104. My Fifth Birth Story: A Real Look at Labour, Delivery, and Postpartum Recovery
- Brittany Miller
- 17 hours ago
- 16 min read
Updated: 1 minute ago
Every birth story is different — and this one is mine.
In this episode of Go Get Great, I’m taking you behind the scenes for the birth of baby #5. As a mom of five, I kind of have this whole labour and delivery thing down to a science. Every child and birth story is different but there are things you can do to make your birth experience easier. I share my tips for getting ready to meet baby and what to do after they're here.
We’ll talk about what surprised me this time around, how my mindset has shifted with each baby, and what postpartum recovery really feels like — physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you’ve ever found yourself comparing your journey to someone else’s, this episode is a reminder that no two birth stories look the same… and that’s okay.
Whether you’re a first-time mama or a seasoned parent, you’ll hear honest reflections, laughter, and probably a few tears as I share what it’s like balancing newborn life, recovery, and motherhood as a Canadian mom running a business.
If you love raw, real conversations about motherhood, postpartum recovery, and the incredible strength women carry through every season — this one’s for you.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Brittany — a mom of five, home renovation enthusiast, and a business owner who’s all about keeping life real and doable. I know firsthand how messy, beautiful, and overwhelming motherhood can feel, and I share from that space of “in the trenches” right alongside you.
Here, you’ll find encouragement, practical tips, and honest conversations about balancing family, work, and your own sense of self. My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling a little lighter, a little more seen, and a whole lot more equipped to create a life that works for you and your family. Follow me on Instagram @brittanynmiller_ for more.
Table of Contents
The Lead-Up: Expectation vs. Reality
When you’re on your fifth baby, you think you have a pretty good picture of how labour and delivery will go. This birth story began with a desire to space out birthdays — my older kids have birthdays close together — so I hoped for an early September baby this time. In reality, life and renovations got in the way of that plan. My OB suggested scheduling an induction the week before my due date, and because my track record with spontaneous labour often involves needing induction anyway, I agreed.
Inductions have become my preferred method because they’re predictable and I know what to expect. That predictability works well for my personality, my business schedule, and our family's logistics. Still, even with a plan, delivery always finds ways to surprise me. This birth story is full of small surprises: the baby’s size, the speed of the final push, and how postpartum life stretched and reshaped my days.
Why I Chose Induction — Again
Across my pregnancies, I was induced for a variety of reasons. With my first child, Thalia it was because my water broke early and contractions didn’t start (Read Thalia's birth story here). With Raiyah it was due to the holidays and my OB retiring (Read Raiyah's birth story here). For Rhett, the doctor’s vacation calendar made scheduling an induction the sensible choice.
For this birth story, induction was scheduled the day before my due date. Honestly, the main reason I agreed was simple: if I didn’t get induced, I might still be pregnant a month later. I wanted control over timing because my life is already juggling five kids, a home renovation, and a business and I wanted a bit of space between this babies birthday and Thalia's.
Induction is not an easy decision for everyone, but for me it’s been reliable. My body doesn’t always respond to early labour cues in a timely way, and oxytocin infusions help start contractions in a controlled manner. I’ll explain more about the process below, because knowing the details can remove a lot of the anxiety.
My Induction & Birth Story for Baby 5
Arriving at the Hospital: The Check-In Rhythm
We arrived early — the hospital likes you to be there at 6 a.m. for scheduled inductions — and the routine is always efficient. There’s intake: ID checks, vitals, paperwork, and consent forms. They confirm your identity like it’s a production, and it is. After all that, they get approval from the doctor and start the induction meds. Timeline-wise, expect about 30–45 minutes of intake and then the gown and IVs.
My strategy is simple: wear my own clothes for as long as possible. I like to feel normal and human while they do the paperwork, because once they start the oxytocin and monitoring you’re less mobile and basically naked. From the point the gown goes on, things change quickly: IV in, monitors strapped to your belly, and the oxytocin drip running. The straps that hold the monitors aren’t meant to be moved; they’re there to keep the baby’s heart rate tracked the whole time so you more or less have to stay on the bed. So know that the hospital phase is both clinical and surprisingly intimate.
