Monet’s First Birth Story – “I Knew What I Wanted and What I Didn’t”

Welcome to Spill the Tea, my birth blog series where I share real, unfiltered birth stories from moms in our community and beyond. These stories aren’t Hollywood versions of birth—they’re honest, sometimes raw, and always shared with the hope of encouraging and preparing other women.

As a Christian doula, I believe every birth—no matter how it unfolds—can be an opportunity to see God’s hand at work. Through these stories, I pray you’ll find support, courage, and faith for your own journey.

Today’s story comes from Monet, a Fredericksburg-area mom who is not one of my clients, but graciously offered to share her first birth story as a way to encourage other moms. She didn’t have a doula during this birth, but she had wanted one—something that shaped how she approached labor and her support system. I’m honored to share her words and experience with you.

Pregnancy

Monet is a 28-year-old mom of two daughters, born just 14 months apart. This is the story of her first birth—one that didn’t go exactly how she planned, but still left her feeling strong, capable, and at peace with the decisions she made along the way.

Monet says her pregnancy went well overall. She felt good physically, with only some nausea and a constant appetite. Emotionally, she was happy—but cautious. After having experienced a miscarriage before, she stayed more aware and tuned in throughout her pregnancy, which is why she didn’t ignore it when she noticed her baby wasn’t moving as much one day late in pregnancy. She left work and headed to the hospital just to be safe.

She had already packed her hospital bags, but since she wasn’t expecting anything urgent, they were still at home when she left. Thankfully, the car seat was in the car, and when the care team decided to move forward with an induction due to signs of preeclampsia, she didn’t panic—she adjusted.

Leading up to labor, she had taken birth classes through her OB and Medicaid, and she checked out books from the library to learn what she could. She hoped for a natural, smooth, and quick birth and had really wanted a doula, but even though those specific details didn’t come together, she walked into labor with a clear sense of what she wanted—and what she didn’t.

Labor

Her induction started with both cervical ripening and Pitocin, and her water broke on its own—something that helped her feel like her body was still participating, even with medical interventions in place. As contractions intensified, she chose to get an epidural along with IV pain medication, which helped her rest and stay present. It wasn’t the unmedicated labor she had hoped for, but it was the right call for her body and her baby—and she felt confident in her decision.

Her mom, boyfriend, and his mom were all there offering support. She also had a team of nurses who made a lasting impression: kind, attentive, and genuinely supportive. Monet remembers how much of a difference that made in helping her feel calm and cared for during labor.

At one point, her baby’s heart rate began to dip and rise unpredictably. Her care team encouraged her to change positions, and doing so helped her baby respond better. That moment reminded her that even small shifts—whether in posture, mindset, or approach—can have a big impact. Working with your body and baby in labor doesn’t always require dramatic moves; sometimes it’s just tuning in and responding with intention.

Birth

Seven hours after labor started—and just five pushes later—her daughter was born, weighing only four pounds, but breathing strong and healthy. Monet describes the moment simply: "I felt great. Safe. Finished.” Relief washed over her.

Right in the middle of pushing, someone played Push It by Salt-N-Pepa. It was perfectly timed and gave the room a boost of energy and laughter, just when she needed it. That moment still brings a smile to her face and added a sense of lightheartedness to the final stretch of labor.

She had known the baby’s gender in advance, but hadn’t fully settled on a name. “I was worried I might want to change it,” she said. The weight of choosing the right name felt real, and she wanted to wait until she saw her baby’s face. Meeting her daughter brought that clarity.

Postpartum

Her recovery was smoother than expected. She didn’t experience postpartum depression, and she had strong support from her boyfriend and family, which helped her rest, recover, and adjust to motherhood.

Monet says this birth changed the way she views motherhood and birth itself. It gave her confidence—and a sense of purpose. Someday, far in the future, she hopes to be a grandma in the room, supporting and coaching her own daughter through labor, just like her mom supported her.

She encourages other moms to prepare ahead of time, make a birth plan, and understand what’s important to them. Education and support made a difference for her, and she believes it can for others, too—whether that support comes from family, trusted friends, or community spaces like local and online mom groups.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in that season right now—preparing for labor, facing the unknowns of postpartum, or just starting to think about what kind of birth you want—let this story remind you that while plans may shift, you can still feel grounded and supported. Learn your options. Trust your instincts. Advocate for what matters to you. And most of all—stay rooted.

Labor and birth may be unpredictable, but the Lord remains steady through it all. Whether you are breathing through contractions or finding your footing as a new mom, He is there.

🙏 Thank you, Monet, for sharing your story with clarity and strength. Stay tuned—we’ll be back soon to spill the tea on her second birth, and trust me—it’s a whole different story.

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🌿 At Mamma’s Manna Doula Ministry, I offer Christian doula services in Fredericksburg, VA, providing faith-based support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My heart is to walk with you through your own birth story—helping you feel informed, supported, and rooted in Christ as you welcome your baby.