In this honest and raw episode, Krista shares her challenging journey through pregnancy and birth, navigating a large fibroid, a rare incarcerated uterus, and an emergency C-section after a prolonged labor. She opens up about the lack of answers and support she received from providers, the toll of severe postpartum complications, and the importance of advocating for yourself when things don't feel right. Krista also discusses the difficult emotions that come with a birth experience that deviates far from your plans and the power of sharing your story to help others feel less alone. Through it all, she offers valuable advice on seeking specific support and finding healing after a traumatic birth.
Join us for a candid conversation about facing unexpected complications with courage and grace, trusting your instincts, and finding strength in community. Krista's story is a poignant reminder that birth is unpredictable, and that self-advocacy and leaning on others is crucial during trying times.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Have you ever felt blindsided by a complication in
pregnancy that left you feelinglost and unprepared?
In this episode of the GoldenHour Birth Podcast, we sit down
with Krista, who vulnerablyshares her journey navigating a
large fibroid, an incarcerateduterus and an emergency
C-section after a long labor.
(00:20):
Krista's story brings up theimportant question how do you
navigate for yourself and findsupport when faced with
unexpected challenges inpregnancy and birth?
Join us as we explore the powerof trusting your instincts,
seeking specific help andfinding healing through sharing
your story.
Krista's experience highlightsthe importance of speaking up
(00:41):
when something doesn't feelright and leaning on others
during trying times.
Tune in to gain valuableinsights on facing the unknown
with strength and grace.
The Golden Hour Birth Podcast apodcast about real birth
stories and creating connectionsthrough our shared experiences.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Childbirth isn't just about the child.
It's about the person who gavebirth, their lives, their wisdom
and their empowerment.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
We're Liz and Natalie , the Golden Hour Birth Podcast,
and we're here to laugh withyou, cry with you and hold space
for you.
Welcome to the Golden HourBirth Podcast.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
I am your co-host Liz and I'm your co-host Natalie,
and tonight we have Krista fromSt Louis on.
We were connected through ourhusband's cousin, so thanks so
much for coming on tonight,krista.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, so if you want to goahead and tell listeners a
little bit about you and yourfamily, yeah, so the reason why
(01:49):
we're all here, I am Nolan's mom.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
He was born May 5th 2022.
So he's a Cinco de Mayo baby,is 20 months old, or you know,
almost two years old, a year anda half.
It's so crazy, like how we saymonths in the age, but like I
get it now after being a mom.
So, other than that I'm a wife,I'm a friend, sister, daughter.
I'm also a teacher.
I've been teaching for about 10years.
Outside of being a teacher mom,I love exercising.
I play pickleball.
(02:11):
We recently got a Peloton, soI've been really into that.
I love meal prepping.
Spending time with family andfriends is really important to
me.
And I love technology, shopping, a little bit of Netflix.
Also, becoming a mom, I've beenreally big into self care, so I
love getting my nails done,like going to get a massage
(02:32):
because, like, as I like to say,like mama deserves it.
Yeah, I was born and raised inSt Louis, so also, like, love
anything St Louis, like chemo,just ravioli, like, give me all
of the things.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Gooey butter cake yes , all of it.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Oh my gosh, I could talk about emos all day.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
I mean, I love Provel cheese yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yeah, I just moved while my work moved to the hill
and, like I just started, theyjust opened like a month or two
ago and I'm just like in heavenwith all of the Italian
restaurants love it.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Um so, if you want to go ahead and go into, like you
guys, deciding to start a familyor finding out you were
pregnant, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
So my husband and I met in college back up a little
bit.
We dated actually seven yearsbefore we got engaged.
It was kind of like I was youngand we knew we wanted to get
married eventually and likestart a family, but like we
wanted to live life a little biton our own first.
So we're actually both livingin Soulard.
So, yeah, you know aboutSoulard so much fun, lots of
(03:46):
things to do there both with ourfriends and kind of like enjoy
that life before.
But now at this point myhusband and I, patrick, have
been married for almost sevenyears.
As far as starting a family too,we wanted to like save up money
to buy a house.
Like we were living in thisvery small apartment in Kirkwood
for about a year and I told himwe will buy a house in one year
(04:08):
, like I want to get out of thislittle apartment after Soulard.
And so we bought a house in ayear.
After that too, it was likeokay, let's save up money so
that we can have some kids andlike want to like kind of live
the life like the way that wewant to live.
Bought a house in 2018.
And then COVID kind of hit in2020.
(04:29):
And it feel like it justchanged everything.
There was just so muchuncertainty there so it was like
okay, like what do we do?
Do we wait?
We also really wanted to travel, so we took actually all in one
year the year I got pregnant.
We went to Mexico, gulf Shores,la, and then our last trip was
like a small little trip to theLake of the Ozarks with some
(04:51):
good friends for my birthday,and that was when we were kind
of starting to try to getpregnant.
So it took us about two monthsto get pregnant.
So it happened very quickly forus.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, sounds like you had a good year, though Like
perfect, kind of like lasthurrah.
Not that you have to stoptraveling when you're with kids,
but it's just, you know, anuncomplicated journey there.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Oh, so that was super fun too, just to do all of the
things and then like, okay,we're ready.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, yeah, perfect.
So what was pregnancy like?
Speaker 3 (05:24):
we're ready.
Yeah, yeah, perfect.
So what was pregnancy like?
So pregnancy, it kind ofstarted out pretty normal.
I mean, it's my first one, so Ididn't really know what to
expect.
So it was like when I was atthe Lake of the Ozarks I
actually started to get likereally shortness of breath and I
was like okay, like this isreally weird.
Like I usually exercise a lot,like this is something different
(05:45):
.
I was nauseous on the car ride.
I'm like that's definitelysomething that's not like me.
So it was like all the symptomsof like my period, but like it
never came, so kind of liketaking that pregnancy test and
like it was like okay, we wantto like wait to tell people, you
know, not right away, likeafraid you know something might
(06:06):
happen and, like I said, awfulmorning sickness.
It was like all day sickness,like I never threw up, but it
was just awful.
I remember I look back at likemy notes and I'm like this is
the worst, like why did I getpregnant Um a Zofran?
and like it really didn't workeither.
Um, um, we went to the doctorin nine weeks and she's like,
(06:28):
okay, everything is good, except.
She's like, okay, you have this12 centimeter fibroid that is
on top of your uterus.
And it was like I didn't evenknow what a fibroid was.
Um, I remember I like didn'teven Google like what's a
fibroid.
I went on Facebook and IGoogled fibroid pregnancy and I
(06:48):
actually found this group, um,it's called fibroid sisters
pregnancy, and I kind of found alot of comfort like finding
that group.
Like later on in pregnancy, um,I went on there, it was like,
okay, women had like fivefibroids or like one very tiny
fibroid.
And I'm like, okay, like I'mhearing all of this, like I feel
you know a little bit moreconfident about um, kind of
(07:10):
what's going on.
Um, and so it's basically likea large growth that was on top
of my uterus and I remember myOBGYN was like did you?
know, that you had, like youdon't know.
I'm like, how would I know?
Like feel like you're theperson that's supposed to kind
of yeah, so other than that itwas like okay, like what do we
(07:33):
tell people?
Like we're ready to tell peopleI'm not going to say, hey, mom,
I'm pregnant.
I also have this giganticfibroid.
So we kind of just didn't talkabout the fibroid because the
OBGYN she was like we don'treally have to worry about it,
like everything is fine, we'rejust going to kind of monitor it
.
So like in the back of my mindI just kind of kept that in
(07:54):
there.
So I remember at 12 weeks I hada really bad stomach pain and I
remember calling my girlfriendand she's like, okay, don't go
to the ER, like don't freak out,you can go to the maternity
center, and like they will takecare of you.
Um, so I went there and theybasically told me, um, like that
it was a stomach bug.
And so I go walking out of thematernity center, like I'm
(08:16):
hunched over, I cannot walk atall, and like remember thinking
like something's wrong, likethis is not how a stomach book
should be.
So the next day I'm kind oflaying in bed.
My mom comes over.
She's trying to help me dothings around the house and
she's kind of like you know,like maybe we should go back and
like my mother-in-law is alsotexting me like you should
(08:37):
probably go back.
So we ended up going back againbecause it was like I knew like
something's wrong and and theydid an ultrasound my mom was
there with me, um, and theyexplained at that point that I
had an incarcerated uterus, um,so basically meaning like my
uterus was out of place and inmy mind they never really said
(08:57):
it, but I think that the fibroidon top of my uterus was what
pushed it um kind of out ofplace.
Um.
So I remember he was like, oh,if any issues come up, like
we'll schedule a littleprocedure, like but you're fine
for now.
And my mom kind of motioned,like the room was very dark, I
had a wheelchair, that I'd comeup to the um maternity center
(09:20):
and and she's like she's in awheelchair, like, and he's like,
oh well, that like changeseverything that you're in pain,
um, and everything kind of movedlike really fast.
