I always wanted a second child. My daughter who was 8 at the time kept asking me for a brother or a sister. My fiancé also wanted another child; he had two from a previous relationship. I also had one from a previous relationship. As much as I wanted another child, I was also very scared to be pregnant. You see, I knew my pregnancy wouldn’t be an easy one. I knew I would be high-risk, the reason being, I have lupus. Finally, we decided to go for it. I was pretty well taken care of throughout the course of my pregnancy although as you can imagine, being high risk, they were so so so so so many doctors appointments.

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They told me because of my high-risk status that I will need to be induced at 38 weeks. I’ve been to an induction before with my first therefore, I knew what to expect. I was OK with the fact that I needed to be induced. My first labor and delivery, nine years ago, did NOT happen the way I thought labor and delivery should go (but that’s a WHOLE other story!)

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"In addition to me being high -risk, my anxiety was at an all-time high.''

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When it was 38 weeks, and I had to go to the hospital, The hospital staff treated me so well. The room that I labored in was huge and allowed as many visitors as possible to come in and out as they pleased. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous after reading so many stories about the maternal death rate. In addition to me being high risk, my anxiety was at an all-time high.

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The staff at the hospital, along with my fiancé made me feel safe and secure while I labored. I was allowed to labor as naturally as possible, even though I was induced. The medical staff didn’t overly check my cervix, they just let nature and the medication take its course.

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"Since I was allowed to labor naturally , when the time came to push, it was very quick.''

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My daughter, who had just turned nine at the time, was able to be in the room the whole time I labored as well as during the delivery. In addition, my fiancé and my mother were there as well. Since I was allowed to labor as naturally as possible, when the time came to push, it was very quick. I only had to push maybe three times (15 minutes) before my son was in my arms. This was NOT the case for my first birth!

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My advice for future moms is do your research! Read up on your ob/midwife. Read up on the hospital or hospitals they are affiliated with so that you can make an informed decision.