What Induction Actually Felt Like
One of the hardest things about explaining induction is that it feels different for everyone. For me, oxytocin means predictable contractions that can be dialed up slowly. The nurse increases the rate every 30 minutes to mimic natural labour — it’s not a sudden jump, it’s gradual.
From past experience, I know that my body sometimes needs a little help starting the contractions and then turning contractions into progress. My cervix doesn’t always dilate on its own quickly, and the epidural has been the missing piece in the puzzle more than once. I’ll talk more about that in a dedicated section, but keep in mind that induction is still a process of patience, much like natural labour. With oxytocin you do wait: wait for the contractions to strengthen, for the OB to break your water, and for the dilation to progress until it's time to push.
What I Did While Waiting: Work, Rest, and Focus
Here’s a detail many people don’t expect: in the hospital I work. Sounds strange, but it’s true. I bring my laptop, and surprisingly, the hospital is a productive place for me. There are no kids running around, no laundry calling, no meals to prepare. Sometimes I write blog posts, batch emails, or tweak content. There’s a weird clarity to waiting; it feels like a pause button on the rest of life where I can focus on one thing.
Grayson often naps while we wait. We’ll do crosswords, chat, or just sit quietly. I try to get things done that make the first weeks after birth easier — small tasks that let me extend maternity time without worrying about immediately jumping back into full client work. That’s a tip worth considering: if you have a business or responsibilities, use that waiting time wisely. It’s a buffer that can give you extra space later and it helps the time pass more quickly.
Epidural: My Go-To During Labour
I usually opt for an epidural because, frankly, they help me dilate. Without one, my body tends to have contractions but not the dilation that leads to effective pushing. The epidural relaxes my muscles and gets my body into the right rhythm. For me, the pattern is consistent: two hours after an epidural, the baby often arrives.
That said, epidurals are not foolproof for me. I have a quirky physical response where they don’t always numb my right side completely. Sometimes the anesthesiologist has to adjust placement or give boosters. That partial effect is awkward — it can be painful during labour but beneficial during pushing because I can feel when to push and that often speeds up delivery. If you’re considering an epidural, talk to your anesthesiologist about placement and possible side asymmetry so you’re not surprised if it’s not perfectly balanced.
Dilation, Practice Pushes, and Timing
This birth story had a moment that made me laugh later: the nurses wanted me to do practice pushes while the OB was still in the hallway. I’ve had babies arrive faster than the doctor could make it to the room before, so I’m not a fan of practice pushes unless the OB is physically ready. Practice pushes can be nerve-wracking because they might trigger a real push and then you risk delivering before the team is fully present.
On this day, they checked me and said I was at about six centimeters. Fifteen to twenty minutes later I felt different — like baby had dropped lower. I asked them to check because instinctually I knew something had changed. That intuition was right: the OB could see the baby’s head and told us to prepare. We joked about how many pushes it would take; my husband guessed two and I guessed four. In reality, it took three quick pushes and our baby arrived in a matter of minutes. That part of the birth story is a reminder that once your body decides it’s time, things can move fast. This wasn't the first time I'd had a baby with 10 minutes of starting to push.
I had one small stitch afterward. My OB said that many doctors might not even bother because it wasn’t a significant tear. I credit pelvic floor physiotherapy with helping my recovery over multiple pregnancies; it’s something I can’t recommend enough. After the birth, we did the classic skin-to-skin and breastfeeding attempts, and for the most part the baby latched decently. I’ll get into specifics about breastfeeding challenges and pumping solutions in a later section.
Baby Details
Names and numbers blur after so many births. For this birth story, the baby is Orion. He felt long and lean like his dad, and when weighed he surprised the team by being the biggest of my kids so far — though not by a huge margin. I think his weight was around eight pounds and some ounces; the exact number isn’t my strongest memory because renovation numbers and contractor quotes crowd my brain these days. What matters is that he was healthy, cried robustly, and settled into our family quickly.
Hospital Stay: What to Pack and What to Skip
One of my most repeated tips is this: don’t overpack for the hospital.
I get it — you want to bring the items that comfort you, but nine times out of ten you’ll end up not using half of them. Hospitals supply many basics: diapers, pads, peri bottles, and baby hats. They even give sample formulas and sometimes pacifiers in the coming-home bag. Pack simple and practical:
One comfortable outfit for you to wear on arrival and a change for discharge (remember the hospital checks frequently and you’ll be wearing a gown for a while).
