87-Genesis Holguin-1 Birth-Cesarean-Giovanni

Description: Genesis dives into the details of what it was like to find out that her son had an atypical result on the Non-Invasive Paternal Testing (NIPT), which is a genetic test that screens cell-free fetal DNA for certain genetic conditions. Then she goes into the details of the induction that led to the birth of her baby boy, Giovanni. 

birthasweknowitpodcast.com/87

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only, with no intention of giving or replacing any medical advice. I, Kiona Nessenbaum, am not a licensed medical professional. All advice that is given on the podcast is from the personal experience of the storytellers. All medical or health-related questions should be directed to your licensed provider.  

Want to hear another birth story? Tune in to 65-Angela Roberts-IVF-Miscarriage-Cesarean-Endometriosis-Preeclampsia-HELLP-Micro Preemie-NICU-Bennett

Resources:

• Turner Syndrome
• Klinefelter Syndrome
• Jacobsen Syndrome 
• Postpartum Rage
• Tripple Feeding

Transcript

Intro: 0:08

Welcome to Birth As We Know It, a podcast that is dedicated to recognizing the many different ways that birth unfolds. I am your host, Kiona Nessenbaum. I have experienced birth as a doula, a student midwife, a birth assistant, and as a mother of three amazing children of my own. After attending over 140 births, I've realized that each birth experience is truly unique. So make sure you subscribe and join me as we are guided through many different birth experiences through the lens of the storyteller. Please be aware that some of these stories can be triggering to hear. So feel free to pause, take a breath, and come back and listen whenever you're ready. With that said, let's prep ourselves to dive deep and get detailed about what really happens in the birth space.

Disclaimer: 1:05

As a reminder, this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and has no intention of giving or replacing any medical advice. All advice that is given on the podcast is from the personal experiences of the storytellers. All medical or health-related questions should directed to your licensed provider.

Doula CTA: 1:26

Before we dive into this episode today, I have an exciting announcement. Your girl, Kiona Nessenbaum, is back in the birth space as a birth doula. So if you are local to the greater Seattle area and in need of some birth doula support, please reach out. I would love to support you as you transition into parenthood. To learn more about this service, you can go to birth as we know at podcast.com forward slash doula. Another service that I'm offering is called labor prep from a doula perspective. Now this can be done virtually or in person. So it's also available to those that are not local to the greater Seattle area. What this is, is a two hour info session where you and I connect and talk about the best ways to prep for your labor and to inform you of what your options are. We also touch on how you can cope throughout labor, how partners can support you as you are laboring, and we touch on postpartum. So if you want to learn more about this service, go to birthasweknowitpodcast.com forward slash labor prep. All right, let's dive into this episode.

Kiona: 2:31

Hello, everybody, and welcome back to the birth as we know it podcast. Today, I'm excited to have on Genesis Olgin She is here to talk to us today about the birth of her son, Giovanni. So welcome, Genesis. Thank you so much for coming on

Genesis: 2:44

Thank you for having

Kiona: 2:45

Yes, I'm so excited excited to just dive into this. And we're just going to dive right into the very beginning. So talk to me about what the conception process is like with Giovanni.

Genesis: 2:56

Yeah, me and my had spent a year apart prior to getting pregnant. My husband's in the Space Force. So he was overseas in Qatar. And I was in Colorado, living with my in-laws during that time. we had discussion if we wanted to have kids when he came back or not and when he came back, I already been off birth control. So we were like, well, if it happens, it happens. So be And it happened right away. So he came back mid-December, And I found out I was pregnant like January 3rd. it was funny, because I feel like he already knew I was pregnant, because we were going to a bunch of sporting events. And each time we would go to a sporting event, I was needing to use the bathroom. And he made a comment like, how am I supposed travel to California. Cause we were getting ready to move to California. And he's like, how are you supposed to travel to California? If you keep using the bathroom, like you're peeing so much. And he's like, I can't even imagine you being pregnant and having to pee, not knowing I was actually pregnant. once he made that comment, I was like, huh? Like I haven't started my period. And I was like, you know what? I'm just going to give it like two more days. If I don't start it in two more days, I'm going to take a cause I would track my period and, I was late, but I was like, uh, sometimes it like ranges. then one morning I woke up and I was I still haven't gotten it. And my husband was still asleep. so I told him, Hey, I'm going to go get a Starbucks. And he was like, Oh yeah. give me this drink. And I was like, okay. But in reality, I like went to go get a pregnancy test. Cause I had pregnancy tests, but it had the line strips and I, the line was so faint. didn't know to believe it or not. So I was like, I need one that says pregnant. so I went to the store I like felt so embarrassed because they have them locked up. So I'm like, can I get a pregnancy test? so I get the Starbucks, of course, go home, take the pregnancy test. And sure enough, it says pregnant. And I'm like, Oh my goodness. Like, how am I going to tell him? so later on that day, he was asking me about like our finances and like paying off a car. Cause we had just bought a brand new car the week before. And he was like, she just like paid off. Like we have enough. And I was like, hold on. And so, I told him and he was like, ah, now I know why you're telling me to hold on. and he made me take like three more pregnancy tests cause he could not believe and since we're military, I have to go onto base to get, a pregnancy test to confirm that I'm pregnant so I could get a referral and at that time we were in Colorado. So we went onto the base. I got the pregnancy test, confirmed it but I also had to let them know that we were moving to California to a different base and the base that we were moving didn't have an OB clinic on base. So I knew I would have to go off base. So. I requested them to take me off base. They asked me if I knew what OB I wanted to go to. I told them no, cause I didn't, know what to look for. I didn't know what to research. So I was just like, Hey, I'm pregnant. I'm happy Send me to wherever you need me to go. come into California. we road tripped And so the like road trip was so horrible because I was so sick, but like, I couldn't just like be passenger princess and sleep. I had to And so we finally make it to California and the movers are there like an hour after we had just gotten the keys to the house. and they have a list of items that you're like needing to check off. They're like, you need to make sure that we have every box. And I am so sick. I'm like, I cannot do this. But my husband's like, you need to do it. To this day, we're pretty sure we're missing some stuff. but yeah, that's, that's basically how we like found out we were pregnant.

Kiona: 7:23

Yeah, that is so interesting, because especially with being a military family, there's always something going on. There's always a move. There's always a deployment. There's always some kind of thing, like some loophole that you have to jump through to get what you need. So I think that sounds so incredibly challenging to have to go on a road trip while being at that stage in your pregnancy because of that motion sickness, morning sickness, like aversions, and also just wanting to sleep. Fatigue is a huge first trimester symptom. So, I do not envy you for that journey that you had to take. That sounds very, very intense. So you made it to California. Everything is good and dandy. When did you first see your OB?

