I lost consciousness at work and was admitted to the ER. A nurse had witnessed me falling on my stomach and Face. My blood pressure was taken. My sugar was taken, and a Doppler was used to hear the fetal heart rate. Everything was normal fetal heart rate was a little high. I text my midwife Cindy to inform her of what happened to keep her updated throughout the day.
Due to the lack of a labor and delivery department at my workplace hospital. I was transferred to another hospital for further evaluation. At 36 weeks pregnant, the medical team diagnosed me with preterm labor and recommended a four-hour monitoring period. When the OB/GYN returned she looked over the ultrasound and examined me to see how far I was dilated, she told me that she considered me to stay for 24-hour monitoring. I called Cindy and she spoke to the OB/GYN. I made it clear to the medical staff that I would only consent to necessary interventions if deemed crucial and in consultation with Cindy. That meant no cervical checks, no medication, and no induction. I stay in the labor delivery unit for 24 hours. During this time, I was very frustrated because what they were telling me did not correlate with how I felt. I was asked about my contractions that I didn’t feel but the numbers dictated that they were strong. My contractions were regular and my fetal heart rate was within normal range. I made sure I ate every meal drank plenty of water and used the restroom as much as possible. However, the continuous monitoring and discomfort caused by the hospital environment left me unsettled. I was awakened out of my sleep because of something that was not in my control such as the hospital bed I was laying on and the position of the monitoring devices on my belly. Every few hours they will come in and put cold gel and reposition the monitors.
That morning, I met with the OB/GYN and she checked my cervix to see if I dilated. She requested that I stay another hour and I asked on what grounds should I have to stay.
She told me every contraction that I had made the fetal heart rate “dip”. I told her dip is not a medical term. So I asked what was the dip and what is considered a normal fetal heart rate. She said in between 110 and 160. The baby’s baseline for heart rate was 160 but during a contraction, it dipped to 140.
Second monitoring they said the heart rate was 155-150 and during a contraction, it showed a “dip” of 130.
Despite concerns raised by the medical team, I sought reassurance from Cindy and chose to prioritize my intuition and well-being.
I asked was the fetus in any distress they said no.
I asked was there any concerns during my 24-hour monitoring. They said no.
I called Cindy to inform her I was leaving the hospital.
Eleven days later, Akosua was born at home on her time and her terms. The journey from the hospital scare to a peaceful home birth highlighted the importance of listening to my innate wisdom.