The Birth of Elijah

Birth story by the amazing Krysta Donofrio. Images by Hailey Moses Striebich.

Krysta contacted me in her third trimester, seeking doula support to help her achieve an unmedicated birth with her second child. Just as few weeks later, she found out that her baby was breech and that a C-section was medically indicated. We pivoted plans and began to prepare for what we hoped would be a peaceful, empowered Cesarean birth. The team at UF Health Shands, led by attending Dr. Kaitlin Rogers, did everything possible to give Krysta the birth that she hoped for. The lights were dimmed in the OR, music was playing, and Krysta’s preferences were centered throughout the process. Elijah’s birth story is a powerful example of how a Cesarean birth can be a positive experience and a beautiful birth. I am so excited to share Krysta’s birth story in her own words below. She is a warm, radiant human with an infectious smile and an incredible mother. It was a joy in every way to be by her side as her doula and to capture these precious moments of her family. -Hailey

I am so excited to share one of the most beautiful, yet scariest days of my entire life in honor of baby Elijah!

At 34 weeks we found out Elijah was in a frank breech position, so every single idea of what I had anticipated his birth to be, went down the drain.

I had to have a scheduled C-Section.

With my daughter Syriah I had such a quick and easy birth experience, and I had absolutely no idea what to expect with this change of plan.

On March 21st, at 38 weeks & 4 days, I started my morning as we normally would.

Syriah and I got ready to go to my last scheduled OB appointment. I knew I wanted to get my cervix checked because I was having some intense Braxton Hicks contractions in the days prior.

My mama met us there and we heard baby’s heart, and we did all the things as usual. My OB checked my cervix and I noticed her make a face and look at me concerned. She said I was 3cm dilated and told me to head straight to labor and delivery since we were over an hour away.

I went home and left my daughter Syriah with my sister and started the drive to Shands. In all honesty, I was terrified but so excited to finally meet my miracle baby.

Upon arrival, my mama stayed with me until my husband Brandon and doula Hailey got there and then she waited on Elijah’s arrival in the waiting room.

When Hailey arrived, she came fully prepared and ready to be my advocator. She handed out my birth plan to staff and explained the C-section process to me and Brandon to help ease our nerves.

Elijah’s delivery was pushed back twice due to emergency C-sections and staffing issues. As the hours passed, it was getting harder to remain calm. I was starving (I hadn’t eaten since 8AM, it was now 9PM) and I felt anxious.

Luckily, the staff was able to keep us updated on what was going on and why there was a wait.

My doula Hailey vouched for all the information and made it clear how I felt to all staff in order to help the process move along, she was truly an angel and so needed.

Finally, they let us know we would be going back at 9:30PM.

This is when everything got real as I was led to the OR to start the process. Thankfully Hailey was able to come from start to finish to help calm me.

As I was getting my spinal in the OR, the anesthesiologist noticed I had minor scoliosis and made this known. I didn’t think anything of it, and we continued with the spinal. Hailey held my hand and kept reassuring me everything was going to be okay. All I could do was pray.

Shortly after, they brought Brandon back and that’s when it hit me how scared I was. Brandon’s my safe place, once I saw him I was able to finally let my true emotions out & cry.

The anesthesiologist let me know they were about to begin and I would feel some tugging.

During surgery I was in shock, it felt like an out of body experience because so much was happening around me and so much was out of my control.

The only thing that gave me peace was knowing that I wouldn’t be alone. I knew if there was a safer way for baby Elijah to come, God would have made it go that way. But this is the way that it has to be, so I have to be strong.

The advice I would give for other C-section mamas is that it’s okay to grieve the birth story you thought you would have, but know that all things work together for your good. Nothing is a coincidence, and you find strength you didn’t know was possible through the trials!

When we were half way through the procedure I began to feel more intense pressure and pain on my left side. I looked at Hailey and told her it hurts, IMMEDIATELY she alerted everyone in the OR and they realized it was most likely due to my scoliosis and uneven spinal administration.

They gave me a few options on what we could do: stop the surgery, administer fentanyl, or nitrous oxide.

I opted for nitrous oxide, as it was being administered I had a reaction and had them stop. Again, Hailey advocated for me and asked if there was another medication I could be given. They were able to administer another one through IV that worked perfectly.

My experience having a doula was worth more than money can ever buy. Having someone who can defend and advocate for your soul and body while in the most vulnerable stage of life is so priceless. I will never forget the experience or the doula that I chose!

At this time, they said Elijah was almost here.

Less than 30 seconds later, they pulled him out and held him over the curtain. Seeing my baby for the first time was a rush like no other, it was surreal. Instant love.

He was perfect.

His cries were beautiful.

Tears rolled.

Our miracle baby was finally here!

Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling okay to be able to do skin to skin right away but Brandon was able to as I recovered and looking over at them was so surreal.

I could tell it was love at first sight.

Our little family is complete.

The C-section experience was positive for me because of the care I received through it. I didn’t have to feel alone because truthfully I wasn’t, I felt peace and strength knowing God was in control of the situation and even though my first birth was vaginal, the c section was what needed to happen to bring my angel to earth and I was willing to go through the pain for him. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it means having my baby born healthy and whole. The experience was even better than my first pregnancy because of the fact I had a doula, I didn’t know there was even such a profession with my first. I felt seen in my scariest moments and I will absolutely never forget it. When my children have children, I will advise them to have a doula as well. That’s how important and perfect having one was for me.