Genesis: 8:17

I was, going to be nine weeks. We had went to a community health clinic in town. That's where they sent me to. And they told me I would be seeing three different OBs. They would be on like on rotation because they didn't know who was going to be on call when I would be giving birth. And my husband right away did not like the clinic

Kiona: 8:42

Hmm.

Genesis: 8:42

just because they didn't want him in the room during appointments.

Kiona: 8:46

Hmm.

Genesis: 8:47

And

Kiona: 8:47

Hmm.

Genesis: 8:48

then we would get there on time. they would take like an hour to get us back and, I understand. It's a community health center. servicing a huge group of people. So they're constantly busy. And it was just overall frustrating because we were trying to work around my work schedule and his work And. he was telling me, you need to switch. And I was like, no, it's fine. So we did the first ultrasound. that's when it felt real. we're definitely pregnant. then we went in a second time. I was going to be, I think I was like one day from being 12 weeks. And at this ultrasound, they check the fluid in the back of the baby's neck. And I love the ultrasound technician at that clinic though. Cause she was so informative. I was educating my husband on like what was going on. And I, I loved that about her. and then I also at that I opted to do the genetic testing. They did the blood draw for the genetic testing. and they let me know, you'll get the results before your next appointment, but do not, open it if you do not want to know the gender of your baby. So I was like, yeah, I don't want to know the gender of my baby. And. in between my that appointment, my, my next appointment, we were going to go to Colorado for a friend's wedding. So we ended up going to Colorado for the wedding and, during the reception, I get the email that the results are in. And so I look at my husband, like the results are in. and my friend, I told her, Hey, can you check the results for us? You just want to know that the baby's healthy. We do not want to know the gender. So you're going to be the only person that knows the gender.

Kiona: 10:39

Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 10:39

And she's like, okay. So she's looking at these results and I see just confusion in her face and I'm like, what's going on? She's like, they couldn't determine the sex of your baby. And I was like, oh, like I hear that happens all the time. Like, I'm not too worried about it. But I was like, does everything else look good? And she's like, well, it says that there's like an atypical result on the X chromosome. And I was just like, hmm. that is just a red flag on the result saying like atypical result X chromosome. And then like lower down, it says no result. And so my other friend at the wedding, she was going on to her third trimester. And she had told me, well, some of my genetic testing came back with no results. They told me that's normal. That's fine. you don't need to worry about it. And I was like, okay. So like,I was just trying to enjoy the rest of the wedding, but. deep down, I knew like something was not right. But then my friend like was reassuring me if something is not right, your OB will call you. And I was like, yeah, you're right. You are completely right. after the wedding, my husband, he has to go on TDY, which is basically a work trip for the military. And this work trip's a month long. So I ended up staying an extra week in Colorado with family. And then I flew back to California by myself because the following day I had a doctor's appointment. So at this doctor's appointment, I go in by myself and, the doctor says, hey, we're sending you to a genetic counselor. And I said, why? And she explains to me there was an atypical result on the X chromosome. and something is not okay with your baby.And so she proceeds to hand me over a journal article that's like almost 30 pages long. It's thick. And she's like, this is what's wrong with your baby. And I'm like, okay. And I asked her, I was like, how accurate are these results? I remember her saying like 99% And I'm like, okay. And she's like, we're going to send you to the local hospital to talk to a genetic counselor. apparently during this whole thing, I'm like, why didn't anybody me that this was happening? Like my results have been in for like two weeks and, she tells me, well, don't you have access to your test results? I was like, yeah, but I was told that to not open them because, they didn't want me to know the gender. And had a friend look at them and she's like, well, then you should have known what was wrong with them. And I told her, I was like, well, how am I supposed to know? I can't interpret medical results That's profession. And she proceeds to tell me why didn't you get a call? I was like, nobody from the clinic called me. so at this point there's two nurses coming into the room trying to figure out if they're going to send me to the, local hospital because I have TRICARE and TRICARE does not cover genetic counselors. so they're trying to figure out if they're going to send me to that hospital then they're going to try to send me to a hospital the next time over. And they're, they're like, no, they will also not cover it. So then they were like, okay, let's send you over to LA, a hospital in LA. cause apparently the OB had worked at the hospital. So she was telling me, I worked with them. I'm pretty sure that They'll have the insurance cover it. And I was like, okay. sounds good. I told her if something's wrong with my baby, I know that me and my husband have talked about termination. So I told her, I was like, that might be something that we might do and consider depending what the results are, what, what is wrong with the baby. she goes, well, most likely you will need an Amnio. And I didn't, at that point, I didn't know what an Amnio was. So, She told me about it and I told her, well, my husband's gone. So if I get an Amnio, am I going to be able to drive by myself? She's like, oh no, like you're going to have to probably stay there. You're probably going to have to get a hotel and everything. And I'm like, okay. she's like, I'll work with your insurance. I'll call them. I was like, perfect. Thank you. then like later on that week, the local hospital calls me and they're like, yeah, the your OB had already sent over a referral. So we're just following up, seeing if you do want to see us or not. And I told them, I was explaining to them the whole situation about the insurance, not covering it. they informed me that, yeah, the insurance won't cover for the genetic counselor. so it would be out of pocket and it would be like $250. So I was like, well,$250, I'm going to be spending that on like going down to LA, getting a during that phone call, I just like made the decision of like making an appointment with them. I'm going to pay out of pocket. then they were telling me, well, we could get you scheduled in like two or three weeks out. And I was like, no, like I need to be scheduled by someone like this week, because if I'm thinking about terminating, this pregnancy, depending what they tell me, I do not want to start feeling the baby move.

Kiona: 15:58

Mm.

Genesis: 15:59

And I think at this point I was 15, 16 weeks.

