Ashley O: Bedrest at 38 Weeks, Induction Leads to a Long Labor, Negative Postpartum Experience

This week, Ashley joins Liz & Natalie to share the birth story of her daughter. Ashley and her husband are high school sweethearts. Ashley imagined herself with a big family (She even dressed up as Ashley+8 for Halloween one year!) She found out she was pregnant on Valentine’s Day after a year of trying.

Ashley requested bedrest at 38 weeks due to the stressful work she does as a social worker. She was induced at 39 weeks, and was in labor for over 40 hours. Her epidural failed twice, so she felt it all. She credits her amazing playlist to get her through!

Ashley’s postpartum experience in the hospital was very negative, and 4 years later, she now knows she is one and done. It took her a lot of work to come to terms with her traumatic birth, firstly even recognizing and acknowledging the extent of the trauma.