After that, um, my OBGYN wasthere and with a resident, and
she's like this is really rare,like what has happened, um, and
it was like something like onein 3000 pregnancies this
(09:41):
actually happens, um, and she'slike I've done a few of these in
my career, so it was like veryfast, like she needed to do it
right then.
Like she didn't even have timefor like Patrick to come, like I
was texting him kind of let himknow what was going on, but my
mom was in the room andbasically they work together
kind of with their hands andtools to push the uterus back
(10:03):
into place.
So like I was on all fours atthis point and like my poor mom
is like in there having toexperience this, and I was in
like so much pain.
And when I got done they werelike well, labor is going to be
nothing for you if you deal withthis.
Yeah, Okay, like am I supposedto feel better?
(10:25):
And they also said that usuallythey put people under
anesthesia for that.
Um, but they said it was betterthat I didn't, because they
kind of knew, by the sounds thatI was making, that like it had
worked.
So basically, when like Iscreamed the loudest like it was
done, and that was like crazyto me.
(10:47):
Like it is 20, you know 22 atthis point Like what, why, why?
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Um, I hope this isn't like too TMI, but like did they
like put their hands up?
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yes, that's what I was trying to explain their
hands up there, tools up thereto push it into place.
Oh my God, I am so.
I was trying to explain theirhands up there, tools up there
to push it into place.
Oh, my God, I am so sorry youwent through that and yeah, I
remember after two that someonewas like that also could have
caused a miscarriage and I'mlike I didn't even think about,
I like had no time to askquestions or like anything like
(11:21):
that.
It just happened so quick, likeanything like that.
It just happened so quick.
Um too, um, so kind of afterthe procedure I wish they would
have just said like, hey, you'regoing to be in a ton of pain
for like a few days.
Um, because I kept going backto the maternity center because
I was in so much pain and I waslike, did it happen again?
Like can the uterus go back outof place?
(11:43):
But it was just kind of part ofthe procedure and they gave me
some pain medication to to kindof just get through it.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Was it like an outpatient, like they didn't
admit you or I?
Went right home Like what.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Yeah, yes, I remember like my best friend brought me
food and it was like I could notdo anything that weekend.
Um, I had to miss work a fewdays but it was like okay after
that, like let's keep on rolling.
Um, so after that it was prettynormal.
I always in the back of my mindlike thinking about that
(12:21):
happening and I was just soscared that something else was
going to go wrong, like yeahit's just, yeah, that was tough,
kind of dealing with that, but,yeah, kind of skipping ahead a
little bit to like 36 weeks.
So, yeah, everything was prettynormal Other than that.
I remember I think I made onemore trip back to the maternity
(12:42):
center, um, but um, that was it.
So at 36 weeks it was like thebaby.
They said that the baby wasreally big, but I also had that
big fibroid in there too.
So I was measuring ahead, likemy stomach was just huge,
uncomfortable, um, they actuallyhad me redo my glucose test and
I don't know if that's like anormal thing that happens, but I
(13:05):
passed that again and our one,yeah, just the one hour one.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yeah, yeah, you didn't have to, like, do the
three hour because, like I knowthat, that's another one that
you might have to do.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
So I did the one hour one, like previously, and
they're like let's just redo itagain.
Yeah, A 36 weeks.
So that was kind of strange tome, but everything was always
good with the baby and they didsay I had low amniotic fluid at
that 36 weeks.
So that's when I had to do theweekly non stress test and kind
of those extra ultrasounds towhich I was kind of already
(13:38):
doing with the fibroid to justto kind of keep an eye out with
that.
So we were like ever since, Iguess, 36 weeks it was like we
were so prepared, we had ourbags, we were like ready to roll
, like anything can happen, Likethis crazy fibroid pregnancy,
like let's do it.
So I remember our 37 weekappointment, like everything was
good, and then at 38 weeks wedidn't have our bags, Like we
(14:05):
drove separate cars like fromwork, so like we weren't
prepared at all, Like I don'tknow why.
Um, so we had to do thenon-stress test and basically
when that was going on thebaby's heart rate dropped when I
had a contraction and I didn'tknow at the time.
Then we went into kind of theultrasound room and they're like
when that happens, like youdon't get to leave the hospital.
(14:26):
And it was like whoa, like okay,did not expect that, and I just
start like crying.
I'm like calling my parents.
I'm like we don't have our bagsand like the baby is coming
right now, like we got to gopeople, like it's go time and
like little did I know, like somuch was still like in store for
my journey.
After that, so kind of afterthat, they took us up to our
(14:50):
room Like my parents come, theyget us our bags, like we're kind
of cozy, and at this point thiswas Tuesday, may 3rd, getting
admitted and then like skippingahead just a little bit, so he
was Cinco de Mayo baby, so bornon May 5th, on Thursday, um.
So I remember like relaxing andthey were starting the Pitocin
(15:13):
around like 8 pm.
I think was when everythingstarted to kind of get rolling,
um, but at that point I wasdilated like two centimeters, so
like not very far along, um.
And I remember the first nightthey had to move us rooms
because of staffing issues andthat was kind of a whole big
thing too, like we did not getany sleep.
(15:33):
I ended up they did the Foleybulb around 2am and we did not
take any birthing classes oranything like that.
She was kind of like we'll talkyou through everything, like
you don't need any of that.
So I had no idea what some ofthese things were and like I
trust that the nurses, you know,know what's best and are going
(15:54):
to do what's best.
So they said I could get likethe epidural before the Foley
bulb.
And in my mind, like I knew Iwanted an epidural, I was like
to them, I said is there anyreason why I should wait?
And they're like no, go aheadand get it if you want it.
And in my mind I'm like thereis no gold star for how long you
(16:17):
are without an epidural.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
That's what my pediatrician said to me you
don't get a gold star, yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
That's yeah.
Like yes, there's metal.
Like so, just get it if, like,you want it, and if you don't,
that's okay too.
But I knew that I wanted that.
So, yeah, everything kind ofTuesday just moving very slowly,
and like the same for Wednesday.
It was like, okay, it's May 4th, like I'm ready, I'm having a
May the 4th.
Be with you.
Star Wars yes, it is what it is.
(16:47):
Um, so I remember I was dilatedto four at 430am on Wednesday
and then they came back andthey're like no, you're actually
a two.
Like you haven't made anyprogress.
It's all about perspective.
And I was like what?
Like I was so excited, thinkingI was making this progress.
I remember like they got thepeanut out I'm trying all these
(17:10):
different positions, like we'reFaceTiming people just to kind
of pass the time, like lettingpeople know what's going on and
they're like is there the baby?
Yet, like what's happening?
I was like nothing, likenothing is happening.
Um, so they ended up like uppingthe Pitocin and they just kept
checking me and checking meStill no progress.
And they had to stop thePitocin and then start it over
(17:34):
from the beginning.
I'm like okay, like let's dothis, it's all right.
And they were still kind ofchecking me and yeah, basically
like it was still the same.
So then I have, at 1230 AM theytried a suppository kind of a
different medication so thiswould be on Thursday and they're
(17:55):
like this is going to workbetter.
So it was 430am.
I was still at a three andthat's when they decided to
break my water and I had no ideawhat that was like gonna be
like either.
It just kept coming and thatwas something totally crazy too.
I'm like, oh, my goodness.
And finally I was at fourcentimeters dilated and I was
(18:20):
just starting to feel like a lotof pressure and like some time
went on.
I was at a five and I tooknotes like the nurse is amazing
right now so like everything wasmoving along and she got
checking on me and it was 1130AM and I was dilated to a nine.
And then it's like, okay, like anine, like still at a nine,
(18:42):
still at a nine.
I'm like calling my mom and dad.
I'm like come to the hospital,like what are you doing?
It's raining.
My mom was at the post office.
I'm like, come to the hospital.
Like what are you doing?
It's raining.
My mom was at the post office.
I'm like get here Like the babyis coming.
I knew that I wanted my mom inthe room for that too.
That was really something thatwas important to me.
Patrick was in there as well,but I just really wanted her to
be in the room, so she kind ofrushes over there and like we
(19:05):
still were not close.
So I don't really remember whenor like if ever they're like
you're out of 10.
But I just remember I'm likeI'm feeling a lot of pressure
and they're like it's time topush.
So I couldn't really figure outwhat time that was around my
husband thinks around 5pm.
So I basically pushed for anhour and it was like nothing was
(19:28):
happening there either.
So they actually had me stopfor an hour.
They're like we want like thehead to drop.
So like stopping for that hourwas like the most pain I had
like ever been in.
It was just like I kept tellingmyself I was like you cannot
(19:48):
like remember pain.
I'm like you'll never be ableto like feel this pain again.
Like just get through it, havethis baby, like it'll be okay,
um.
So I don't know how, but thatkind of got me through that hour
of stopping.
And, um, they were like well,your hips are small and the
baby's head is really big, solike it wasn't like I was
getting a lot of answers as tokind of what was happening, um,
(20:12):
and basically they were likeyou're pushing like a rock star,
um, but if you want to stop,like that's okay, we can do the
C-section, or you can keeppushing.