Kiona: 16:03

Um,

Genesis: 16:05

and, that, um, receptionist, she was so kind. she got ahold of one of the genetic counselors and, I did tell her about my situation of like my husband not being there. so she got a genetic counselor to with me like that week later on that week and do a video call so that my husband could also attend that call. I was so grateful for her for doing that. so we met with a genetic counselor and, when we got the results, we still didn't know if I were going to have a boy or a girl. the journal article, what we basically found out was if it was going to be a she would have turners and turners, there's a 2% survival rate. and usually from what I read from the article, it is believed that most miscarriages that happen in the first trimesters is because it could have been a result of a, baby that had turners. so turners affects females. and then if we were to have a boy he would either have Klinefelters or Jacobsen's and Jacobsen's from what I understood from the journal article was that they have difficulties with their heart. L their heart doesn't develop, as it should. then what Klinfelters, they would have, XXY chromosome they have more feminine features. So many males that have Klinefelters don't realize that they have it until puberty or until they try to have kids because they're infertile. whereas, individuals that have Jacobsen's they have YYX chromosome. since they have the extra Y, they're a little bit more aggressive per the article so me and my husband were like, okay, if it's a girl, I'm probably going to terminate because don't want have a late miscarriage or even a stillborn. if it's a boy, I think we can manage. I don't know. I think we could, we could do it. And so, I went to those ultrasound technicians that they practice. And they do, like, the gender reveal and everything. Well, I just wanted to know what the gender was right away. And that's how we found out that we were having a boy. So, we went to the genetic counselor. She confirmed everything that the journal article stated. And we informed we found out that we're having a boy. And if we're having a boy, we're okay going on with this pregnancy. And we do not want the Amnio. she's like, okay, well, she's like, what I would suggest is redo the test. with a different lab, a lab that she works with. And I was like, okay, I could do that. But she said that it would be out of pocket because we had already done it. And insurance won't do it again. I said, that's completely fine. But the lab that she sent me to was nice because they do, like, a discount program. For women that are redoing their genetic testing. And so, I went in. I did that. And the results were in, like, within, like, four or five days. these results were saying that everything was completely okay with the baby. So, I was like, oh, yeah. Like, heck, yeah. Like, we're definitely not doing the Amnio now. the genetic counselor said, yeah, but this is still just a screening. Like, this isn't 100% certainty. And I told her, that's completely fine. But, while I'm going through all of this, I'm now realizing I do not like my OB. And I'm wanting to switch OBs. in the military world, like, women talk and they're like, oh, no, this is who to go to. now I'm asking my husband and, like, my husband's asking his unit, where should my wife go to? And they're like, oh, my wife, she went to this OB, she went to this OB. Everyone went to the same OB and that OB was closing.

Kiona: 20:02

Oh, no.

Genesis: 20:03

So, I had to find a different OB. my husband's, one of his co-workers was my wife actually went to a different OB. it's out of town. I was like, I don't care. Just get me somewhere that I want, like, a different OB. she ended up sitting down with me and just, like, talking to me about her OB and was telling me he's very informative, but not bubbly at all. So, if you're okay with that, he's good. And I was please, just, I don't care if he's a grouch. I just need someone that cares about my health. Because at this point with current OB, I had informed her that I had seen the genetic counselor at the local hospital because she had called me. And she was pissed. So mad. She told me, I would have not recommended going to that genetic counselor. And I told her, well, like, the referral was already in. I was going to spend the money, same amount of money going to LA. So, I just decided to go here. And they recommended me to redo the test at a different lab. Oh, I wouldn't have done that. And I told her, I understand. But she is a And I am doing what she recommends. And my OB was so mad, she hung up the phone. I'm pregnant. So, I'm like, oh, you're crying.

Kiona: 21:39

Right.

Genesis: 21:40

my husband's still gone. so, the nurses the hospital, I'm trying to tell them, like, hey, my results for this next genetic test, send them to this other OB. I'm in the middle of, like, transferring all my records. But I'm not, like, officially their patient yet. But they need all my records so that they could approve me to be a patient. And they're like, oh, did you let your current OB know that you're switching? I told them, no, not yet. And the nurse said, I probably shouldn't be telling you this. But do not let your current OB's office know that you are switching. I was like, why? She's like, because they have a reputation of once you let them know that you're switching OBs, they will treat you differently because not everybody gets approved by another OB, so they have to continue treatment there. So I said, okay, awesome, Good to know. I got my medical records for my OB, I just let them know that I wanted them for my own records. then the new OB approved me. I was so happy. And I just had one more appointment with my current OB. And at this point, my husband was home for one week before he had to go on another month-long work trip. So he went with me to this appointment. And I, it's like, they're, they told me that they would rotate me OBs. But at this point, they're keeping me with the same OB. And like, this lady, I'm having it with she tells me, I would still do the Amnio. She's like pushing really hard to do the Amnio. And I said, I'm not doing it. Just drop it. And she said, well, you know, the test that the genetic testing that we did, the lab that we use, and I believe the lab that they use was the Tara. And she said, the lab that we use, they, every OB in California uses it. And California is like the number one populated state in the U. And I told her, well, yeah, duh. It's like the biggest state. Like, of course it is. Like, she's like our state has the, like the number one births. And I was like, yeah, because it's heavy. It's like really populated. Of course it's going to have a lot of births. she's like really pushing for this amyot. And I kept telling her, like, no matter what the results are, we are moving forward with this pregnancy. And, I was just like so frustrated. And she's like, well, you know, once the baby's born, insurance isn't going to pay to test like your baby's chromosomes and blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, okay, I told you already. I'm not doing me and my husband leave the clinic. We don't even stop at the receptionist to check out. We're just like, we're done leaving. And then my husband had to go leave on his work trip. I have my first appointment with my new OB and my new OB, he sits me down. He introduces himself and he asked me what's going on with like, your previous OB what was going on with that situation and what's going on with the genetic testing and how you're wanting to move forward. And I told them, I don't want to do the Amnio. I'm going to be moving forward with this pregnancy and I just want to be respected in my care. And surprised, I was really surprised he asked what was my birth plan. And at that point, I was so wound up with, this, the genetic testing. I was just like, I remember telling them, I just want to survive.

Kiona: 25:31

Yeah.

Genesis: 25:32

This point,

Kiona: 25:33

Yeah.

Genesis: 25:34

I was like so exhausted with these like genetic testing results and going into labs, doi this. There were so many phone calls involved and it was, I think the whole ordeal took like over a month. And, at this point I'm like in the middle of my second trimester.

Kiona: 25:50

Yeah.

Genesis: 25:51

and he just told me, I respect your decision. I don't think you need to do an amyot. And I believe you're having a healthy baby boy. So let's just keep going with this pregnancy and make sure that you and baby are doing good. And I believe at this point, I was about to have my, my anatomy scan. So I go into my anatomy scan I am just like looking at the lady, like, please tell me everything's okay. my baby's moving like crazy. She is not wanting to stay still. so she's having like the hardest time. I was there for an hour and a half because like they're trying to get the images that they needed for him. finally, when they, he like calmed down and was like, still, he got himself in a position where they're like, he's in the wrong position.

Kiona: 26:46

Oh.

Genesis: 26:49

I was like, okay. So then they had me move. And I was like, oh my God, I cannot believe this is happening. they told me everything looks good. And the doctor told me, do you want to do an amnio? And I told her, no, I'm not doing an amnio. I'm going to move on with this pregnancy, no matter what. And she said, okay. I agree with you. There's no point of putting you at if you're just going to move forward with this pregnancy, it was like, perfect. Good moving forward. Um, but she and my OB did want me to do a growth scan at 30 weeks, just to make sure everything was still okay, developing. Okay. So I'm moving forward with my pregnancy. Um, at this point, my husband has come back and, then my growth scan appointment comes up and I'm jitters. I'm just like, I, I'm hope everything's okay. And during this whole experience, we have not told family. We haven't really told any friends. And so it's just like me and my husband going through this basically all alone.