A strapless bra for easy breastfeeding access and to avoid tugging around IV lines.
Light snacks and water, because hospital meals are small and you’ll be hungry post-delivery.
Your phone, charger, and maybe a small laptop if you plan to get work done during waiting time.
Essential toiletries — though the hospital often provides shampoo and soap.
Leave heavy vanity items, extra pillows, and bulky clothes at home unless you plan a long stay. For most of us, the hospital stop is short — 24 hours or so. Make it simple and comfortable, not a full moving day.
Pro Tips from This Birth Story — What I Wish Someone Told Me Earlier
Having five kids taught me a handful of practical, repeatable tips that I now share with every expecting friend. These are the small things that make postpartum easier and help you feel like yourself quicker.
Wear a strapless bra to the hospital: It’s easier to remove for immediate skin-to-skin and breastfeeding without pulling over IV lines or tugging at straps.
Bring snacks and a decent water bottle: Hospital portions are small, and IVs often mean you’re limited to clear liquids during labour.
Use waiting time productively: If you have a business or tasks to handle, batch small jobs in the hospital. You’ll be surprised how much you can do with focused time.
Accept help from others: It’s okay to let people care for your older kids, cook meals, or tidy up. You need rest and recovery.
Invest in a good breast pump: If you plan to pump regularly, spend on a quality double electric pump. It’s faster and less frustrating.
Book pelvic floor physiotherapy: Early physio helped me recover faster after multiple births. Don’t wait until after you feel “back to normal” — start sooner.
Pack lightly and intentionally: You don’t need three outfits for your baby’s first 24 hours. Bring what’s practical and breathable.
Breastfeeding and Pumping — My Honest Experience
Breastfeeding has been the aspect of postpartum I struggle with most. I’ve had painful experiences, poor latch issues, and overwhelmed milk supply moments across my children. With this birth story, I tried to express colostrum in advance but that’s not always effective. Early milk production can be unpredictable and breast pump flange sizing matters a lot.
My milk didn’t come in as strongly as I hoped because I initially had the wrong flange size for my pump. That made expressing painful and ineffective. I ordered different flange sizes, but by the time I got the right ones the milk supply window had shifted and I was supplementing with formula. Formula supplementation is a personal choice and for me it made the postpartum period better because I could rest knowing the baby was fed and my partner could help with night feeds.
If you’re planning to breastfeed and pump, here’s what I recommend from this birth story:
Meet with a lactation consultant early, ideally in the hospital and then again in your home. Their advice can be specific and practical.
Buy a high-quality electric double pump if you plan to pump regularly. It’s an investment that pays off in saved time and reduced frustration.
Get the right size flange — a custom fit can be the difference between painful sessions and efficient, comfortable pumping.
Be open to mixed feeding. If exclusive breastfeeding isn’t working, supplementing allows you to rest and protects your mental health.
Visitors, Restrictions, and The Measles Reminder
This birth story happened during a time when the hospital restricted visitors due to a measles outbreak, which felt like a time rewind to delivering during COVID for one of my earlier children. Only one extra person besides my partner was allowed. My mom came overnight, which helped a lot, but the kids couldn’t visit. That was tough for them emotionally, especially my daughter who had some tears the week before I left because she wanted to come to the hospital.
My advice: expect that visitor rules can change rapidly during outbreaks. Have a plan for who will be primary support in the hospital and who will stay home with older children. If someone can travel or stay nearby, that helps you rest and lets you focus on the baby. Also, accept that it’s okay if older kids can’t visit; you’ll plan a special homecoming and photos that make up for it.
Heading Home: Adjusting to Being a Mom of Five
Going home after the hospital feels like a victory and an adjustment. The first couple days are usually cushioned with support — friends, family, meals, and help with chores. My best advice from having multiple babies is to accept that help and not feel guilty about it. There will be a time to get back to normal life, but the early days deserve attention and hands-on support so you can rest and recover.
With Orion, the transition felt easier than with my first two kids, partly because I wasn’t exclusively breastfeeding and partly because I have learned to relinquish control. Letting my mother or partner feed him so I could sleep a few extra hours made me a more present mom. The newborn phase is intense but short-lived. Prioritizing sleep, getting help, and protecting your mental health are the best gifts you can give yourself and your family.