And I was like I want to keeppushing, like I want to know.
Like that I gave it my allbefore let's have a C-section.
So I pushed for another hourafter that and just I mean
(20:34):
nothing was happening.
So kind of.
After that the baby's heartrate was really high and I ended
up spiking a fever.
And I remember they're likehave you been exposed to COVID?
Like trying to kind of figureout.
I'm like no, I like I've beenhere, I haven't been exposed to
COVID.
And kind of after that it got alittle bit scary.
(20:56):
It was like what is going on?
So the doctor kind of came inand they're like we're going to
have to do an emergencyC-section.
And I remember just like cryingat that point and like not
because I didn't want to seesection or I was scared or
anything like that.
It was like I spent so much timeand energy on one way and like
(21:18):
now it's like just going to be aC-section, like it was so like
kind of just like frustrating.
Like you know, should we havedone that from the beginning?
Like what, what, what, likewhat's happening, um, and I mean
I was scared too, just what'sgonna happen, and it was like so
many people in the room, um,like my parents were in the room
for a little bit.
(21:39):
Patrick is in there.
Um, only he was allowed um forthe c-section, so he was getting
his scrubs on, he was gettinghis mask on and I was so sleepy
like I could not keep my eyesopen.
Um, I guess because of all themedicine, and like I was
exhausted yeah, it was like 48hours but like at the time I'm
(22:00):
like why am I getting sleepy?
like I need to be awake for this?
Like be awake, like why I'malways tired, like why, but like
, but like looking back, I'mlike that's like a marathon,
like my, yeah, it was likeshutting down almost at that
time, um, so like in theC-section room.
Yeah, I just remember um likenot really all being there but
(22:22):
like trying so hard to keep myeyes um open and it was like all
of a sudden they were like myeyes open and it was like all of
a sudden they were like it's aboy and we we did not find out.
So I was like what?
Because everyone was telling melike you're having a girl,
you're having.
It was like we did all thoseold wives tales and it was going
to be a girl, but no, it was aboy.
So I was just so excited andPatrick kind of got that time to
(22:47):
let cut the umbilical cord andhold him and the whole time, you
know I'm being like fixed backup, feeling this pressure, and
I'm like, you know, I'm kind offeeling some things.
So they're like pumping me withmore um medication and I'm like
why do I have like this IV in myarm and, um, they told me
they're like you lost a lot ofblood, like we had it just in
(23:07):
case we had to use it for like ablood transfusion, but like it
wasn't needed and I was likeshaking and they're just like
pumping more meds in me and Ialso remember being like how big
is the baby?
And they were like seven pounds, 12 ounces and I'm like that's
interesting, because whole timeit was like big baby, big baby,
(23:31):
like to me that's a very likemiddle, medium-sized baby.
I was expecting like ninepounds, yeah, after they pumped
me up and made me redo theglucose test, but this was.
He was born at 9 39 pm.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
So on may 5th oh, did they um when they had you open?
Did they like look at thefibroid or anything?
Speaker 3 (23:59):
yes.
So that doctor got to see myfibroid but she could not take
it out at that time, um, becauseI would lose too much blood.
So probably all like whoa, lookat, check it out, yeah, yeah.
So after that we went into thepost-op room for two hours, so,
(24:21):
like Patrick's in there with me,my parents are in there, and
actually Patrick's parents endedup and actually, um, patrick's
parents ended up, um, they gotexposed to COVID.
So that was kind of crazy, um,because it was like okay, do we
let them come?
Do they like wear a mask?
Like what should we do?
And the doctor was very muchlike you know, if they've been
exposed to COVID, like theyshouldn't be around a little
(24:42):
baby and like that was so hardtoo.
Like, looking back, I'm like,was that the right decision?
I don't know.
Like you know, we'll never know.
They ended up not getting iteither.
But kind of in the post-op roomI was just like where's my
Jimmy John's?
I went to I love that Because Iwas.
(25:04):
I gave up, like you know, punchme and all of it Like like this
is my glass of champagne.
Like this is not how it shouldbe.
Like I was.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
They were closed.
You said what's that?
They were closed.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
I mean, I think so at almost 10 o'clock at night.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Oh yeah, man I always like think back to my college
days, when they would be openuntil like 1 or 3 a.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
I don't think so.
And number two, I was I'mreally passionate about
breastfeeding.
I'm actually stillbreastfeeding.
I absolutely love it.
So I was like, is he latched?
Is he like saying all thiscrazy stuff?
But like he was just there likeso perfectly, like latching,
(25:49):
and I was like, well, like onething is going good for me right
now.
You know, like I felt like this, just like he was such a good
baby to like, right as he cameout, that like that was awesome,
like I needed that.
So we finally kind of moved intoour room for the night and like
I don't feel like I held Nolana lot because I was just so out
(26:13):
of it.
So it was like the only thing Icould do to like bond with him
was like breastfeed.
And even with that, like thenurses are like turning on the
lights like you need to stayawake right now, krista, like
what are you doing?
And they're helping me likehold him too, because I'm like
falling asleep.
But other than that, it waslike Patrick changed all the
(26:33):
diapers, like had to hold himand like visit, with everyone
kind of coming in, and it waslike I didn't really get to do
all those things.
I'll kind of get to that in aminute, like why?
Also, kind of what happenedafter that?
But so Friday I feel like thatwas a pretty normal day.
I could order breakfast andlunch, like we're in there, just
(26:55):
like having a good time, likemy family came to visit after
they all got off work.
But I remember I felt like verysick and nauseous and I'm like
I need to lay down and like mymom's like, oh my gosh, like we
like overdid it, we shouldn'thave came to visit.
And I remember my sister-in-law.
Later she's like I could telllike something was like not
(27:18):
right she's a doctor, so butshe's like I didn't feel
something was like not right.
Um, she's a doctor, so butshe's like I didn't feel like it
was like my place to like sayanything then.
Um, so that evening was when,like I just started like
throwing up and it was just likecrazy, like it wasn't thrown up
, like I've never seen that kindof throw up kind of before and
my stomach was huge.
(27:39):
I guess I don't know how itshould look, but like the
picture that day, it just islike crazy how big my stomach
was.
So for Saturday we were like novisitors, since I was throwing
up and having this awful time.
But I'm like mom, I need you tocome up because, like Patrick
cannot do all of this.
Like I'm like Mom, I need youto come up because, like Patrick
(28:00):
cannot do all of this.
Like I'm over here throwing uplike no one's crying, the nurses
are running in like we needsome help.
So that was when, like thenurses kind of figured out that
I had an ileus, so basically mylike intestines just stopped
working after surgery and likethat's a normal thing that could
(28:20):
happen after surgery, I guess.
But like I don't know, I neverreally heard of someone that had
that after a C-section.
So they had to put an NG tubein me for that.
So it went up my nose and downmy throat like it wasn't like
this little oxygen tube.
I remember I text my bestfriend.
I'm like, like it wasn't likethis little oxygen tube.
(28:41):
I remember I text my bestfriend I'm like I got this tube.
She was picturing like a cutelittle tube.
No, it was just like up my noseon my so painful.
After they put that in, they'relike, oh, sometimes we get
punched when we're doing yeah, Ifelt like punching you, yeah.
And I remember like they weregetting ready to leave after
(29:04):
they put the tube in and I waslike, okay, like I can do this,
like maybe a few hours it'sgoing to be in, like we'll get
it, we'll get through this, andI'm like, no, just just like,
how long about?
You know, do you think I'llhave to have this in?
And they're like a few days.
So I had the tube, wasbasically pumping everything
kind of out of my stomach, um so, and it was like with every
(29:29):
like swallow, like you felt thetube in there.
It was awful, and my mom out ofthe room for that.
She came back in the room andshe's like you were just like
seating, like you were so mad atthat point and like I just did
not say a word and I'm usuallypretty dramatic and animated,
(29:50):
but like I did not complainbecause it was just that like
miserable kind of what I wasgoing through.
Um so I remember having likewonderful nurses in there and
they were all like one was likeprepping the other nurses.
They're like okay, like this iswhat she likes, this is what
(30:11):
she doesn't.
Like They'd been with me for solong.
She's like now, when she goesto the bathroom, like don't
stand in there with her, likeshe wants you to close the door,
like get out there and give hersome privacy.
So it was just like funnythings like that.
That like got me through it,like all my funny quirks.
But it was like I was in somuch pain, um, so Sunday we're
(30:31):
still in the hospital.
Um, it was actually mother'sday, like work mother's day ever
to be in the hospital with thetwo.
Um, like my in-laws came tovisit, I was just like out of it
.
Um, and, like you know,everyone else got to hold the
baby and just like enjoy thattime and I was just kind of just
all I could do was breastfeed.
(30:53):
Still at that point, um, and Iremember they were like you can
do, like this is hard, like youcan do formula if you want, and
I had nothing against that, butI was like this is all that I
can do for my baby, like rightnow, like just let me do this
one thing I can't do, um.
So, like I said, yeah, that waslike kind of my bond Um.
