Name: Minerva Carrillo

Baby’s name: Luciana
Weight: 3.27 kg
Length: 49cm
Gestation: 38 weeks
Birthday: Octobre 11, 2019
Place of birth: Monterrey, Mexico

For 19 years I dedicated my life to the service of missionary work in the Catholic Church. I left that life and, in God´s time, met my current husband. We got married when I was 38 years old, which meant a harder chance for us to get pregnant. Adding to that the fact that I have a thyroid problem that makes pregnancy harder. It took us 2 years to conceive our first baby but, unfortunately, we had an early miscarriage at 8 weeks. It was a very sad and stressful time for both of us. I was not able to expel anything by myself, so I ended up having a small surgery to remove everything form my uterus.

We tried again and, 4 months later, I was pregnant again! But this time, I had a horrible beginning with a lot of nausea and vomiting. I went to the hospital for 3 days because of dehydration. This lasted 4 months! I was in bed and unable to do anything at all. I had to give up my work at a school so that I could fully dedicate to my well being and that of my unborn baby.

We found out we were having a baby girl and, I think, that has been one of the most exciting news I have ever received.

Months 5 through 9 went fairly well. But by my 37th week I was having terrible back aches and a very hard time breathing, all considered pretty normal.

The baby was healthy and growing stronger each day.

At my 38 week checkup I asked the doctor if he could induce the birth and he agreed, especially because my baby was now weighing 4kg and her head looked pretty big. I am petite size and the the doctor feared she would not be able to make it through or that we could have a high risk pregnancy.

So, there I went to the hospital early on a Friday morning. I started having contractions thanks to the medicine they gave me. My husband and my mom were there with me, helping through the pain.

After 10 hours of birth labor my cervix was not dilated at all. I was exhausted and my baby had done too much effort pushing as well. So we all agreed it was time for a C-Section.

And, honestly, it was the best decision at that moment for all of us. They took me to the operating room, gave me all the anesthesia that was needed and with that I was finally able to relax and take a break. 20 minutes later my beautiful baby girl was born! Weighing 3,275kg and measuring 49cm.

I was accompanied by a wonderful team of doctors and nurses who made this experience the best of our lives. My husband got to cut the umbilical cord and assist the pediatrician with all the initial care and cleaning of the baby. So she had a first time with her daddy and that was very special!

I know maybe things might have been different if I had waited all 40 weeks or allowed the birth to go naturally as we had planned. But my body was asking for something else and so was my mind and soul. I do not regret my decision at all.

And I am extremely grateful for my little miracle of a baby when I was 41 years old!

What did your birth experience teach you about yourself?

I can say that the birth experience has just been the beginning of a whole new recognition of myself. It has made me aware of my own body and my own personal needs in a very intimate level. It has opened me up to a new feelings and sentiments, such as an overwhelming love for my baby, my husband and even myself. It has given me the opportunity to realize that I can be happy in my self-giving.

In short, both my pregnancy and my birth experience have been a transforming event for me in all levels.