The lovely Jessica Ward with her sons Joshua (2) and Andrew (2 weeks). Jessica also has a 6 year old step-daughter. Jessica found just before her wedding that she was pregnant with her first son. She had a healthy pregnancy but labor, delivery, and recovery were harder than she had anticipated. Her water broke at 39 weeks, and she was able to labor naturally, but delivery became difficult. Joshua turned sideways in the birth canal, and Jessica tore severely inside and out. She had to be stitched up multiple times, and the doctor had to return again and again because the bleeding wouldn't stop. Her recovery was painful and challenging, but she was able to initiate breastfeeding and nursed Joshua to 18 months. Her second pregnancy was more trying in that she felt a lot sicker and nauseous but her delivery, this time, was a breeze. She went post dates by a few days and walked and walked around the hospital to get labor moving. Her midwife asked a few times if she could break her water and said once she did the baby would come. Eventually, Jessica told her just to do it, and Andrew was born within minutes and minimal tearing. Two weeks out she is feeling great and breastfeeding is off to a wonderful start.
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