Kiona: 27:59

Right.

Genesis: 27:59

And my husband was gone for most of my pregnancy. I work from home. So like, I literally had nobody. We had just moved to the area. So even though I had met some military spouses, I wasn't close with them, but several of them knew what was going on, especially since my husband had to like, tell his supervisor, like, Hey, like Genesis is going through this. Um, I might want to come home. And his supervisor was super nice and was like, if you need to come home early from this work trip, you can like, we'll try to figure everything out. And he was the, uh, the husband of the wife that referred me to the

Kiona: 28:44

Hmm.

Genesis: 28:45

my OB that I loved. So, and they were super nice. Like I remember her sitting down with me, just like talking to me. And then there was like other military spouses that were telling me like, I could go to appointments with you.

Kiona: 28:58

Oh, that's so

Genesis: 28:59

And,

Kiona: 28:59

nice.

Genesis: 29:00

It was so nice. But I was like, I do not know you like

Kiona: 29:02

that

Genesis: 29:04

to be comfortable, to come with me to those appointments. Um, just because like, I was crying basically after every appointment. my husband would ask me, how did these appointments go? Like, what was this appointment like? And he's like, why didn't you ask these questions? Why didn't you ask this? Why didn't you tell him this? And I'm like, I don't think you understand that. Like when you're your brain does not work the same.

Kiona: 29:30

Right.

Genesis: 29:31

I remember like when my, Oh, my first OB told me he were going to have to send you to the gender counselor. I was just, I don't know what's happening. And my husband was like, well, why didn't you like speak up? Why didn't you tell him that you weren't, you didn't want to drive to LA. And I don't, I didn't know. Like I was just like, at that moment, I was like still trying to process everything that they were telling me. And I don't think that any man will ever understand.

Kiona: 30:02

No. Yeah. No, they can try as, as hard as they can, but they will truly not understand that it is literally in our biology. Like it shifts and changes our brain. There's more gray space in our brain when we're pregnant and it's just like pregnancy brain is a real thing. So.

Genesis: 30:20

Yeah.

Kiona: 30:21

Yeah.

Genesis: 30:22

Literally. And so, yeah, I was just at this point at my like third trimester going into the growth scan, we found out everything still looks good. Like awesome. That made me so happy. and now my OB is telling me, how do you want your birth to go?

Kiona: 30:47

I love this guy.

Genesis: 30:48

Yeah. He was amazing.

Kiona: 30:50

Yeah.

Genesis: 30:51

I always thought I would not go to a male OB and. My doctor changed my mind.

Kiona: 30:59

Yeah.

Genesis: 31:00

He was so great. the practice that he works in, it's a family practice. So it's him and his dad.

Kiona: 31:06

Hmm.

Genesis: 31:07

I had some appointments with his dad, but it was mainly, um, with the son and he like, he told me, okay, I know that you're concerned about, son's chromosome still. He, so he told me once you get to the hospital, let them know that you are wanting to chromosome testing on the abilical cord blood for your son. So they, they know what test order. He's like, so when I deliver your baby, I know to collect the blood. He's like, I'll collect it, but they're the ones that are going to have to order the test because I'm your doctor. Once your baby's born, he has his own set of doctors. at this point we're taking birthing classes. I'm just like, I'm trying to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy. Like, kind of feel like more reassured that like ultrasounds are coming good. So, at this I just need to have him and I just need to meet him. So, um, I think I was like in my, I think 32, 33 weeks. And at this point I'm going through like weekly appointments to my OB and for three weeks straight, my blood pressure was high. And so he started to get concerned because I think the first two times I had the appointment with his dad and his dad was like telling me, um, his dad was really nice, but he was my favorite. He's, he was very like old, like old school. Um, I'm pretty sure he's like ready to retire.

Kiona: 32:48

Yeah.

Genesis: 32:48

He's just like, you know, I'm just getting through, through each day.

Kiona: 32:54

Right.

Genesis: 32:54

And so he sees I have high blood pressure, but he still checks like, are you swollen? Like asking me all the questions to see if I have preeclampsia and everything's no, no, no, no, no, no. And then my third appointment, I'm seeing my, my OB, the son. And he tells me, he's like, okay, at each appointment, we take your blood pressure multiple times because you struggle to get your blood pressure down. And he's like, but these last three appointments, you have not after several takes. so he goes, I am going to send you to the hospital right now to do a non-stress test. Um, um, we are going to schedule you for an adduction next week.

Kiona: 33:39

Hmm.

Genesis: 33:40

And my head, I was like, so if the baby does not pass the, the non-stress test, I get induced. And if the baby does pass, then I don't get a juice. He's like, no, you're getting induced either way.

Kiona: 33:53

Oh,

Genesis: 33:54

I

Kiona: 33:55

okay.

Genesis: 33:55

was like, oh my God, no. And, um, you know, I, and it's a day where I'm working. Like I made this appointment during my lunch hour.

Kiona: 34:04

Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 34:04

Then after that, I had to go, like call my boss and be like, yeah, I'm not, I'm not continuing the work day. Like I'm going to the hospital. And I call my husband and my husband's at work. And my husband at that time worked in a building where if he was in one area of the building, he couldn't have a cell phone with him. So I call his cell phone. He's not answering, but he gave me his work number. So I call his work number and he said, the moment he heard that phone ring, he knew it was me because nobody calls that phone number.

Kiona: 34:35

Hmm.

Genesis: 34:36

And, and he knew I had a doctor's appointment. So he was like panicked.

Kiona: 34:41

Right.

Genesis: 34:41

And, um, he calls me back. And during this time, I'm also like calling like our other friend that lives on base. And it's like, your husband works in the other building next to my husband. Like, can you like try to communicate that? But she also didn't answer. So I was like, okay, you know what? Forget this. Like, I'm just going to go to the hospital and

Kiona: 35:05

Yeah.

Genesis: 35:06

figure this out. And at this point, I don't even really have hospital It's packed. We don't even, I

Kiona: 35:13

we

Genesis: 35:13

think had barely put in the car seat, but it wasn't like properly installed yet.

Kiona: 35:18

Right.

Genesis: 35:20

Yeah. It was, it was a mess. And so I, my husband finally calls me back. I'm like five minutes away from the hospital and I'm like, yeah, I'm going to do a non-stress test, but I'm going to get induced next week. And he is not comprehending that if I don't pass the non-stress test that I'm going to get induced today. He's just like, oh, okay, well, I'll just figure some stuff out with work. I'll go see who could take on my tasks. Like, oh, like, yeah, like, that's quick. That's, like, way quicker than I expected because I'm 36 weeks at this point. my OB is like, next week you'll be 37 weeks. That's, like, as soon as I want you to have this baby. So my husband's like, oh, man, I'm going to have to shift my parental leave. So I get to the hospital. I pass the non-stress test really quick. So, but then they're like, yeah, you're going to come back in next Friday and you're going to get induced. And I was like, okay. So I contact work and I'm like, okay, I'm going to get induced. Like, so I'm getting everything ready. And, you know, next Friday comes and I had such a hard time. Going to the hospital. Because, so the hospital was, like, 45 minutes away from our house. And I kept telling my husband, oh, my God. I was kind of grieving us.

