Today, Mila & Shawn share their baby’s pre-pandemic, premature birth story. In the weeks leading up to Mila’s labor, the couple had been chosen to be on the tv show HOUSE HUNTERS. However, Mila’s water breaks at 36 weeks before they even finish shooting the episode. While Mila, who had done a lot of work to reduce her anxiety and build trust in the birth process, had hoped for an unmedicated labor, the way things play out induction and then pain medications ended up being needed. They share how Mila pushed for 3 hours, and just as things were headed for a c-section, Shawn asked if the vacuum was an option because Mila really wanted to avoid a surgical birth. So, a vacuum was used to assist with the delivery. Then they explain how baby went to the NICU for 6 days due to some breathing issues and needing phototherapy for jaundice. Mila discusses the helpful early breastfeeding support she received in the hospital, and also shares already preferring to having an out-of-hospital birth attended by a midwife and a doula for the next time around.
