My Journey of Motherhood: A Glimpse into My Birth Experience at Weil Cornell 🌟

Can you believe my baby is already over four months old? Time truly flies! As a new mom, I wanted to take a moment to document the beautiful journey of giving birth. Here’s a peek into what the experience was like for me at one of the most renowned hospitals in the USA: Weil Cornell in New York City.

Choosing the Right Hospital and OB 🤰🏽

When it comes to choosing a hospital, Weil Cornell is a top-tier facility that is well-regarded and widely recognized. Its state-of-the-art services make it one of the best options in New York. After testing positive for pregnancy (at about five weeks), I promptly called to book my appointment with Dr. Jin, but unfortunately, he was fully booked. Instead, I ended up with Dr. Wu, and I couldn’t have been happier with my experience. I highly recommend him!

One thing to note is that at Weil Cornell, the OBs work in a group system. This means that during a natural delivery, the OB who is on duty that day will attend to you. While I understand that many parents might prefer a specific doctor, I personally felt comfortable knowing that I was in capable hands, regardless of which physician delivered my baby.

The Day of My Water Breaking and Irregular Contractions 🚨

It was the day I had marked for starting my maternity leave—39 weeks pregnant. And as if my baby understood that, I awoke around 10 AM feeling a sensation that something was amiss. It felt like a leaky faucet, and soon I realized that my water had broken. At this point, I hadn’t experienced regular contractions yet. Following my doctor’s advice, I called the clinic, and after confirming my condition, they told me it was time to head to the hospital.

Feeling relaxed, I asked if I could still take a shower and eat before leaving. The nurse reassured me that there was no need to rush, as my amniotic fluid wouldn’t all come out at once. She advised me that arriving within three to four hours would be just fine. So, if your water breaks, remember to stay calm! Not everyone needs an emergency ride to the hospital.

Checking into the Hospital and the Labor Process 🏥

I arrived at the hospital around 2 PM, and upon checking in (p4), the nursing staff assessed my blood pressure since I wasn’t experiencing painful contractions. I was instructed to wait in the lobby until about 4 PM when I was finally taken to the labor room for fetal heart monitoring. At 4:30 PM, I received my first dose of pitocin, which is used to induce labor. The internal check revealed I was already 2 cm dilated, which made me relieved since just a week prior, I was only at 1.5 cm.

As the pitocin began taking effect, I started feeling contractions about every 4-5 minutes, which were manageable. The wonderful nurse by my side informed me that I could call for the anesthesiologist at any time to get an epidural—a true lifesaver for many expecting mothers.

Seeking Relief: The Epidural Experience 🙌

By midnight, I began to feel the contractions more intensely, resembling menstrual cramps. Though I could handle the pain, I decided to opt for the epidural to make the rest of my labor more comfortable.

At 1 AM, the epidural was administered, and I felt instant relief. It was such a blessing to finally be free of any discomfort! At this point, I was dilated to 3-4 cm and ready to get some rest before my baby arrived.

To Be Continued… #MyNaturalBirthDiary #WeilCornell 📖

This is just the beginning of my incredible journey. Stay tuned for more details as I share the next chapters of my motherhood experience and how it unfolded beautifully at Weil Cornell!

Summary

This post chronicled my experiences leading up to the labor of my baby at Weil Cornell, a prestigious hospital in New York City. From choosing the right OB to my water breaking and the labor process, the journey has been a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. I look forward to sharing more about my journey ahead, so stay tuned!