Emily Cook hoped for a low-intervention birth. But after managing high blood pressure throughout her pregnancy, her plans changed when she was diagnosed with preeclampsia late in her third trimester.
In this episode, Emily shares how the EBB Childbirth Class helped her prepare to navigate an unexpected induction, magnesium therapy, and an epidural while still advocating for the birth experience she wanted. She talks about asking questions, requesting a lower-dose epidural so she could remain mobile, advocating for wireless fetal monitoring and hands-and-knees pushing, and finding confidence in making informed decisions even when things didn't go as planned.
Emily also reflects on the emotional realities of postpartum, from recovering after preeclampsia and establishing breastfeeding to navigating grief after the unexpected loss of her grandmother just weeks after giving birth. Her story is a reminder that birth is only one part of the transition to parenthood, and that caring for the birthing parent is just as important as caring for the baby.
(02:04) How Emily Found EBB
(04:29) Her Original Birth Plan and Adapting to Preeclampsia
(07:36) Advocating for Individualized Care During Labor
(09:22) High Blood Pressure, Triage, and Preeclampsia Diagnosis
(15:03) Induction Begins
(20:08) Magnesium Drip and Feeling "Tethered" During Labor
(25:57) Comfort Measures and Movement
(29:07) Pushing on Hands and Knees and Meeting Her Baby
(35:57) Postpartum Recovery and Continued Monitoring
(40:47) Recovering from Preeclampsia
(42:06) Grief and Postpartum
(49:06) Emily's Advice for Expecting Parents
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