Kiona: 36:47

Yeah.

Genesis: 36:47

And he was just like, why are you grieving? you should be excited. You should be happy. And I had no idea why I felt those emotions, but. on our way to the hospital, there's a beach. And this beach, we took all of our friends and during my pregnancy. I told them, I was like, I want to go to the beach. I want to go have brunch at our favorite brunch place there and, like, have brunch on the beach. And so that's what we did. And on the way to the hospital, I'm, like, crying. I'm, like, oh, my God. Like, this is the last time it's just going to be us, too. And he's, like, you're being dramatic. we get to the hospital. They attend me. my OB the day before had checked if I was dilated. I was not dilated whatsoever. And so they start off by giving me to ripen up the cervix. that medication, they told me that I would have to have placed near my cervix for 12 hours. after that, another 12 hours. And since I came in on a my OB, the son, was not on call on the weekends. It was his dad that was on call. And so I was, like, oh, my God. If I have this baby this weekend, it's going to be him delivering it. And, like, I was not. I should have told my OB that I wanted him to deliver my baby. But I also did not want to be the patient that's, like, I do not want to see your dad.

Kiona: 38:21

I

Genesis: 38:21

And so was, like, okay. I have confidence in his dad. He's a professional. I've had appointments with him. I know him. I could talk to him. I know he'll hear me out. I get two rounds of the cervidil. It's not working. So the OB was, like, his, the dad was telling the nurse, okay, give her this oral medication to ripen up her cervix. And so they started off with the oral medication because, like, I was, nothing was happening. Like, I was getting contractions. But, like, nothing. Like, I was not progressing.

Kiona: 38:59

Was that oral medication mesoprostol, maybe?

Genesis: 39:02

I think so.

Kiona: 39:03

Okay.

Genesis: 39:03

I'm pretty sure that sounds familiar because it's, like, the one that you take, like, every four hours.

Kiona: 39:08

Yeah. That's mesoprostol.

Genesis: 39:09

Yeah.

Kiona: 39:10

Yep.

Genesis: 39:11

Yeah. That one did absolutely nothing for me. Stopped my contractions. That stopped everything. And I was just, like, this is a walk in the park. they kept asking me, li, do you need epidural? Do you need epidural yet? Do you need, and I was, like, yeah. Like, yeah, no. And I didn't want an epidural. But they were, like, just so you know, like, the option is still there. So, I was, like, okay, that's, that's fine. they're, like, so how are you feeling? And I was, like, I feel like I have period cramps. Like, those are, like, nothing. And my husband's just, like, what the heck? Like, you're just, like, reading your Kindle. doing nothing and it's about to be sunday and i had two different nurses attend me during that weekend and these nurses both these nurses were like your blood pressure's fine like i do not know what your ob is talking one of them tells me these ob's all they want is for you to have the baby they don't care they just want you to like they don't care if this results in a c-section or not they just want you to have this baby and i was like i'm not gonna let that happen

Kiona: 40:22

right

Genesis: 40:22

like so i was like well if my blood pressure's okay do i really even need to be induced then it was sunday morning and the dad is like she you could discharge

Kiona: 40:35

wow

Genesis: 40:37

i get discharged and i tell him i was like okay well like like am i gonna progress still like since i've had all these like these interventions and they're like no like you'll slowly stop having um contractions and like they'll start feeling like period cramps and like they're like you might have like some bleeding and spotting i was like okay so i go and then like the next day on monday i call my work and i'm like i'm back at work wow

Kiona: 41:05

they're like wait what happened

Genesis: 41:07

yeah i'm like i remember like my boss being like i've never heard this happening

Kiona: 41:14

yeah that is so rare i will absolutely say that is rare once you're in the hospital for an induction it is very rare for you to be like yeah yeah it's fun it's not working to go home

Genesis: 41:26

and i realized i lost my mucus plug and i'm like i'm pretty sure i got dislodged from like all the interventions them like trying to place the cervidil near my cervix tmi but it hurt so bad the cervidil i was not ready like my body was not ready

Kiona: 41:45

hmm

Genesis: 41:46

to give birth and

Kiona: 41:48

i kind of want to dive into that a little bit more what made it was it the applicator was it the actual medication like what

Genesis: 41:59

it was the like placing

Kiona: 42:01

like

Genesis: 42:01

it placing it and removing it and i remember like because i had two doses of the cervidil the nurse the first nurse that that put it in because it's like a long string you're supposed to like wad it up but like leave a string attached like kind of like a tampon so like the you could like just remove it like a tampon well this nurse that inserted it wadded up like a big and did not leave a string and so the next nurse was like having issues getting it out and it hurt so bad and she's like i am so sorry she kept apologizing and i know it wasn't like her fault and um

Kiona: 42:52

but she's like digging

Genesis: 42:54

yeah and she's she says after after she removed it she's like you know what i'm gonna give you like an hour of a break and then i'll put in the next dose like you go take a shower get relaxed like and i was in so much pain from like them trying to remove it that my husband had help me take a shower because i was shaking so bad and he literally thought that i was gonna like pass out

Kiona: 43:23

oh

Genesis: 43:23

he's like i've never seen you like shake so bad and i at that point i couldn't tell if i was cold if it was from the pain like i just like remember shivering and just like holding on to the bars that they have like the support bars and like the showers of the hospital i was just like holding on for like to your life and my husband was just like he i couldn't bathe myself like i literally couldn't bathe myself so my husband bathed me and then they they inserted the second i was sensitive down there because like after everything that they did to me so um she made sure that there was a string so that he could easily remove it

Kiona: 44:03

right um

Genesis: 44:04

that was pretty traumatic like I remember just hating that part um and I remember them asking like if I wanted a third dose and I was like no

Kiona: 44:17

very

Genesis: 44:17

I do

Kiona: 44:18

quickly

Genesis: 44:18

not want a third dose

Kiona: 44:19

yeah

Genesis: 44:19

like I'm this is hurting and I think that medication like cervidil I didn't dilate at all at all at all and with the the oral pill I think it got me one centimeter dilated barely

