"First time mama who kept her faith during unplanned induction and conquered her birth!"

Today, I would like to introduce you to Valere Waymmann.

First of Valere, thank you so much for giving us the chance to learn more about your birth story! 

When did you give birth and how?

In July of 2022 I had a medicated birth and John and I welcomed our beautiful baby girl Joelle.

What was your greatest challenge in preparing for your birth BEFORE joining Werk Your Birth program?

Fear of the unknown! This was my first pregnancy, so I was very afraid of all of the things I didn't know. The access we have to so much information was so overwhelming. 

What made you decide to join Werk Your Birth? 

The idea of a pain free birth was extremely appealing. I knew that birth would come with challenges, but Chanel's platform was the first I had come across that incorporated faith, tools I could practice, and organized realistic goals and education. 

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!

My pregnancy was rough from the beginning. I had all of the classic first-time pregnancy symptoms. I was had nausea through month 5 and mild sickness. Once that passed, I felt okay. At 31 weeks I was sent to the hospital because my BP was high during a prenatal appointment. They monitored me for several hours, took bloodwork, and rechecked my BP every 15 minutes.  After I was discharged, I was diagnosed with mild preeclampsia, where they typically induce at 37 weeks. This was frustrating to me because to this point, my BP and bloodwork had been normal. I talked to my midwife and we came up with a game plan. I would come in for weekly urine tests, bloodwork and ultrasound to monitor baby and keep an eye on my levels. I remained within normal ranges for the next 5-6 weeks. During this time I was already doing stretches and walking to prepare for birth. I started doing curb walking, eating dates, and had already been taking red raspberry leaf supplements. At 37 +1, I was sent to the hospital again for another high BP reading. At that point, my midwife team suggested induction and after talking with my husband, we agreed and I came in Friday 7/8/22 at 37+5. My hospital experience to start wasn't great. I arrived at 6AM, I was stuck several times trying to put in the IV, I was put on medication to help lower my BP which meant I was strapped to an IV pole. My midwife went to insert the folley bulb to start induction, but my vaginal canal would not allow it, so we ended up using cervidil which was put in around 5 or 6pm. I was always open to the use of pain medication to help with labor pains, I just knew I wanted to avoid an epidural if I could help it. While the cervidil was in for 12 hours, I could get up from the bed and move around a little bit. What really helped was bouncing on the ball while my husband rubbed my back. They were still monitoring my BP and it wasn't getting better with the medication they were using, so they gave me another one. After that, I was put on magnesium to help prevent me from having a seizure or worse from the BP medication. Being on magnesium makes a lot of patients unstable, so they don't let you get out of the bed. This meant that the rest of my labor would have to happen in the bed. The cervidil came out around 5 or 6 AM and I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. they checked me again around 9AM and I was 2cm but 80-85% effaced. By this time my contractions were steady, and the pain meds I got via IV were helping me get some rest. between 10 and 11Am, the contractions were getting stronger and the pain meds were pretty much my match for their strength. By 11Am the pressure was pretty intense. They check me and I was 4cm but 100% effaced. I was feeling lots of pressure and the contractions were rolling every 2-3 minutes or so. I remember telling my mom that it felt like I had to push, but in order to give the hospital team time to get in the room, she told me to just breathe and not to push. The midwife came back to check and I had gone from 4cm to 10 cm in about 40 minutes. They broke the bed down and there really wasn't time to do anything but push. My husband held one leg and my mom held the other. Our daughter was born at 11:39am on 7/9 after only 3 pushes. 

How did Werk Your Birth positively impact your birthing experience? 

Werk Your Birth was everything! Going into the hospital, I knew my rights as a patient. My husband and I were also able to be on the same page about what we wanted and what say we had in the process. we were also educated on the ability to ask for time, more detailed explanations, alternatives, risks, etc. The course helped me shift my focus during labor and know what part of labor I was in based on how I was feeling and how my body was responding.

This could be your story too. Apply here.

What has this program done for you (and your partner)? 

It has given my more confidence in my voice in the world of healthcare. Prior to the program and giving birth, I was pretty sure I would never have another baby. After having gone through it and how manageable labor was (after the BP issues), I could see myself doing it again. My husband wants more children, and I wasn't sure I would want to, but now it's a conversation we have together based on our shared experience. It has also brought us closer, because he feels useful and supportive during the process. 

Were there any results you weren't expecting that pleasantly surprised you? 

Yes, how fast my labor progressed once it got started. I was prepared to labor for a really long time, but things moved relatively quickly. 

What would you tell a mama who is hoping to prepare for birth? 

Focus on creating your own experience. Educate yourself but know what to filter out. Don't consume horror stories, consume positive birth experiences like the one you want to have. 

Before we end, what would you tell someone who is considering investing in the Werk Your Birth program? 

That it is worth the confidence, knowledge and empowerment you receive afterwards. I was worried during the course that I wouldn't remember anything I learned when the time came, but everything came to me as I needed it. The fact that it is self-paced is perfect and the group calls are encouraging, knowing that others are going through the same process as you, asking similar questions.

Be sure to follow this mama on her journey on Instagram @VALidatedBeauty

If you have been a part of my Werk Your Birth program and want to be interviewed fill out this link.

If you have a desire to join our community and become empowered during your pregnancy and birth, join here.

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.