"Mama who helped her labor progress by resting"
Today, we would like to introduce you to Ola Odunuyi!
Ola, thank you so much for giving us the chance to learn more about your birth story!
What was your greatest challenge in preparing for your birth BEFORE joining Werk Your Birth program?
My greatest challenge before learning from Chanel was feeling like I had little to no knowledge of how to advocate for myself during the delivery process. I wasn’t sure how to overcome my knowledge deficit since I went into labor sooner than anticipated and had little time to properly prepare.
What made you decide to join Werk Your Birth?
I decided to join Werk Your Birth after I came across a video on IG where a couple discussed their positive experience using the course. They emphasized how helpful it was in preparing them for the labor and delivery and how they reflected back on the information included in the course.
To learn more about how you and your partner can become prepared for birth, check out my virtual birth coaching here.
Okay, so tell us about your birth? Walk us through your story!
Although I gave birth on 10/15/22, I’d say my birth story really began on 10/10/22. On this day I arrived to the hospital for a blood pressure check feeling tired and anxious. I was 33 weeks pregnant at the time and even though my OB provider noted that my BPs had been slowly creeping up, I was hopeful that the numbers would be normal and was looking forward to getting back into bed. Unfortunately, my BP was registering in the 160s/110s despite multiple rechecks. To say I was in shock is an understatement. My BP had never been that high before and suddenly the medical team was throwing out all kinds of terminology: severe preeclampsia, emergency C-section, STAT transfer to the L & D floor, and so on. After a tense conversation between myself, my husband, and the medical team it was determined that I did not have to go for a C-section that day since my BP responded well to medication. I ended up calling my parents and pastor who prayed for and encouraged me at the time. The goal was to continue monitoring/managing my BPs with medication until I got to 34 weeks and then I’d be induced. I was told the national guidelines recommend giving birth at 34 weeks in cases of severe preeclampsia despite the fact that my husband and I preferred to wait until at least 36 weeks. Before being admitted to the hospital, I had already scheduled a zoom session with Chanel for 10/12 because I was really interested in learning non-medicinal methods for getting through labor. Even though I was in the hospital on the day of the session, I still decided to keep the appointment. I am very grateful for the conversation I had with Chanel and obtaining access to her course. I decided to focus mainly on the info related to the labor process as I felt this would be most beneficial in my case. Unfortunately, routine labs showed that the preeclampsia was starting to affect my liver so at 33 weeks and 4 days I was induced. I was already familiar with the names of the medications that would be used for the induction thanks to Chanel’s content. I started off receiving Cytotec and began feeling contractions after a couple hours. At first I was able to tolerate the contractions but at a certain point they became more intense. I opted to get an epidural because my BP was being closely monitored and the doctors let me know if my BP spiked up or the baby showed signs of distress on the monitor, I’d be rushed in for a C-section. Even with the epidural, I still felt the contractions somewhat which I didn’t mind. I wanted to use the feel of the contractions to let me know when to push when the time came for that. After 12 hours of Cytotec and using the birth ball intermittently, I became 5-6 cm dilated. I was excited and so sure the baby would arrive before the night shift. Wrong. I remained at 5-6 cm for the rest of the day shift. Already feeling discouraged about the lack of labor progression, one of the doctors decided to put salt on my wound by informing me that she didn’t want me to be in labor too long for the sake of my health and the baby’s. If my labor did not continue to progress in the next couple hours, I’d be taken in for a C-section. I became overwhelmed with emotion because I wanted nothing more than to push my baby out in the world safely and so far the baby had been just fine on the fetal monitor. At 7 pm, the nurses changed shifts and the night shift nurse I was assigned was a Godsend. She looked me in the eyes and said: “Let’s see what we can do to get this baby delivered naturally tonight.” She repositioned me and I fell asleep. Around 8:10 pm, I woke up to heavy pressure in my butt that felt a lot like I needed to make a bowel movement. I also felt the sensation of the baby’s head dropping down. I yelled for my husband to call my nurse because I had a feeling I was fully dilated. Sure enough when the doctor came in to check me I was at 10 cm. I was ecstatic! I had to wait for the rest of the medical team to arrive before I could start pushing. To my shock, I was instructed to bend my legs, bring my knees to my chest, and then push. This felt like the most unnatural way to push but I did as I was told. With my husbands encouragement and the feel of the contractions to guide me, I began to push. As I pushed it became clear to me why rest during labor was so important. I was exhausted but I kept at it. At 8:33 pm Ismail Lamidi was born weighing 4 oz 1 lb. Reassured by the sounds of his cries and the doctors confirmation that no further medical intervention was needed, I relaxed and basked in the newness of motherhood as I prepared to deliver the placenta.
How did Werk Your Birth positively impact your birthing experience?
Werk Your Birth had a positive impact on my birthing experience because it gave me a sliver of hope when I was in a high stress situation and unsure of my next steps. After meeting with Chanel to discuss my situation, I felt reassured that there was now information at my disposal that I could utilize to speak up about my needs and minimize unnecessary medical intervention.
What has this program done for you (and your partner)?
The program helped me and my partner share common ground as we both focused on making sure I was able to have a safe delivery by being confident advocating for myself and asking questions as needed.
Were there any results you weren't expecting that pleasantly surprised you?
It surprised me how quickly I was able to fully dilate after repositioning, relaxing, and using the birthing ball. This occurred after my medical team had come to tell me that a C-section was imminent if my labor didn’t progress soon. The aforementioned tools allowed me to experience a vaginal birth.
What would you tell a mama who is hoping to prepare for birth?
I would tell a mom that is trying to prepare for birth not to be discouraged and become comfortable with expressing her needs and being in tune with her body during the labor and delivery process. I would also advise moms to do research early on regarding the type of birth they’d like to have and non-pharmacological ways to manage pain and promote dilation.
Before we end, what would you tell someone who is considering investing in the Werk Your Birth program?
I would tell someone thinking of investing in the program that you get what you put in to it. Meeting with Chanel before purchasing the class is helpful to explain your situation and what you hope to take away from it. This allows Chanel to provide guidance on how to best complete the program but it’s up to each person to read through the information.
Be sure to follow this mama on her journey on Instagram @hola_ola14
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Looking for more information? Take a look around because we have so many resources available to you (and your partner) on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and of course here on our website.