Kiona: 44:37

yeah

Genesis: 44:38

and I was like oh my god I've been here for three days

Kiona: 44:41

right

Genesis: 44:42

and so when I called my OB telling them that like oh my mucus plug dislodged and I was like oh man maybe I could have like I was like kind of like excited and the reception's like okay I'll let the doctor know my OB the son was back because it was Monday and he calls me and he's like why did you leave the hospital I was like oh what your your dad said it was fine he was like I need you to go back and like have this baby he's like I'm okay with you spending like a few days at home but he's like I really need you to have this baby because I'm concerned for your health and I was like well my blood pressure was fine he's like I know that it was fine at the hospital because you were relaxed you're just laying down he's like but I know you're not doing that at home I was like okay yeah you're you're he's like I'm gonna call the hospital and see if they have room for you later on this week and I was like perfect so he calls me like a little bit later and he tells me can you come tonight at seven

Kiona: 45:46

oh

Genesis: 45:46

I'm like oh my god so I was like yeah I'm okay I'll go into night at seven I contact work again I'm like never I am gonna try to have this and I have to repack the hospital bag and then I tell one girl I was like my husband's name is the girl and I'm like am I gonna have this these big emotions driving back to the hospital again like I did the first time

Kiona: 46:13

yeah

Genesis: 46:14

I'm like trying to like control myself no you're gonna just like have to get through it so we get to the hospital and this time they're gonna try to they try to do the balloon and my OB was there because his dad isn't well experienced with the inserting the balloon

Kiona: 46:32

mm-hmm

Genesis: 46:32

he will do it but he prefers not to do it so

Kiona: 46:36

got it

Genesis: 46:36

my OB he was I'm gonna do it and it did not go it was just like painful and he was just like you are in too much pain I do not want to continue this for you and if it wasn't from stopping I probably would have been like okay try again but he was just like you're done um my husband because I my husband held my hand my my right hand and the nurse held my left hand and before the procedure happened the nurse had brought me orange juice and placed it on the table next to my husband I was in like so much pain kind of like don't really like remember everything that happened but my husband said that at one point he let go of my hand and like sat down real and drank juice because there was so much blood he's like I was getting lightheaded he's like I cannot believe they that to you without any medication and they use a table that was like in the room in our room and and he my husband said that there's just like a stack of bloody tissues which is on that table and he's in this big tube that they in you to do the balloons he was like that thing was so long they just took it out and it was just like covered in blood I don't even remember him letting go of my hand

Kiona: 48:11

yeah

Genesis: 48:12

and so my doctor was like yeah this isn't working because each time they think they were able to place it but each time they would fill up the balloon i was like no it hurts it hurts it hurts and he's like we're barely even filling it up right after that we decided to go to pitocin they like do it in levels so every like 30 to like an hour they like bump you up a level or i got to like level eight i believe like at like the middle of the night my husband and i were like dead asleep one of the nurses comes into my room and it wasn't my nurse that signed to me that night and she just tells me get on all fours put your butt up in the air and your pillow your head on your pillow and i'm just like what is happening my eyes are still halfway closed and she's like trying to explain to me like each time you're having a contraction your baby is like gasping for air it's like being pulled down like if it was like in water and she's like trying to explain it to me and i'm like trying to comprehend like why are you telling me this don't understand why you're telling me this and then like i wake up a little bit more and then my nurse comes in and she's like yeah like your baby's not reacting well to the pitocin it's just like we're gonna stop the pitocin until your doctor comes in this in the morning to do his rounds so i'm like just laying there of realizing what is happening and i'm like i'm gonna have a c-section

Kiona: 49:39

i'm

Genesis: 49:39

gonna have a c-section and my husband is like you're fine you're not no you're not i'm gonna have a c-section and my OB comes in in the morning and sure enough he's like we could continue with the pitocin but i can't guarantee that it will it will work i've had every intervention at this he tells me you have the option having a c-section but first he's like how many kids do you want and i say i want about like two to three kids that's it and he tells me okay like that's a good number if you're if if we're doing a c-section i decide at that moment i'm like yeah we're gonna do a c-section because if my baby can't handle me just having contractions i don't think he's gonna handle me pushing they're like okay we're gonna get ready for your c-section and so they're like getting the room ready but there's another lady that's also my patients my my obese patient that's like giving birth and they're like oh this is her fourth child she's probably gonna have it quick and so they're like we'll we'll hold off once she has the baby like we'll we'll get you um ready for the operating room i was like okay i end up napping like mostly

Kiona: 51:13

oh yeah

Genesis: 51:14

yeah sure enough go to the operating room and they collect the blood of my baby's umbilical cord i did have a fibroid my doctor removed it like seeing my son it was so amazing i wanted to see my placenta but i didn't get to but my ob did inform me during the removal of placenta that it was calcified he later explained to me that that's symptom of hypertension and then i think that's like basically everything that happened with the c-section it was super quick i also ended up throwing up during my c-section

Kiona: 51:58

oh yeah

Genesis: 51:59

yeah like they put my baby on my chest and i was so happy and he was like latching right away and then i was like i think i'm gonna puke and they're like get him off her chest they got him off and like i puked a little bit and um then they took me back to my room hmm And they never had baby leave me and my partner's site, which I loved about that hospital. I think they only took them for the hearing test, but they let my husband go with them. that was really nice, which actually was really nice for me because during that time I brushed my teeth, I showered, I did stuff for myself that I hadn't done. Because at that point we had been in the hospital for four days. And we stayed an additional, I think, five days because my OB wanted to make sure that my blood pressure didn't go back up after the fourth day of postpartum. And it did. It did go back up. my son got discharged a whole day before me because they needed to see if my body would react okay with blood pressure medication that they prescribed me. And they wanted to supervise that for 24 hours. And so after that, they let me go after the 24 hours. I was so happy to be home. Oh,

Kiona: 53:20

Oh,

Genesis: 53:20

my God.

Kiona: 53:20

gosh. I

Genesis: 53:21

was like nine hours of the hospital. I was like...

Kiona: 53:24

Nine days. Yeah.

Genesis: 53:26

Yeah. It was bad.

Kiona: 53:28

Yeah. That sounds crazy. That is not a vacation. Nine days of vacation. Cool. Nine days in the hospital. Not so much.

Genesis: 53:38

Yeah.

Kiona: 53:38

Yeah. Oh, my goodness. Okay. So there's obviously a ton of information that you just shared with us, but your story is so easy to follow. So I actually just want to dive right into postpartum. What was postpartum like for you?

Genesis: 53:54

I'm pretty sure I had postpartum rage. I just didn't know what to do. Like, I remember one night, my husband wasn't giving me the bottle fast enough. And I remember being like, you are useless to me right now. I think it was mainly because, like, I also was trying to, like, but breastfeeding wasn't going well. Like, my baby was latching great, but he wasn't transferring as much milk as he needed to.