(31:16):
So then on Monday, um we werestill in the hospital, um.
So then on Monday, um we werestill in the hospital, they
actually ended up kind ofclamping the NG tube is what
they do before they totally takeit out, um, just to kind of see
how you react to that Um.
So I remember I could have likesoda and broth and juice and
like I like had nothing, no foodin my stomach.
(31:38):
Um, they gave me like an IV andfinally by the end of the day,
um, I got the tube kind of takenout and I could have a dinner,
um like a soft dinner, and thena breakfast as well, and they
kind of like took out thestaples for the C-section and I
remember that wasn't very bad,like kind of taking those
staples out.
(32:00):
So Tuesday was May 10.
And that was the day we finallywere told that like we could go
home.
But I had this small problemwhere I could not pee Because
this whole time they had acatheter in me and they would
like keep taking it in and out,like I think five or six times I
had that kind of in and out ofin and out.
Like I think five or six timesI had that kind of in and out.
(32:21):
So they were like you're gonnahave to go home with a catheter
and I'm like what?
But I'm also like, okay, we'regoing home, like it's fine, we
can do this.
But it ended up they called mydoctor and she's like take it
out, make her pee, then she cango home.
And I like drink tons of waterthroughout the day.
So I'm like, yes, like if youjust let me drink actual water,
(32:44):
I will be able to pee.
So sure enough.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
I drank water, I peed and I was able to go home.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
It to Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Yeah, wow, um, so how was healing from there?
Speaker 3 (33:09):
So healing from there .
Um, I think like the C-sectionit was pretty rough Um, like I
remember like asking my mom Iwas like will I ever feel like
myself?
Like, like when will this getbetter?
Um, and she actually had threeC-sections Um, so she kind of
knew what I was going through Um, but like not really a lot of
(33:31):
my friends had had C-sections,so I was kind of like on my own
with that Um, but it was rough,but I would say pretty normal
with recovery just moving slow,um, things like that.
Nolan was such a great sleeper,so like that made it really
good that he was like just soawesome.
Lots of friends and familyreally supported us like bring
(33:52):
us food, helped us out andthings like that.
After.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
That's good.
It seems like you have arockin' support system from like
.
You're very close with yourparents and your in-laws and
things like that.
After, that's good.
It seems like you have a rockand support system from like.
You're very close with yourparents and your in-laws and
things like that.
So that's really really greatfor you, especially while going
through you know the wholepregnancy and everything Wow.
Speaker 3 (34:14):
Yeah, it's like.
In the back of my mind, though,it was like, okay, I still have
this fibroid, like what's that?
Um?
So I had to go in for anotherultrasound for the fibroid and,
um, I guess it grew they told melike to 15 centimeters while I
was pregnant, um, but then itlike shrunk back down and it was
(34:37):
at like 12.5 centimeters, likeafter I gave birth, um, and I
found out like it weighed twopounds.
Wow.
Speaker 1 (34:44):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (34:45):
So I had to have a laparoscopic myomectomy was what
it was called Um, and I hadthat done in September.
So I was four months postpartumto have that.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
How was that?
Um, like, I've heard of it, butI don't really know exactly
what it is.
Can you kind of explain?
Speaker 3 (35:07):
So basically for that , um, like they went in through
my belly button um to take itout they had to cut it up cause
it was so big and put it in alittle bag and then, like, take
it out of my belly button.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
Oh, wow, yeah, how was that process?
Speaker 3 (35:27):
New to me as well, but now my belly button is
forever messed up.
It's fine.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
It's fine.
How was that healing?
Speaker 3 (35:39):
So I was so nervous because of all the crazy stuff
that happened after theC-section and kind of healing
from that.
But that was totally fine andnormal.
And at this point I'd taken anextended maternity leave and,
like being a teacher, I'm off inthe summer, obviously, but I
took that time in May and then Ialso took off August, september
(36:01):
and then I went back in October.
So it was kind of likerecovering from the surgery and
then going back to work.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
That's really good.
I'm happy that you had thatlong one.
Yeah, yeah.
How is your mental healththrough all of this?
Speaker 3 (36:19):
It's just crazy, like looking back and seeing all of
what I went through and it's soawesome, just like tell it to
you guys.
Like I told you before we goton here, I was like I tell it
all the time, like I will tellanyone that listens.
Um, like the last time I toldit was like at Patrick's work
Christmas party.
Someone you know was askingabout Nolan, like how did
everything go?
(36:39):
And I was like, oh, emergencyC-section.
And she's like tell me more.
And I was like, okay, but doyou really want to know
everything?
And she, yes, and I was like,all right, let's get it.
Yeah, and like I tell it to.
Like one of my co workers now,like I told it while we were on
one studio I was just likehere's my story and my other
(37:02):
coworkers like why do you tell?
Like don't tell her that.
Like you are going to scare herand I'm like no, like it needs
to be said.
Like people should hear alldifferent types of birth stories
.
Like it is not all sunshinesand rainbows and what you
sometimes see on social media.
Wearing the cute gown.
Like I had all of those things.
I wore the hospital gown theentire time.
(37:23):
Like it was awful.
Going home I was in pajamas.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
I get it.
I was too.
Um, what was I going to say?
Oh yeah, cause like fibroidsare so common too.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
Like fibroids are so common too.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
But it dies of the fibroid that was so unusual,
true, yes, yes, has like theyever said like this could happen
with, like, a future pregnancy,or they don't see it coming
back because you had themyomectomy.
Speaker 3 (38:03):
So my doctor that I had for all of this is um.
She left so I'm actuallygetting ready to um in a week to
go in for, like my yearlycheckup.
So I plan on kind of askingsome more questions, um kind of
about that, but they neverrelease.
I know they can come back.
Um, who also told me she's likeyou're gonna have to be on
birth control for the rest ofyour life because that makes the
fibroid like not be able togrow.
And I'm just like, OK, thatdoesn't sound right, Like I
(38:25):
don't know about that.
So I feel like I'm going tojust have to ask more questions
about that.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
Yeah, yeah, so yeah.
Is that not something that theywould have seen like on a
yearly exam?
Like it couldn't have grownthat fast?
Speaker 3 (38:41):
yeah, that's what I thought too, but never any
mention of that either.
So very much went for all of mycheckups and all that.
So, yeah, yeah, so you werejust.
It was kind of like you didn'tknow you had like more putting
on me almost yeah, because wedon't even get ultrasounds of
(39:04):
the uterus until you're pregnantexactly yeah, unless you have
pain, I guess yeah and, like Iremember, I mean on my chart,
it's like I have painful periodsand that is one of the symptoms
.
Um, obviously I don't know howeveryone else is with that, so
it's hard to kind of compare.
And yeah, I think that was kindof just shrugged off too, like
(39:27):
my painful periods.
I'm like I don't know, maybethat was like a sign there too.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Yeah, definitely could have been.
Yeah, they don't take ourhealth very seriously.
Was there anything else that?
Speaker 3 (39:39):
you wanted to add, or just any advice that you wanted
to give other moms who might begoing through something similar
, some advice, yeah, like speakup when something doesn't feel
right, definitely them tellingme like the stomach bug and all
of that.
It was like something's wrong,like I don't think it's a
(39:59):
stomach bug, and kind of likeadvocating for yourself.
And then also like asking forlike specific help when you need
it from like family, becauseit's so many times you're like
well, let me know if you needanything.
Like yes, I need you, know mydishwasher unloaded, I need my
floor swept, like I need food.
(40:22):
Like ask for those specificthings.
Like just don't like kind ofshrug that off.
Like take the help, um, kind ofwhen you need that.
Speaker 2 (40:32):
Definitely.
I love that too.
Um, I feel like I always havethat happen, Like let me know if
you need anything.
Yeah, I do, but I don't knowhow to say it.
Speaker 3 (40:42):
And I feel like now going through this, um, like
other friends that have hadbabies, like I will bring them
like breakfast, lunch chips,like a smoothie, like all of the
things, like can I unload?
They're like I'm sorry that Isucked before, but like now I
know like that you need so muchhelp.
Speaker 2 (41:02):
Yeah, well, that's awesome.
You can be my friend, justkidding.
So how can people get in touchwith you if they like?
Speaker 3 (41:17):
Yeah, so, like on Instagram, I'm pretty active on
on that.
I'm not um like influence oranything like that, just regular
.
Speaker 2 (41:27):
You know crazy teacher mom, so I love it yeah,
well, thank you so much forcoming on and sharing your story
, um, I'm sure nolan is just awonderful boy and he deserves
nothing but the best, and, likewhat you, what you, did for him,
that was pretty incredible.
So thank you so much forsharing.
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
Thank you for joining us on this episode of the
Golden Hour Birth Podcast.
We hope you've enjoyed ourdiscussion and found it
insightful and beneficial.
Remember, the Golden Hour Birthpodcast is made possible by the
support of listeners like you.
If you appreciate the contentwe bring you each week, consider
leaving us a review on yourfavorite podcast platform or
(42:11):
sharing the show with yourfriends and family.
