The fabulous Phoebe Amador and Fynley Alexandria (2).
Phoebe's pregnancy with Fynley came as a surprise and she found that she didn't tell anyone beyond her immediate family until she was about 4 months along. She had morning sickness throughout her entire pregnancy but no other health issues until the very end. At 37 weeks, Phoebe had an appointment on a Thursday and everything looked great. Her blood pressure and fluids were fine and Fynley was doing well. She went back the following Tuesday, however, and was told that her baby was transverse, she had no fluid and her blood pressure was very high.
Phoebe had felt great and had a difficult time believing them after her last appointment but went to the hospital immediately for monitoring. After a few hours her doctor arrived and asked if she was ready for her cesarean. She was floored and refused, pleading with her doctor to instead try turning her baby and inducing her. Her doctor reiterated the situation and told her no matter what she said, she was going to have a cesarean.
Phoebe had arrived to the hospital around noon and was taken into surgery at 5pm. Her mom had come to join her but her boyfriend had just started a new job and she knew he couldn't make it. She had never been sick or needed to have surgery before and found herself terrified. Without ever feeling any contractions she was taken to the OR and was so scared that she began shaking, vomiting and couldn't breath, she was crying and they wouldn't let her mom come in until she settled down. She calmed enough for them to place the epidural and bring her mom in but she found the whole experience sad and scary.
Fynley was healthy when she was born but was covered in very dry vernix and Phoebe later learned that her baby had been lodged underneath her ribs. Though she struggled to believe it, there really had been no fluid left. Phoebe's mom left with Fynley and she was taken to recovery where she fell asleep. She woke up 5 hours later and was incredibly out of it. She remembers hearing people there but doesn't recall actually seeing them or feeling present until hours later. She nursed her baby and rested overnight. The following morning they asked her to supplement with formula because Fynley had begun to drop weight. She also struggled to hold her temperature over the next three days before they were discharged. Phoebe was able to stay home with her daughter for her first three months of her life before returning to work and is still breastfeeding today.
Phoebe says that motherhood has changed so much about her. After her daughter was born she found herself researching everything and learning so much about what other women go through. She's always been body conscious but after seeing so many other women bravely sharing themselves and their stories wanted to join the chorus.