Kiona: 54:23

Got

Genesis: 54:23

So every week, every two weeks, we would go back to the hospital to meet with the lactation consultant. And they would help me and try to give me tips and tricks. And I did enjoy those appointments because afterwards, me and my husband would go have lunch at a local deli. Because at that point, our baby's fed. He's fed asleep, so we would have, like, a little date for ourselves. I think three months postpartum, I ended up getting my period, and my supply lot, like, more than half. And because at that point, were doing triple feedings, and my baby was full breast milk. So we weren't using any formula at this point, which was great. the—I would breastfeed him, and then my husband would give him the bottle, and then I would pump. And doing that eight times a day was

Kiona: 55:17

Oh,

Genesis: 55:17

exhausting.

Kiona: 55:18

gosh, yeah. Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 55:19

It

Kiona: 55:19

And it's

Genesis: 55:20

drains

Kiona: 55:20

not

Genesis: 55:20

you.

Kiona: 55:20

sustainable. It is not sustainable at all to do that long term.

Genesis: 55:24

Yeah. And once my supply dropped, I told my husband, I cannot do this. And we stopped going to the lactation consultants nothing was getting any better. And so we started supplementing with formula. And I ended up just deciding to nurse him for comfort. And when he was wanting to sleep, because that's how we put him to sleep was me nursing him. And to this day, I still kind of do that. And he's, he's six and a half months now. And I'm like slowly weeding off of pumping. But it's hard. It's hard to tell yourself, like, it's okay to give them formula.

Kiona: 56:09

Right. Yeah.

Genesis: 56:10

And yeah, that was, I think that's the, that's like been the hardest part for me. But it's also like nice because I don't have to get up in the middle of the night to pump.

Kiona: 56:21

Right. Right. Yeah.

Genesis: 56:22

I

Kiona: 56:23

Yeah.

Genesis: 56:24

do not miss that.

Kiona: 56:25

Yeah.

Genesis: 56:27

So that was, that was difficult. And then we also didn't have friends and family visit us initially. We had family come visit us a month and a half after he was born. I loved them being there because like it was extra hands. But my mother-in-law didn't understand triple feeding was. So she was just like, just pump or just like give them formula. I really want this to work. then at that point, me and my husband also had a routine already set and another big thing about my postpartum was we were trying to get the results for the chromosome test still. We still needed to know, like, cause at the hospital, the pediatricians were like, your baby for sure does not have Jacobsen's. Like your baby's fine. his heart sounds fine, but Klinefelters, there's no way of telling them by appearance. I knew the pediatricians, what, what clinic they worked at. So I called that clinic and the receptionist told me, he's not a patient of ours. So he doesn't have a chart. So there's no lab. And I was like, okay, well, can you ask, see which doctor ordered it? Because that, that was another thing during my hospital stay is that there are so many pediatricians. I didn't know who ordered

Kiona: 57:49

Right.

Genesis: 57:49

the lab and they told me that I needed to know who ordered it. But I had like three different ones tell me, I'm going to order it under my name. I'm going to order it. So like, I just like did not know who it was.

Kiona: 58:01

Right.

Genesis: 58:01

And, I remember asking this receptionist, can't you just ask the doctors? Like, can you see? And she's like, no. And I was like, where the heck am I going to get these results? So during one of lactation appointments, cause they were in the hospital, I was like, you know what? I should ask for his medical records.

Kiona: 58:21

Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 58:22

In there. Cause like nobody called me. No phone call, no nothing. So I check his medical records and like flipping through these pages, like in the car, like a crazy woman. And I finally found the page that says chromosome test results, normal male, infant.

Kiona: 58:40

Mm.

Genesis: 58:41

And I, uh, the relief I felt. And then there's like a whole section that says like this test isn't a hundred percent. And

Kiona: 58:48

Right.

Genesis: 58:48

I was like, no test is going to be a hundred percent.

Kiona: 58:50

Right.

Genesis: 58:51

But even before we got the test results, I remember me and my husband talking like, if he does have Klinefelters, that's fine. w just wanted to know because males that have Klinefelters, they don't, they, they're not fertile. they need to go through IVF to like have babies biologically theirs.

Kiona: 59:11

Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 59:11

And so I was just wanting to be mentally prepared to have that discussion with him when he got older, if he did have it. but either way, I was like, I, I was just happy to have my baby. the amount of stuff that women go through during their pregnancy is insane.

Kiona: 59:30

It is so insane.

Genesis: 59:33

So I, I'm happy that I went through the, through everything, but I feel like postpartum was so hard. I thought it was going to be so beautiful. You know, I thought pregnancy was hard. No, postpartum's like another thing.

Kiona: 59:48

Yeah, postpartum is so insane. And I think when it comes to pregnancy and, like, preparation for postpartum, it's very minimal. Not many people focus so intensely on postpartum and how to prepare for that and how to deal with the emotions and the demand that's going to come to you. And then the sleep deprivation, oh my gosh, that is, like, literally a whole other realm, being sleep deprived. I've mentioned this on my podcast in the past, but nobody talks about how close to death you are when you're sleep deprived. Like, you're literally surviving on two hours of broken sleep in 15 and 30-minute chunks in a 24-hour

Genesis: 1:00:31

period.

Kiona: 1:00:33

It's insane.

Genesis: 1:00:34

It's insane. I told my husband, so, during my pregnancy, I wanted to get a doula.

Kiona: 1:00:40

Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 1:00:40

And I didn't end up getting a doula just because of, like, the whole genetic testing and everything. Just forgot about researching a doula because I wanted to do my research. I wanted to connect with a doula that I was right for me.

Kiona: 1:00:55

Right.

Genesis: 1:00:56

And then with TRICARE, not a lot of doulas take our TRICARE.

Kiona: 1:01:01

Right.

Genesis: 1:01:02

So, I was also researching that. But with, like, the genetic testing my whole focus went onto the genetic testing.

Kiona: 1:01:09

Right.

Genesis: 1:01:10

I completely forgot about the doulas. So, I told my baby number two, I'm getting a postpartum doula.

Kiona: 1:01:18

Yes. Mm-hmm. Yeah, postpartum doulas are so important. And I just actively started doing postpartum work, like, alone outside of, like, birth doula work. And, man, the need is so vast. The need is so, so, so vast. So, yes, that's needed in the postpartum time. Yeah. just to clarify for the listeners, you went through all of this with your pregnancy and genetic testing and all of the kind of, like, fear-mongering with your first OB to get the amniocentesis, get the amnio, get the amnio to, like, decide. But you followed your gut and your intuition, switched providers, and now you have a healthy baby boy.

Genesis: 1:02:04

Yeah.

Kiona: 1:02:05

Yeah.

Genesis: 1:02:06

It's, like, so crazy know, I always thought, like, well, I'm going to follow science. I'm going to get the amio. I'm going to get all this stuff done, but. once it happens, once you're in it, it's a different game.

