Korynah's Birth Story

Throughout my pregnancy I watched The Baby Story on The Learning Channel every single day. I wanted to find out all I could about the baby’s development and about being pregnant. I learned about the many different types of labor experiences by watching the show, and I figured the worst case scenario would be a C-section. I reminded myself over and over that many women have had babies, and that I wouldn’t be able to avoid the pain, so I came to terms with it and was never really scared of giving birth.

When I was seven months along, I started getting pelvic pain that felt like the area was bruised really badly, almost like it was about to break. I am not sure what caused this pain but it lasted through my pregnancy.

Since my baby’s due date was so close to Christmas, I went in for an induction, where they gave me Cervidil to soften my cervix. The next morning, at 5:30 AM, I was switched to Pitocin to bring on the contractions and kick-start the labor process. Around 1 or 2 PM, I was almost to two centimeters but wasn’t progressing. I was having contractions, but they weren’t severe until my water broke and I started feeling solid, steady pain in my pelvic area. This pain was so intense but I knew it was not pain from contractions and I was near tears. I begged for drugs and eventually I was given something in my IV and it knocked me out.

Soon afterwards the doctor and midwife came in and asked me if I wanted a C-section. I was frustrated because I couldn't even stay awake long enough to discuss the situation with them. I finally gave in and they rolled me away. They gave me a spinal, which is supposed to numb you from the waist down. During the pain test, where they use pinchers on your belly, I could feel it and I cried out. They upped the dosage of medications running through my IV drip and gave it another 15 minutes. I was zoning in and out, trying to fight the urge to sleep from the drugs I had been given previously. When they tested again to see if I could feel them pinch, it felt like a needle being jabbed into me. They then put me under anesthesia to deliver my baby.

When I woke up in the recovery room, I didn’t know where I was or why I was hurting and I kept crying from the pain. I was still a little delusional and was in and out of consciousness.

Finally I woke up and remembered I had a baby and asked about her. Then I asked if my boyfriend could come in the room. After a while I was taken to my room and got to see my precious angel.

It wasn't until we were watching the video of her being cleaned and treated in the nursery that I realized I had missed my baby's birth all together! It was an emotional moment for me, but I stayed strong. Korynah McKenzie was born on December 20, 2005, at 6:23 PM, but didn't get to see her mommy until around 9 PM. But in the end everything was okay because we’re all healthy and doing well.