EBB Childbirth Class Graduates Paige Wener and Kevin Booth hoped for a low-intervention water birth at their midwife-led birth center in rural Vermont. But at 38 weeks and 6 days, a routine prenatal visit led to a surprise diagnosis of preeclampsia and recommendation for induction.

In this episode, Paige and Kevin share the story of their 54-hour induction, including misoprostol, a Cook catheter, Pitocin, and eventually an epidural after more than a day of labor, with Kevin supporting Paige with counterpressure, movement, and comfort measures along the way. Paige also shares about recovering from a rare postpartum complication, temporary nerve damage that caused foot drop, and how rest and supportive care helped her heal.

(03:26) Taking the EBB Childbirth Class together (07:33) Birth preferences and planning for a water birth (10:50) High blood pressure at a prenatal visit and preeclampsia diagnosis (15:01) Preparing to return for an induction (18:56) Induction begins with misoprostol (21:45) Adding the Cook catheter and overnight labor (27:35) Starting Pitocin and continuing labor support techniques (29:45) Comfort measures and partner support during labor (34:00) Trying Nubain and deciding on an epidural (41:07) Pushing phase and position changes (45:33) Immediate postpartum and first breastfeeding (47:28) Early postpartum recovery in the hospital (49:11) Discovering postpartum nerve injury (55:34) Advice for birth partners (58:51) Postpartum advice and safe sleep resources

Resources

EBB 194 – Nutrition and Real Food in Pregnancy with Lily Nichols RDN

EBB 365 – Battling a Birth Injury with Leah Van Dale, Former WWE Wrestler and EBB Childbirth Class Graduate

Get in touch with Paige and Kevin's EBB Instructor, Lucy Paradiso: lucyparadiso-doula.com/

Learn more about Spinning Babies: spinningbabies.com/

Check out Paige's safe sleep resources:

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.