Your support helps us reachmore people and continue
creating valuable episodes.
If you have any questions,suggestions or topics you'd like
, thank you, we'll be back nextweek with another exciting
(43:01):
episode, so be sure to tune in.
Until then, stay golden andremember to take care of
yourself.
We'll catch you on the nextepisode of the Golden Hour Birth
Podcast.
Bye.
Have you ever felt blindsided by a complication in
pregnancy that left you feelinglost and unprepared?
In this episode of the GoldenHour Birth Podcast, we sit down
with Krista, who vulnerablyshares her journey navigating a
large fibroid, an incarcerateduterus and an emergency
C-section after a long labor.
(00:20):
Krista's story brings up theimportant question how do you
navigate for yourself and findsupport when faced with
unexpected challenges inpregnancy and birth?
Join us as we explore the powerof trusting your instincts,
seeking specific help andfinding healing through sharing
your story.
Krista's experience highlightsthe importance of speaking up
(00:41):
when something doesn't feelright and leaning on others
during trying times.
Tune in to gain valuableinsights on facing the unknown
with strength and grace.
The Golden Hour Birth Podcast apodcast about real birth
stories and creating connectionsthrough our shared experiences.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Childbirth isn't just about the child.
It's about the person who gavebirth, their lives, their wisdom
and their empowerment.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
We're Liz and Natalie , the Golden Hour Birth Podcast,
and we're here to laugh withyou, cry with you and hold space
for you.
Welcome to the Golden HourBirth Podcast.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
I am your co-host Liz and I'm your co-host Natalie,
and tonight we have Krista fromSt Louis on.
We were connected through ourhusband's cousin, so thanks so
much for coming on tonight,krista.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, so if you want to goahead and tell listeners a
little bit about you and yourfamily, yeah, so the reason why
(01:49):
we're all here, I am Nolan's mom.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
He was born May 5th 2022.
So he's a Cinco de Mayo baby,is 20 months old, or you know,
almost two years old, a year anda half.
It's so crazy, like how we saymonths in the age, but like I
get it now after being a mom.
So, other than that I'm a wife,I'm a friend, sister, daughter.
I'm also a teacher.
I've been teaching for about 10years.
Outside of being a teacher mom,I love exercising.
I play pickleball.
(02:11):
We recently got a Peloton, soI've been really into that.
I love meal prepping.
Spending time with family andfriends is really important to
me.
And I love technology, shopping, a little bit of Netflix.
Also, becoming a mom, I've beenreally big into self care, so I
love getting my nails done,like going to get a massage
(02:32):
because, like, as I like to say,like mama deserves it.
Yeah, I was born and raised inSt Louis, so also, like, love
anything St Louis, like chemo,just ravioli, like, give me all
of the things.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Gooey butter cake yes , all of it.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Oh my gosh, I could talk about emos all day.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
I mean, I love Provel cheese yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yeah, I just moved while my work moved to the hill
and, like I just started, theyjust opened like a month or two
ago and I'm just like in heavenwith all of the Italian
restaurants love it.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Um so, if you want to go ahead and go into, like you
guys, deciding to start a familyor finding out you were
pregnant, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
So my husband and I met in college back up a little
bit.
We dated actually seven yearsbefore we got engaged.
It was kind of like I was youngand we knew we wanted to get
married eventually and likestart a family, but like we
wanted to live life a little biton our own first.
So we're actually both livingin Soulard.
So, yeah, you know aboutSoulard so much fun, lots of
(03:46):
things to do there both with ourfriends and kind of like enjoy
that life before.
But now at this point myhusband and I, patrick, have
been married for almost sevenyears.
As far as starting a family too,we wanted to like save up money
to buy a house.
Like we were living in thisvery small apartment in Kirkwood
for about a year and I told himwe will buy a house in one year
(04:08):
, like I want to get out of thislittle apartment after Soulard.
And so we bought a house in ayear.
After that too, it was likeokay, let's save up money so
that we can have some kids andlike want to like kind of live
the life like the way that wewant to live.
Bought a house in 2018.
And then COVID kind of hit in2020.
(04:29):
And it feel like it justchanged everything.
There was just so muchuncertainty there so it was like
okay, like what do we do?
Do we wait?
We also really wanted to travel, so we took actually all in one
year the year I got pregnant.
We went to Mexico, gulf Shores,la, and then our last trip was
like a small little trip to theLake of the Ozarks with some
(04:51):
good friends for my birthday,and that was when we were kind
of starting to try to getpregnant.
So it took us about two monthsto get pregnant.
So it happened very quickly forus.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, sounds like you had a good year, though Like
perfect, kind of like lasthurrah.
Not that you have to stoptraveling when you're with kids,
but it's just, you know, anuncomplicated journey there.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Oh, so that was super fun too, just to do all of the
things and then like, okay,we're ready.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, yeah, perfect.
So what was pregnancy like?
Speaker 3 (05:24):
we're ready.
Yeah, yeah, perfect.
So what was pregnancy like?
So pregnancy, it kind ofstarted out pretty normal.
I mean, it's my first one, so Ididn't really know what to
expect.
So it was like when I was atthe Lake of the Ozarks I
actually started to get likereally shortness of breath and I
was like okay, like this isreally weird.
Like I usually exercise a lot,like this is something different
(05:45):
.
I was nauseous on the car ride.
I'm like that's definitelysomething that's not like me.
So it was like all the symptomsof like my period, but like it
never came, so kind of liketaking that pregnancy test and
like it was like okay, we wantto like wait to tell people, you
know, not right away, likeafraid you know something might
(06:06):
happen and, like I said, awfulmorning sickness.
It was like all day sickness,like I never threw up, but it
was just awful.
I remember I look back at likemy notes and I'm like this is
the worst, like why did I getpregnant Um a Zofran?
and like it really didn't workeither.
Um, um, we went to the doctorin nine weeks and she's like,
(06:28):
okay, everything is good, except.
She's like, okay, you have this12 centimeter fibroid that is
on top of your uterus.
And it was like I didn't evenknow what a fibroid was.
Um, I remember I like didn'teven Google like what's a
fibroid.
I went on Facebook and IGoogled fibroid pregnancy and I
(06:48):
actually found this group, um,it's called fibroid sisters
pregnancy, and I kind of found alot of comfort like finding
that group.
Like later on in pregnancy, um,I went on there, it was like,
okay, women had like fivefibroids or like one very tiny
fibroid.
And I'm like, okay, like I'mhearing all of this, like I feel
you know a little bit moreconfident about um, kind of
(07:10):
what's going on.
Um, and so it's basically likea large growth that was on top
of my uterus and I remember myOBGYN was like did you?
know, that you had, like youdon't know.
I'm like, how would I know?
Like feel like you're theperson that's supposed to kind
of yeah, so other than that itwas like okay, like what do we
(07:33):
tell people?
Like we're ready to tell peopleI'm not going to say, hey, mom,
I'm pregnant.
I also have this giganticfibroid.
So we kind of just didn't talkabout the fibroid because the
OBGYN she was like we don'treally have to worry about it,
like everything is fine, we'rejust going to kind of monitor it
.
So like in the back of my mindI just kind of kept that in
(07:54):
there.
So I remember at 12 weeks I hada really bad stomach pain and I
remember calling my girlfriendand she's like, okay, don't go
to the ER, like don't freak out,you can go to the maternity
center, and like they will takecare of you.
Um, so I went there and theybasically told me, um, like that
it was a stomach bug.
And so I go walking out of thematernity center, like I'm
(08:16):
hunched over, I cannot walk atall, and like remember thinking
like something's wrong, likethis is not how a stomach book
should be.
So the next day I'm kind oflaying in bed.
My mom comes over.
She's trying to help me dothings around the house and
she's kind of like you know,like maybe we should go back and
like my mother-in-law is alsotexting me like you should
(08:37):
probably go back.
So we ended up going back againbecause it was like I knew like
something's wrong and and theydid an ultrasound my mom was
there with me, um, and theyexplained at that point that I
had an incarcerated uterus, um,so basically meaning like my
uterus was out of place and inmy mind they never really said
(08:57):
it, but I think that the fibroidon top of my uterus was what
pushed it um kind of out ofplace.
Um.
So I remember he was like, oh,if any issues come up, like
we'll schedule a littleprocedure, like but you're fine
for now.
And my mom kind of motioned,like the room was very dark, I
had a wheelchair, that I'd comeup to the um maternity center
(09:20):
and and she's like she's in awheelchair, like, and he's like,
oh well, that like changeseverything that you're in pain,
um, and everything kind of movedlike really fast.
After that, um, my OBGYN wasthere and with a resident, and
she's like this is really rare,like what has happened, um, and
it was like something like onein 3000 pregnancies this
(09:41):
actually happens, um, and she'slike I've done a few of these in
my career, so it was like veryfast, like she needed to do it
right then.
Like she didn't even have timefor like Patrick to come, like I
was texting him kind of let himknow what was going on, but my
mom was in the room andbasically they work together
kind of with their hands andtools to push the uterus back
(10:03):
into place.