Kiona: 1:02:21

Right. Because it's literally making decisions that determine life or death, right?

Genesis: 1:02:28

Yeah.

Kiona: 1:02:29

So, it's, like, you have to advocate for yourself and you could be going with one provider and get one result. And I really like the fact that the genetic clinic provider used a different lab because that makes such a big difference and, like, the process of, like, evaluation I think that that was a really good choice.

Genesis: 1:02:49

Yeah. I'm happy with the turnout. And I tell my husband, I'm like, if you could extend your stay here in California on this base, I'm 100% okay with it just so that I could have the same OB.

Kiona: 1:03:01

Right. Awesome. Yeah. Yes, for sure. Well, Genesis, it has been beautiful talking with you. I just have three final closing questions for you. Do you feel ready for those?

Genesis: 1:03:13

Yeah.

Kiona: 1:03:13

Okay. Awesome. So, my first closing question is, what is one piece of advice that you would give to all pregnant people to prepare for labor, birth, and postpartum?

Genesis: 1:03:23

I would say, do your research on your doctor. I if I would have done my research in the beginning, rather than just telling them to make the referral for whatever OB, I would have had a better experience.

Kiona: 1:03:41

Yeah. Yeah.

Genesis: 1:03:42

Yeah.

Kiona: 1:03:42

Yeah. And then also, to piggyback off that, I would say to do what you did and consider changing providers if you're not happy with your provider.

Genesis: 1:03:50

Yeah.

Kiona: 1:03:51

Yeah.

Genesis: 1:03:52

Yeah. That was something I didn't picture myself doing.

Kiona: 1:03:55

Mm-hmm.

Genesis: 1:03:56

At all.

Kiona: 1:03:57

Right. And then you did, from the sounds of it, it was a good choice.

Genesis: 1:04:01

Oh, yeah.

Kiona: 1:04:02

Yeah. Yeah. So, my second question is, what is one resource that I can share with my listeners on your behalf?

Genesis: 1:04:11

I would… probably say i don't have just one i would say read pregnancy and baby books

Kiona: 1:04:19

Yes.

Genesis: 1:04:20

like because as a first-time mom i didn't know what pregnancy entailed i didn't know what these appointments were nobody told me oh at this appointment we're gonna do this at this point we're gonna do this i just like showed up and they're like oh we're today we're gonna do group b testing you

Kiona: 1:04:36

right

Genesis: 1:04:36

know

Kiona: 1:04:37

right um

Genesis: 1:04:39

but i was kind of prepared because i remember reading books that would go like week by week telling me

Kiona: 1:04:48

what

Genesis: 1:04:48

to expect at each appointment

Kiona: 1:04:50

yeah yeah

Genesis: 1:04:51

yeah

Kiona: 1:04:52

i think that's such a great great thing to mention and now with apps they also have similar things to where they kind of tell you what to expect but it's more geared towards like the size of your baby but they do have some articles in like the further resources or further education portions of these apps but the books are the steady and true way to go for sure yeah and so i just have one final closing question for you and that question is if could describe your birth with just one word what would it be

Genesis: 1:05:28

you know i knew you were gonna ask me this because i listened to this podcast my whole pregnancy i i asked my husband this question

Kiona: 1:05:37

really

Genesis: 1:05:37

his word

Kiona: 1:05:38

okay

Genesis: 1:05:38

so his word is exciting okay my word would be overwhelming

Kiona: 1:05:48

yeah

Genesis: 1:05:48

because i was overwhelmed by the fact i didn't get the birth i wanted i wanted i wanted to have a natural birth because my mom and my mother-in-law not long labors both had all their kids naturally no interventions no so that's what i pictured myself to have but i was over also like even though i was like sad that i didn't get the birth i wanted i was so happy to meet my baby

Kiona: 1:06:23

yeah

Genesis: 1:06:25

like i remember like being in the operating table and telling my husband i'm so happy

Kiona: 1:06:30

mm-hmm

Genesis: 1:06:31

beautiful like

Kiona: 1:06:32

that's

Genesis: 1:06:32

it's being so happy yeah

Kiona: 1:06:35

that is beautiful such a cutie pie

Genesis: 1:06:40

i'm so sorry for i'm

Kiona: 1:06:42

no

Genesis: 1:06:42

hoping that this is not gonna mess up your recording oh

Kiona: 1:06:44

no it's fine i love it i'm gonna keep it in there he's got his words to share too he's like i'm here and i'm fine

Genesis: 1:06:53

he did come out crying like right away yeah

Kiona: 1:06:57

beautiful beautiful

Genesis: 1:06:59

he's had some lungs on him since day one

Kiona: 1:07:02

beautiful that's awesome he yep

Genesis: 1:07:04

yeah

Kiona: 1:07:04

loud and proud that's what he is

Genesis: 1:07:07

awesome

Kiona: 1:07:08

well genesis thank you so much for sharing your birth story with me and i know that when people hear this they actually will be able to relate to some of the things that you went through so i appreciate you sharing

Genesis: 1:07:21

thank you for having me all i want to do is share my story on the genetic testing experience because i know when i went through it i felt alone

Kiona: 1:07:31

yeah yeah and it's also good that you stood your ground with your providers you know and you told them hey i got the test done and these are this is where my boundaries are and i'm keeping this pregnancy and now you have a healthy baby boy

Genesis: 1:07:47

yeah i know it's crazy

Kiona: 1:07:48

it is it is it's great though it's great he's such a cutie

Genesis: 1:07:53

thank you thank you so much

Outro: 1:08:08

One thing that I really appreciate about this story is Genesis did all of the things that seemed quote unquote, right in the moment. And she did everything that she needed. She did the genetic testing. And then the doctors were the ones that made the mistake. And that's not a bad thing. Doctors are humans too. But it really put Genesis and her family through so many ups and downs to decide whether or not they were going to keep this pregnancy. And because Genesis had her intuition to see a different provider and get a second opinion, she's able to have her beautiful, healthy baby boy in her arms. So Genesis, thank you so much again for sharing your story with us. And I'm so excited to get this out there for other people to hear. So they do not feel alone in their genetic testing experience. Now, if you like this episode, you can go to birth as we know at podcast.com forward slash 87 to look at the show notes and the definitions of some of the vocabulary that was used in today's episode. And if you want to listen to another episode that is very intriguing with the hospital system, I would suggest that you check out episode 65 with Angela, where she talks about her experience with IVF, as well as her NICU experience with the preemie baby. And don't forget, if you are looking for a birth doula and are located in the greater Seattle area, send me a message so that we can chat to see if I would potentially be a good doula fit for you. If you want to learn more about my birth doula services, you can go to birth as we know at podcast.com forward slash doula. All right, friends, thank you so much for listening to this episode today. I hope you learn something new with me today. And I look forward to talking you all again soon. All right, bye for now.