During her first pregnancy, Emelie hoped and planned for an unmedicated hospital birth. At her 39 week appointment, her blood pressure was extremely high, but she was sent home after passing a nonstress test. Three days later, she returned to the hospital for a blood pressure check and was officially tested for and diagnosed with preeclampsia. This began a 31 hour induction, with what felt like every intervention under the sun. Fortunately, she was able to deliver their baby girl vaginally after 30 minutes of pushing.
Expecting their second child three years later, Emelie and and her husband, Nathan, took the Know Your Options course and felt very prepared to advocate for the unmedicated birth she again hoped to have. Emelie’s water broke at 39 weeks + 3 days in the middle of the night, and when she stood up, she realized she was hemorrhaging. She immediately knew that she was having a placental abruption, and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Fortunately, she was able to be awake during her son’s emergency Cesarean birth, and the staff of the hospital did everything they could to respect her birth wishes, even in the midst of the pandemic.
Emelie Thompson Bio
Emelie is an actor and singer based in northern Virginia. She lives with her husband, Nathan, two children, Violet and Theo, and cat, Walter Mitty. You can connect with her on Instagram at @emeliefaith, or follow her work at www.emeliefaiththompson.com.
Resources
- Know Your Options Childbirth Course
- Evidence Based Birth (Instagram @ebbirth), evidencebasedbirth.com
- Big Little Feelings (Instagram @biglittlefeelings), biglittlefeelings.com
Aeroflow Breastpumps
Aeroflow Breastpumps has helped thousands of new and expecting parents discover the breastfeeding and postpartum essentials covered by their insurance including breast pumps and maternity compression and postpartum recovery products, they take care of everything – including all paperwork, working with your insurance company, and explaining your options to get these free essentials shipped straight to your door.
Aeroflow offers all major breast pump brands including Medela, Spectra, Motif, Lansinoh, Ameda, Elvie, Willow and more.
All you have to do is go to the Aeroflow Breastpumps website and fill out their free and easy Qualify Through Insurance form. Be sure to go to aeroflowbreastpumps.com/birthhour so they will know we sent you! Bonus — use the promo code “TBH15” in their online shop for 15% off all supplies and accessories.