So like I was on all fours atthis point and like my poor mom
is like in there having toexperience this, and I was in
like so much pain.
And when I got done they werelike well, labor is going to be
nothing for you if you deal withthis.
Yeah, Okay, like am I supposedto feel better?
(10:25):
And they also said that usuallythey put people under
anesthesia for that.
Um, but they said it was betterthat I didn't, because they
kind of knew, by the sounds thatI was making, that like it had
worked.
So basically, when like Iscreamed the loudest like it was
done, and that was like crazyto me.
(10:47):
Like it is 20, you know 22 atthis point Like what, why, why?
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Um, I hope this isn't like too TMI, but like did they
like put their hands up?
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yes, that's what I was trying to explain their
hands up there, tools up thereto push it into place.
Oh my God, I am so.
I was trying to explain theirhands up there, tools up there
to push it into place.
Oh, my God, I am so sorry youwent through that and yeah, I
remember after two that someonewas like that also could have
caused a miscarriage and I'mlike I didn't even think about,
I like had no time to askquestions or like anything like
(11:21):
that.
It just happened so quick, likeanything like that.
It just happened so quick.
Um too, um, so kind of afterthe procedure I wish they would
have just said like, hey, you'regoing to be in a ton of pain
for like a few days.
Um, because I kept going backto the maternity center because
I was in so much pain and I waslike, did it happen again?
Like can the uterus go back outof place?
(11:43):
But it was just kind of part ofthe procedure and they gave me
some pain medication to to kindof just get through it.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Was it like an outpatient, like they didn't
admit you or I?
Went right home Like what.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Yeah, yes, I remember like my best friend brought me
food and it was like I could notdo anything that weekend.
Um, I had to miss work a fewdays but it was like okay after
that, like let's keep on rolling.
Um, so after that it was prettynormal.
I always in the back of my mindlike thinking about that
(12:21):
happening and I was just soscared that something else was
going to go wrong, like yeahit's just, yeah, that was tough,
kind of dealing with that, but,yeah, kind of skipping ahead a
little bit to like 36 weeks.
So, yeah, everything was prettynormal Other than that.
I remember I think I made onemore trip back to the maternity
(12:42):
center, um, but um, that was it.
So at 36 weeks it was like thebaby.
They said that the baby wasreally big, but I also had that
big fibroid in there too.
So I was measuring ahead, likemy stomach was just huge,
uncomfortable, um, they actuallyhad me redo my glucose test and
I don't know if that's like anormal thing that happens, but I
(13:05):
passed that again and our one,yeah, just the one hour one.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yeah, yeah, you didn't have to, like, do the
three hour because, like I knowthat, that's another one that
you might have to do.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
So I did the one hour one, like previously, and
they're like let's just redo itagain.
Yeah, A 36 weeks.
So that was kind of strange tome, but everything was always
good with the baby and they didsay I had low amniotic fluid at
that 36 weeks.
So that's when I had to do theweekly non stress test and kind
of those extra ultrasounds towhich I was kind of already
(13:38):
doing with the fibroid to justto kind of keep an eye out with
that.
So we were like ever since, Iguess, 36 weeks it was like we
were so prepared, we had ourbags, we were like ready to roll
, like anything can happen, Likethis crazy fibroid pregnancy,
like let's do it.
So I remember our 37 weekappointment, like everything was
good, and then at 38 weeks wedidn't have our bags, Like we
(14:05):
drove separate cars like fromwork, so like we weren't
prepared at all, Like I don'tknow why.
Um, so we had to do thenon-stress test and basically
when that was going on thebaby's heart rate dropped when I
had a contraction and I didn'tknow at the time.
Then we went into kind of theultrasound room and they're like
when that happens, like youdon't get to leave the hospital.
(14:26):
And it was like whoa, like okay,did not expect that, and I just
start like crying.
I'm like calling my parents.
I'm like we don't have our bagsand like the baby is coming
right now, like we got to gopeople, like it's go time and
like little did I know, like somuch was still like in store for
my journey.
After that, so kind of afterthat, they took us up to our
(14:50):
room Like my parents come, theyget us our bags, like we're kind
of cozy, and at this point thiswas Tuesday, may 3rd, getting
admitted and then like skippingahead just a little bit, so he
was Cinco de Mayo baby, so bornon May 5th, on Thursday, um.
So I remember like relaxing andthey were starting the Pitocin
(15:13):
around like 8 pm.
I think was when everythingstarted to kind of get rolling,
um, but at that point I wasdilated like two centimeters, so
like not very far along, um.
And I remember the first nightthey had to move us rooms
because of staffing issues andthat was kind of a whole big
thing too, like we did not getany sleep.
(15:33):
I ended up they did the Foleybulb around 2am and we did not
take any birthing classes oranything like that.
She was kind of like we'll talkyou through everything, like
you don't need any of that.
So I had no idea what some ofthese things were and like I
trust that the nurses, you know,know what's best and are going
(15:54):
to do what's best.
So they said I could get likethe epidural before the Foley
bulb.
And in my mind, like I knew Iwanted an epidural, I was like
to them, I said is there anyreason why I should wait?
And they're like no, go aheadand get it if you want it.
And in my mind I'm like thereis no gold star for how long you
(16:17):
are without an epidural.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
That's what my pediatrician said to me you
don't get a gold star, yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
That's yeah.
Like yes, there's metal.
Like so, just get it if, like,you want it, and if you don't,
that's okay too.
But I knew that I wanted that.
So, yeah, everything kind ofTuesday just moving very slowly,
and like the same for Wednesday.
It was like, okay, it's May 4th, like I'm ready, I'm having a
May the 4th.
Be with you.
Star Wars yes, it is what it is.
(16:47):
Um, so I remember I was dilatedto four at 430am on Wednesday
and then they came back andthey're like no, you're actually
a two.
Like you haven't made anyprogress.
It's all about perspective.
And I was like what?
Like I was so excited, thinkingI was making this progress.
I remember like they got thepeanut out I'm trying all these
(17:10):
different positions, like we'reFaceTiming people just to kind
of pass the time, like lettingpeople know what's going on and
they're like is there the baby?
Yet, like what's happening?
I was like nothing, likenothing is happening.
Um, so they ended up like uppingthe Pitocin and they just kept
checking me and checking meStill no progress.
And they had to stop thePitocin and then start it over
(17:34):
from the beginning.
I'm like okay, like let's dothis, it's all right.
And they were still kind ofchecking me and yeah, basically
like it was still the same.
So then I have, at 1230 AM theytried a suppository kind of a
different medication so thiswould be on Thursday and they're
(17:55):
like this is going to workbetter.
So it was 430am.
I was still at a three andthat's when they decided to
break my water and I had no ideawhat that was like gonna be
like either.
It just kept coming and thatwas something totally crazy too.
I'm like, oh, my goodness.
And finally I was at fourcentimeters dilated and I was
(18:20):
just starting to feel like a lotof pressure and like some time
went on.
I was at a five and I tooknotes like the nurse is amazing
right now so like everything wasmoving along and she got
checking on me and it was 1130AM and I was dilated to a nine.
And then it's like, okay, like anine, like still at a nine,
(18:42):
still at a nine.
I'm like calling my mom and dad.
I'm like come to the hospital,like what are you doing?
It's raining.
My mom was at the post office.
I'm like, come to the hospital.
Like what are you doing?
It's raining.
My mom was at the post office.
I'm like get here Like the babyis coming.
I knew that I wanted my mom inthe room for that too.
That was really something thatwas important to me.
Patrick was in there as well,but I just really wanted her to
be in the room, so she kind ofrushes over there and like we
(19:05):
still were not close.
So I don't really remember whenor like if ever they're like
you're out of 10.
But I just remember I'm likeI'm feeling a lot of pressure
and they're like it's time topush.
So I couldn't really figure outwhat time that was around my
husband thinks around 5pm.
So I basically pushed for anhour and it was like nothing was
(19:28):
happening there either.
So they actually had me stopfor an hour.
They're like we want like thehead to drop.
So like stopping for that hourwas like the most pain I had
like ever been in.
It was just like I kept tellingmyself I was like you cannot
(19:48):
like remember pain.
I'm like you'll never be ableto like feel this pain again.
Like just get through it, havethis baby, like it'll be okay,
um.
So I don't know how, but thatkind of got me through that hour
of stopping.
And, um, they were like well,your hips are small and the
baby's head is really big, solike it wasn't like I was
getting a lot of answers as tokind of what was happening, um,
(20:12):
and basically they were likeyou're pushing like a rock star,
um, but if you want to stop,like that's okay, we can do the
C-section, or you can keeppushing.
And I was like I want to keeppushing, like I want to know.
Like that I gave it my allbefore let's have a C-section.
So I pushed for another hourafter that and just I mean
(20:34):
nothing was happening.
So kind of.
After that the baby's heartrate was really high and I ended
up spiking a fever.
And I remember they're likehave you been exposed to COVID?
Like trying to kind of figureout.
