, learn, and grow from these authentic birth stories. Each one is a unique testament to the miraculous journey of bringing new life into the world.

To start us off on this storytelling adventure, I'd love to introduce you to Julie Sheeran. Julie, a parent from Littleton, Colorado, is sharing her incredible journey of navigating pregnancy and birth with us today.

Julie's journey towards motherhood was marked by perseverance. After a year and a half of trying, she lost 90 pounds before finally conceiving during a well-deserved vacation. She had a generally smooth pregnancy, helped along by staying active with regular walks, swims, and personal training sessions. To ensure a well-prepared birth, Julie took three classes: a birth class, a breastfeeding class, and the Spinning Babies class. Despite her initial fears of high blood pressure and the possibility of a C-section, she found comfort in the knowledge she gained from her doctor and classes.

Julie recounts her birth experience—

“At 34 weeks and 6 days, I woke up to my water breaking. It was a slow trickle and not a big gush. We called the doctor and they said to head to the hospital. That was the longest ride ever. I remember being really scared because it was so early.

We got to the hospital and they confirmed that my water did break. They gave me a shot to help the baby's lungs develop. At this point they had me on monitors so my contractions had started on the monitor but I couldn't feel them.

They gave me an oral pill to soften my cervix and hopefully get my contractions stronger. After 4 hours I was dilated to 2. So we decided to start pitocin. Every half hour they increased my pitocin but my contractions were still manageable without pain meds. It was 6 pm at this point when a nurse from the NICU came in. She explained that if my baby was born before midnight, he would be sent to the NICU and after midnight he would be evaluated and the Dr would make a decision. So we had to wait until after midnight right?

At 7:30 I asked for the epidural. It took half an hour for the guy to come and put it in. So at 8:00 I was stuck in bed. I felt nauseous and really cold. My blood pressure has dropped so my nurse was busy trying to bring it back up. It took a little while to get it under control. That's when the Dr came in and checked me again. I was dilated to 4. It was 8:30. My midnight deadline was going to be fine.

Because my heart rate dropped they put me on a more frequent heart rate monitor. But my nurse noticed that the baby's monitor was struggling to keep the baby on it… So the Dr. Put a monitor on his head. While she was down there she said. "Oh, you are dilated to 6.” It was only 8:45.

I was nervous now.

The nurse turned out our lights and said try to get some rest. Yeah right.

I remember laying there thinking... My whole pregnancy I was worried about high blood pressure and my labor taking too long and going into emergency c section. And here I was with low blood pressure and praying delivery slowed down.

At 11 the Dr came back and said I was ready to start pushing. I said it was too soon… She said it was my first baby and I could end up pushing for hours. They set up the room and got me ready to start pushing at 11:20. I pushed until another Dr came in at 11:40. She asked if this was the preemie. Yes. She said this baby is about to fall in your lap.

That's when the room filled with people. And everything felt more serious. It was too early but they wanted me to keep pushing. All of a sudden I heard my blood pressure machine go off. That signaled another 15 minutes had passed. I looked at my husband and asked if it was midnight. He said yes. Everyone in the room cheered.

Then my son was born at 12:04 am. He was 35 weeks and perfect. He has lots more tests than a full term baby but he passed them all and stayed with his mom and dad.”

From her personal experience, Julie's takeaway focuses on the value of being informed. She says, "I am so thankful for the classes I took. They helped me understand everything that was happening in the room. Sometimes the doctors would be talking to each other and we would know what they were saying. And when we were discussing my options I felt very informed and my husband and I felt confident with our decisions."

Among her recommendations, she stresses the importance of the Spinning Babies class, stating, "Spinning babies is my 10/10 recommendation. The stretches helped me feel good before and during my labor."

Julie's journey, from her struggle to conceive to her surprising early labor, is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Her story underscores the significance of thorough preparation, not just in the physical sense of staying fit and active throughout her pregnancy, but also through the emotional readiness and knowledge she gained by attending birth classes. She turned her fears about high blood pressure and possible C-sections into catalysts for empowerment, equipping herself with the knowledge needed to navigate the unexpected twists and turns of her birthing journey.

This empowering birth story serves as a beautiful reminder of the unpredictability and wonder that is birth! The birth of her son at 35 weeks, shortly after midnight, is nothing short of a miracle. It goes to show that even in the face of unanticipated circumstances, a positive outcome is possible with the right preparation, the right support, and a powerful dose of determination.

As I share more stories in this series, I hope that Julie's tale of triumph reminds you of the incredible strength within each one of us. May it inspire you, comfort you, and fill you with hope as you prepare for your own unique birth journey!

I truly believe every birth story holds unique insights and powerful lessons. If you've experienced the incredible journey of birth and would like to share your story to educate, inspire, and connect with others, I would love to hear from you! You can submit your birth story here to be featured in my series. Let's celebrate and learn from these profound experiences together :).