San Antonio Birth Photography: a PPROM Induction

I was so excited when this family chose me as their doula and birth photographer. When we had our first prenatal to discuss my client’s birth choices and preferences, we had no idea at the time just how far off the rails the plan would go. At 29 weeks, the let me know her waters had broken and she was officially admitted to the hospital until baby was born — and the hope was that that wouldn’t be for a while. If things went as hoped, my client would be induced at 34 weeks. And after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the 34 week finish line had arrived!

We talked about how an induction may go — it could be very long since it was so early and she was a first-time mom, or maybe it could go quick since baby would be tinier. These parents had low expectations for even getting time with their baby after birth since they were estimating the baby’s weight under 4 pounds. But nonetheless, they were excited and more than ready to meet their baby. After a few hours of supporting her unmedicated, she decided the was ready for an epidural. Pitocin was high, so I was impressed with how long she had labored without it! After the epidural was placed, a cervical check showed she was 5cm (which was honestly SO exciting to learn her body was cooperating with the induction!). We all were in for a big shock when she started feeling a lot of pressure and a cervical check showed (less than an hour after the last one) that she was ready to push! Baby was born shortly later and was a whopping 5 pounds 1 ounce. Thankfully, this meant they had a little time to say '“hi” before he had to go to the NICU. This birth had me grateful for the little wins: grateful she made it to 34 weeks, grateful her placenta moved up enough to attempt an induction, grateful the induction was successful, and grateful baby was so much chunkier than expected!