I'm like no, I like I've beenhere, I haven't been exposed to
COVID.
And kind of after that it got alittle bit scary.
(20:56):
It was like what is going on?
So the doctor kind of came inand they're like we're going to
have to do an emergencyC-section.
And I remember just like cryingat that point and like not
because I didn't want to seesection or I was scared or
anything like that.
It was like I spent so much timeand energy on one way and like
(21:18):
now it's like just going to be aC-section, like it was so like
kind of just like frustrating.
Like you know, should we havedone that from the beginning?
Like what, what, what, likewhat's happening, um, and I mean
I was scared too, just what'sgonna happen, and it was like so
many people in the room, um,like my parents were in the room
for a little bit.
(21:39):
Patrick is in there.
Um, only he was allowed um forthe c-section, so he was getting
his scrubs on, he was gettinghis mask on and I was so sleepy
like I could not keep my eyesopen.
Um, I guess because of all themedicine, and like I was
exhausted yeah, it was like 48hours but like at the time I'm
(22:00):
like why am I getting sleepy?
like I need to be awake for this?
Like be awake, like why I'malways tired, like why, but like
, but like looking back, I'mlike that's like a marathon,
like my, yeah, it was likeshutting down almost at that
time, um, so like in theC-section room.
Yeah, I just remember um likenot really all being there but
(22:22):
like trying so hard to keep myeyes um open and it was like all
of a sudden they were like myeyes open and it was like all of
a sudden they were like it's aboy and we we did not find out.
So I was like what?
Because everyone was telling melike you're having a girl,
you're having.
It was like we did all thoseold wives tales and it was going
to be a girl, but no, it was aboy.
So I was just so excited andPatrick kind of got that time to
(22:47):
let cut the umbilical cord andhold him and the whole time, you
know I'm being like fixed backup, feeling this pressure, and
I'm like, you know, I'm kind offeeling some things.
So they're like pumping me withmore um medication and I'm like
why do I have like this IV in myarm and, um, they told me
they're like you lost a lot ofblood, like we had it just in
(23:07):
case we had to use it for like ablood transfusion, but like it
wasn't needed and I was likeshaking and they're just like
pumping more meds in me and Ialso remember being like how big
is the baby?
And they were like seven pounds, 12 ounces and I'm like that's
interesting, because whole timeit was like big baby, big baby,
(23:31):
like to me that's a very likemiddle, medium-sized baby.
I was expecting like ninepounds, yeah, after they pumped
me up and made me redo theglucose test, but this was.
He was born at 9 39 pm.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
So on may 5th oh, did they um when they had you open?
Did they like look at thefibroid or anything?
Speaker 3 (23:59):
yes.
So that doctor got to see myfibroid but she could not take
it out at that time, um, becauseI would lose too much blood.
So probably all like whoa, lookat, check it out, yeah, yeah.
So after that we went into thepost-op room for two hours, so,
(24:21):
like Patrick's in there with me,my parents are in there, and
actually Patrick's parents endedup and actually, um, patrick's
parents ended up, um, they gotexposed to COVID.
So that was kind of crazy, um,because it was like okay, do we
let them come?
Do they like wear a mask?
Like what should we do?
And the doctor was very muchlike you know, if they've been
exposed to COVID, like theyshouldn't be around a little
(24:42):
baby and like that was so hardtoo.
Like, looking back, I'm like,was that the right decision?
I don't know.
Like you know, we'll never know.
They ended up not getting iteither.
But kind of in the post-op roomI was just like where's my
Jimmy John's?
I went to I love that Because Iwas.
(25:04):
I gave up, like you know, punchme and all of it Like like this
is my glass of champagne.
Like this is not how it shouldbe.
Like I was.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
They were closed.
You said what's that?
They were closed.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
I mean, I think so at almost 10 o'clock at night.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Oh yeah, man I always like think back to my college
days, when they would be openuntil like 1 or 3 a.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
I don't think so.
And number two, I was I'mreally passionate about
breastfeeding.
I'm actually stillbreastfeeding.
I absolutely love it.
So I was like, is he latched?
Is he like saying all thiscrazy stuff?
But like he was just there likeso perfectly, like latching,
(25:49):
and I was like, well, like onething is going good for me right
now.
You know, like I felt like this, just like he was such a good
baby to like, right as he cameout, that like that was awesome,
like I needed that.
So we finally kind of moved intoour room for the night and like
I don't feel like I held Nolana lot because I was just so out
(26:13):
of it.
So it was like the only thing Icould do to like bond with him
was like breastfeed.
And even with that, like thenurses are like turning on the
lights like you need to stayawake right now, krista, like
what are you doing?
And they're helping me likehold him too, because I'm like
falling asleep.
But other than that, it waslike Patrick changed all the
(26:33):
diapers, like had to hold himand like visit, with everyone
kind of coming in, and it waslike I didn't really get to do
all those things.
I'll kind of get to that in aminute, like why?
Also, kind of what happenedafter that?
But so Friday I feel like thatwas a pretty normal day.
I could order breakfast andlunch, like we're in there, just
(26:55):
like having a good time, likemy family came to visit after
they all got off work.
But I remember I felt like verysick and nauseous and I'm like
I need to lay down and like mymom's like, oh my gosh, like we
like overdid it, we shouldn'thave came to visit.
And I remember my sister-in-law.
Later she's like I could telllike something was like not
(27:18):
right she's a doctor, so butshe's like I didn't feel
something was like not right.
Um, she's a doctor, so butshe's like I didn't feel like it
was like my place to like sayanything then.
Um, so that evening was when,like I just started like
throwing up and it was just likecrazy, like it wasn't thrown up
, like I've never seen that kindof throw up kind of before and
my stomach was huge.
(27:39):
I guess I don't know how itshould look, but like the
picture that day, it just islike crazy how big my stomach
was.
So for Saturday we were like novisitors, since I was throwing
up and having this awful time.
But I'm like mom, I need you tocome up because, like Patrick
cannot do all of this.
Like I'm like Mom, I need youto come up because, like Patrick
(28:00):
cannot do all of this.
Like I'm over here throwing uplike no one's crying, the nurses
are running in like we needsome help.
So that was when, like thenurses kind of figured out that
I had an ileus, so basically mylike intestines just stopped
working after surgery and likethat's a normal thing that could
(28:20):
happen after surgery, I guess.
But like I don't know, I neverreally heard of someone that had
that after a C-section.
So they had to put an NG tubein me for that.
So it went up my nose and downmy throat like it wasn't like
this little oxygen tube.
I remember I text my bestfriend.
I'm like, like it wasn't likethis little oxygen tube.
(28:41):
I remember I text my bestfriend I'm like I got this tube.
She was picturing like a cutelittle tube.
No, it was just like up my noseon my so painful.
After they put that in, they'relike, oh, sometimes we get
punched when we're doing yeah, Ifelt like punching you, yeah.
And I remember like they weregetting ready to leave after
(29:04):
they put the tube in and I waslike, okay, like I can do this,
like maybe a few hours it'sgoing to be in, like we'll get
it, we'll get through this, andI'm like, no, just just like,
how long about?
You know, do you think I'llhave to have this in?
And they're like a few days.
So I had the tube, wasbasically pumping everything
kind of out of my stomach, um so, and it was like with every
(29:29):
like swallow, like you felt thetube in there.
It was awful, and my mom out ofthe room for that.
She came back in the room andshe's like you were just like
seating, like you were so mad atthat point and like I just did
not say a word and I'm usuallypretty dramatic and animated,
(29:50):
but like I did not complainbecause it was just that like
miserable kind of what I wasgoing through.
Um so I remember having likewonderful nurses in there and
they were all like one was likeprepping the other nurses.
They're like okay, like this iswhat she likes, this is what
(30:11):
she doesn't.
Like They'd been with me for solong.
She's like now, when she goesto the bathroom, like don't
stand in there with her, likeshe wants you to close the door,
like get out there and give hersome privacy.
So it was just like funnythings like that.
That like got me through it,like all my funny quirks.
But it was like I was in somuch pain, um, so Sunday we're
(30:31):
still in the hospital.
Um, it was actually mother'sday, like work mother's day ever
to be in the hospital with thetwo.
Um, like my in-laws came tovisit, I was just like out of it
.
Um, and, like you know,everyone else got to hold the
baby and just like enjoy thattime and I was just kind of just
all I could do was breastfeed.
(30:53):
Still at that point, um, and Iremember they were like you can
do, like this is hard, like youcan do formula if you want, and
I had nothing against that, butI was like this is all that I
can do for my baby, like rightnow, like just let me do this
one thing I can't do, um.
So, like I said, yeah, that waslike kind of my bond Um.
(31:16):
So then on Monday, um we werestill in the hospital, um.
So then on Monday, um we werestill in the hospital, they
actually ended up kind ofclamping the NG tube is what
they do before they totally takeit out, um, just to kind of see
how you react to that Um.
So I remember I could have likesoda and broth and juice and
like I like had nothing, no foodin my stomach.
