05/17/2026
Morgan's Birth Story
"In October of 2020, I gave birth to my first baby. I was induced and went into the hospital disappointed my body wouldnât go into labor on its own and so anxious about what was to come, but determined to have my baby without medication. My only support during that time was my husband due to Covid. Long story short, 8 hours into a pitocin-heavy labor, I ended up getting an epidural and having my baby 4 hours later. I was glad she was here, but immediately after I was upset that I hadnât been able to do it. It lit a fire in me though!
5 years later when I became pregnant with my son, I knew I wanted things to be different, starting with care. This time instead of an OB, I went with Quilted Health. The incredible team of midwives made me feel seen and heard every step of the way. They supported me through my first trimester anxiety and did every test and answered every question I had. I also found a doula who aligned with my values and was 100% ready to support me and my birth plan. I was excited and felt empowered. I just needed to get to the end of my pregnancy and go into labor.
However, just like his sister, he was cozy in there, and after THREE membrane sweeps (owch) and doing literally everything I could think of to help induce labor he still wasnât coming. So I had an NST, and the results werenât exactly what we had hoped for. My little guyâs heart looked great and he was well physically, but my amniotic fluid levels werenât awesome. I was told that they highly recommend l be induced that night. I called my doula and husband crying and again, so upset with myself that I âcouldnât do it on my ownâ.
Ultimately, we all agreed it was probably for the best to meet baby sooner rather than later. So that evening, my husband and I walked into the hospital with all our bags and met our doula at labor and delivery.
I was given what the nurses called the âVIP roomâ and we settled in for the long haul. Midwife Shelley was on call that night, and she came in to make a plan with me. I was already 4cm dilated and 70% effaced, so we decided to try to break my water and go from there.
However, babyâs head wasnât low enough to get a good poke, so we went with plan B: a little pitocin and some labor positioning to bring his head down. My mom came to support me partway through, and my doula helped me labor though it for a few hours. I made some good progress so we were able to try again to break my water.
Shortly after breaking my water, my contractions began to get stronger and harder to talk though. Then I hit transition. I breathed and swayed through each contraction. I reminded myself each time that I can do it and that the pain I was feeling was temporary.
They turned the pitocin off and my body kicked in and remembered what to do. I felt all of it. The need to bear down and push came pretty suddenly so they checked me and I was at 8cm. This kind of scared me because in my first birth, I stalled at 8cm for 4 hours. But I was still determined and I told myself again that I could do it.
Not even 10 mins later I said âI have to pushâ and they got me on my side and checked me again. I was at 10cm. I was pushing whether or not they wanted me to. He was coming and I couldnât stop it.
Shelley and my doula coached me though my first push, and then Shelley seemed to quickly realize he really WAS coming right then and there and scrambled to get her second glove on because his head was nearly out.
3 pushes. Thatâs all it took, and my baby boy was born! I DID IT. I had my baby, epidural free, with intervention!
I was so proud of myself, and the relief I felt after having him was immediate. It was such a beautiful experience. There is still some lingering disappointment with having to be induced again, but I am so happy that I got to have the birth I had hoped for with the care and support of Quilted Health and cannot thank them enough for being there for me through it all."
