PROM | induction | back labor | involuntary pushing | first time mom

Let’s dive into my positive birth experience with epidural-free induced labor as a first-time mom — and why I got an epidural after all! I gave birth with midwives in a hospital in NYC.

I hoped to have a natural, intervention-free birth, but after premature rupture of membranes (PROM), I got to experience twelve hours of Pitocin induction with NO epidural. Then, I experienced terrifying involuntary pushing during labor (aka the fetal ejection reflex). I dive into WHY and WHEN to get an epidural — and how it can help you avoid a C-Section!

I had an AMAZING and TRANSFORMATIVE first birth experience, despite early water breaking, an allergic reaction during labor, and a sunny-side up baby. I used hypnobirthing, spinning babies, massage and acupuncture to get through contractions almost pain-free (except in my back).

I hope this story gives you some inspiration if you're doing an induced birth and want to avoid an induction.

0:00 Introduction

01:10 My No-Epidural Birth Plan

05:30 Early Water Breaking - Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

10:44 Naturally labor induction: Acupuncture, Massage, Castor Oil, Breast Pumping, Herbs, Sex

14:13 Pitocin Induction at the NYC Hospital with Midwives

20:49 How I Got Through Contractions Almost Pain Free

22:05 My experience with Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) during birth

22:41 The involuntary pushing urge (or fetal ejection reflex) at 5cm dilation

27:18 How an epidural helped me avoid a C-Section

28:55 My contractions spaced out on an epidural

36:23 Pushing

37:51 Welcome to the world, A!

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Emi Nietfeld

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Yiren Lu

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