(31:38):
Um, they gave me like an IV andfinally by the end of the day,
um, I got the tube kind of takenout and I could have a dinner,
um like a soft dinner, and thena breakfast as well, and they
kind of like took out thestaples for the C-section and I
remember that wasn't very bad,like kind of taking those
staples out.
(32:00):
So Tuesday was May 10.
And that was the day we finallywere told that like we could go
home.
But I had this small problemwhere I could not pee Because
this whole time they had acatheter in me and they would
like keep taking it in and out,like I think five or six times I
had that kind of in and out ofin and out.
Like I think five or six timesI had that kind of in and out.
(32:21):
So they were like you're gonnahave to go home with a catheter
and I'm like what?
But I'm also like, okay, we'regoing home, like it's fine, we
can do this.
But it ended up they called mydoctor and she's like take it
out, make her pee, then she cango home.
And I like drink tons of waterthroughout the day.
So I'm like, yes, like if youjust let me drink actual water,
(32:44):
I will be able to pee.
So sure enough.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
I drank water, I peed and I was able to go home.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
It to Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Yeah, wow, um, so how was healing from there?
Speaker 3 (33:09):
So healing from there .
Um, I think like the C-sectionit was pretty rough Um, like I
remember like asking my mom Iwas like will I ever feel like
myself?
Like, like when will this getbetter?
Um, and she actually had threeC-sections Um, so she kind of
knew what I was going through Um, but like not really a lot of
(33:31):
my friends had had C-sections,so I was kind of like on my own
with that Um, but it was rough,but I would say pretty normal
with recovery just moving slow,um, things like that.
Nolan was such a great sleeper,so like that made it really
good that he was like just soawesome.
Lots of friends and familyreally supported us like bring
(33:52):
us food, helped us out andthings like that.
After.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
That's good.
It seems like you have arockin' support system from like
.
You're very close with yourparents and your in-laws and
things like that.
After, that's good.
It seems like you have a rockand support system from like.
You're very close with yourparents and your in-laws and
things like that.
So that's really really greatfor you, especially while going
through you know the wholepregnancy and everything Wow.
Speaker 3 (34:14):
Yeah, it's like.
In the back of my mind, though,it was like, okay, I still have
this fibroid, like what's that?
Um?
So I had to go in for anotherultrasound for the fibroid and,
um, I guess it grew they told melike to 15 centimeters while I
was pregnant, um, but then itlike shrunk back down and it was
(34:37):
at like 12.5 centimeters, likeafter I gave birth, um, and I
found out like it weighed twopounds.
Wow.
Speaker 1 (34:44):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (34:45):
So I had to have a laparoscopic myomectomy was what
it was called Um, and I hadthat done in September.
So I was four months postpartumto have that.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
How was that?
Um, like, I've heard of it, butI don't really know exactly
what it is.
Can you kind of explain?
Speaker 3 (35:07):
So basically for that , um, like they went in through
my belly button um to take itout they had to cut it up cause
it was so big and put it in alittle bag and then, like, take
it out of my belly button.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
Oh, wow, yeah, how was that process?
Speaker 3 (35:27):
New to me as well, but now my belly button is
forever messed up.
It's fine.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
It's fine.
How was that healing?
Speaker 3 (35:39):
So I was so nervous because of all the crazy stuff
that happened after theC-section and kind of healing
from that.
But that was totally fine andnormal.
And at this point I'd taken anextended maternity leave and,
like being a teacher, I'm off inthe summer, obviously, but I
took that time in May and then Ialso took off August, september
(36:01):
and then I went back in October.
So it was kind of likerecovering from the surgery and
then going back to work.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
That's really good.
I'm happy that you had thatlong one.
Yeah, yeah.
How is your mental healththrough all of this?
Speaker 3 (36:19):
It's just crazy, like looking back and seeing all of
what I went through and it's soawesome, just like tell it to
you guys.
Like I told you before we goton here, I was like I tell it
all the time, like I will tellanyone that listens.
Um, like the last time I toldit was like at Patrick's work
Christmas party.
Someone you know was askingabout Nolan, like how did
everything go?
(36:39):
And I was like, oh, emergencyC-section.
And she's like tell me more.
And I was like, okay, but doyou really want to know
everything?
And she, yes, and I was like,all right, let's get it.
Yeah, and like I tell it to.
Like one of my co workers now,like I told it while we were on
one studio I was just likehere's my story and my other
(37:02):
coworkers like why do you tell?
Like don't tell her that.
Like you are going to scare herand I'm like no, like it needs
to be said.
Like people should hear alldifferent types of birth stories
.
Like it is not all sunshinesand rainbows and what you
sometimes see on social media.
Wearing the cute gown.
Like I had all of those things.
I wore the hospital gown theentire time.
(37:23):
Like it was awful.
Going home I was in pajamas.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
I get it.
I was too.
Um, what was I going to say?
Oh yeah, cause like fibroidsare so common too.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
Like fibroids are so common too.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
But it dies of the fibroid that was so unusual,
true, yes, yes, has like theyever said like this could happen
with, like, a future pregnancy,or they don't see it coming
back because you had themyomectomy.
Speaker 3 (38:03):
So my doctor that I had for all of this is um.
She left so I'm actuallygetting ready to um in a week to
go in for, like my yearlycheckup.
So I plan on kind of askingsome more questions, um kind of
about that, but they neverrelease.
I know they can come back.
Um, who also told me she's likeyou're gonna have to be on
birth control for the rest ofyour life because that makes the
fibroid like not be able togrow.
And I'm just like, OK, thatdoesn't sound right, Like I
(38:25):
don't know about that.
So I feel like I'm going tojust have to ask more questions
about that.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
Yeah, yeah, so yeah.
Is that not something that theywould have seen like on a
yearly exam?
Like it couldn't have grownthat fast?
Speaker 3 (38:41):
yeah, that's what I thought too, but never any
mention of that either.
So very much went for all of mycheckups and all that.
So, yeah, yeah, so you werejust.
It was kind of like you didn'tknow you had like more putting
on me almost yeah, because wedon't even get ultrasounds of
(39:04):
the uterus until you're pregnantexactly yeah, unless you have
pain, I guess yeah and, like Iremember, I mean on my chart,
it's like I have painful periodsand that is one of the symptoms
.
Um, obviously I don't know howeveryone else is with that, so
it's hard to kind of compare.
And yeah, I think that was kindof just shrugged off too, like
(39:27):
my painful periods.
I'm like I don't know, maybethat was like a sign there too.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Yeah, definitely could have been.
Yeah, they don't take ourhealth very seriously.
Was there anything else that?
Speaker 3 (39:39):
you wanted to add, or just any advice that you wanted
to give other moms who might begoing through something similar
, some advice, yeah, like speakup when something doesn't feel
right, definitely them tellingme like the stomach bug and all
of that.
It was like something's wrong,like I don't think it's a
(39:59):
stomach bug, and kind of likeadvocating for yourself.
And then also like asking forlike specific help when you need
it from like family, becauseit's so many times you're like
well, let me know if you needanything.
Like yes, I need you, know mydishwasher unloaded, I need my
floor swept, like I need food.
(40:22):
Like ask for those specificthings.
Like just don't like kind ofshrug that off.
Like take the help, um, kind ofwhen you need that.
Speaker 2 (40:32):
Definitely.
I love that too.
Um, I feel like I always havethat happen, Like let me know if
you need anything.
Yeah, I do, but I don't knowhow to say it.
Speaker 3 (40:42):
And I feel like now going through this, um, like
other friends that have hadbabies, like I will bring them
like breakfast, lunch chips,like a smoothie, like all of the
things, like can I unload?
They're like I'm sorry that Isucked before, but like now I
know like that you need so muchhelp.
Speaker 2 (41:02):
Yeah, well, that's awesome.
You can be my friend, justkidding.
So how can people get in touchwith you if they like?
Speaker 3 (41:17):
Yeah, so, like on Instagram, I'm pretty active on
on that.
I'm not um like influence oranything like that, just regular
.
Speaker 2 (41:27):
You know crazy teacher mom, so I love it yeah,
well, thank you so much forcoming on and sharing your story
, um, I'm sure nolan is just awonderful boy and he deserves
nothing but the best, and, likewhat you, what you, did for him,
that was pretty incredible.
So thank you so much forsharing.
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
Thank you for joining us on this episode of the
Golden Hour Birth Podcast.
We hope you've enjoyed ourdiscussion and found it
insightful and beneficial.
Remember, the Golden Hour Birthpodcast is made possible by the
support of listeners like you.
If you appreciate the contentwe bring you each week, consider
leaving us a review on yourfavorite podcast platform or
(42:11):
sharing the show with yourfriends and family.
Your support helps us reachmore people and continue
creating valuable episodes.
If you have any questions,suggestions or topics you'd like
, thank you, we'll be back nextweek with another exciting
(43:01):
episode, so be sure to tune in.
Until then, stay golden andremember to take care of
yourself.
We'll catch you on the nextepisode of the Golden Hour Birth
Podcast.
Bye.
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