Recovery: Physical and Emotional
Physically, my recoveries have generally been straightforward. I credit consistent pelvic floor work and staying active during pregnancy for faster healing. I had minor stitches this time, and my OB commented that many doctors might not have even stitched because the tear was minimal. Postpartum bleeding varied but tapered off as expected.
Emotionally, I haven’t experienced postpartum depression — normal shifts in mood, exhaustion, and adjustment. The thing that helped most was keeping routines that make me feel like myself: getting dressed daily, showering when I can, and carving out tiny bits of time for work that energize me. For anyone reading this birth story who’s worried about postpartum mental health, please reach out early. Call your care provider, ask for lactation support, or talk to a counsellor. Asking for help is practical and brave.
Hard Babies vs. Easy Babies: My Perspective
Every baby is different. I’ve had colicky babies and easy sleepers, and those differences shaped how I approached each postpartum period. For example, one of my children was extremely fussy in the early months and I attributed a lot of that to hunger and milk supply issues at the time. That taught me to watch for feeding cues and to be realistic about milk supply and supplementation.
With Orion, he was generally calm and slept well in the car seat and bassinet. That made it easier to run renovation errands, bring him along to appointments, and keep business work moving. My perspective from this birth story is simple: a baby’s temperament matters, but so does the parent’s flexibility. Plan the best you can, but also be ready to shift and accept help when necessary.
Balancing Business and Baby: How I Made It Work
I run a small digital marketing business, and during this birth story I kept the wheels turning in small ways. I didn’t take on client calls for the full three weeks, but I continued with light tasks — scheduling blog posts, drafting emails, and creating social content. The hospital waiting time is a hidden productivity window if you’re comfortable working on a laptop in that space. It allowed me to take extended time off with less stress.
My top tips for other business owners based on this birth story:
Batch content and schedule in advance before your due date.
Delegate client work or reduce your immediate workload for the first few weeks.
Use waiting time productively if you’re comfortable doing so.
Communicate clearly with clients about your availability and set expectations.
Pelvic Floor and Postpartum Physio: A Short Not
I’m a believer in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Between pregnancies, maintaining strength and getting guided therapy helped my recoveries. I plan to book a session now that I’m far enough postpartum. For anyone reading this birth story, if you’re unsure about diastasis recti or incontinence, early physio can be preventive and restorative. Don’t wait until it’s a problem — address it proactively. Pelvic floor physio is covered by your benefits if they cover any form of physio therapy.
FAQs About Labour & Delivery
How long did your induction take from start to delivery?
My experience with induction usually takes several hours from the start of the oxytocin drip to delivery. For me, the pattern has often been roughly seven hours from when they start increasing oxytocin to when the baby arrives. That includes intake, starting the medication, having my water broken, and waiting for effective contractions and dilation. This timing varies by person and pregnancy, but it gave me an idea of what to expect during this birth story.
Did you get an epidural, and did it help?
Yes, I chose an epidural and it consistently helped me dilate. For many of my births, once the epidural took effect, my body relaxed and dilation progressed more quickly. I will say the epidural doesn’t always numb my right side completely, which can be uncomfortable, but overall it worked in my favor for a faster delivery once it was properly in place.
What did you pack in your hospital bag?
I kept my hospital bag light. Essentials I packed were a strapless bra, a comfortable outfit and pajamas, toiletries, snacks, and chargers. For the baby I packed an outfit for going home and relied on the hospital for diapers and hats. The key lesson from this birth story is that less is more — hospitals provide a lot of basics, so bring only what will genuinely make you comfortable.
How did you handle breastfeeding and pumping?
Breastfeeding was challenging at times. My milk didn’t come in strongly at first partly because I had the wrong pump flange size, which made expressing painful and inefficient. I ended up supplementing with formula while sorting out flange sizes and pump equipment. My advice: work with a lactation consultant early, invest in a high-quality pump if you plan to pump regularly, and be open to mixed feeding if it preserves your wellbeing.
How long were you in the hospital after delivery?
I’m typically in the hospital for about 24 hours after delivery. That’s been my pattern across several births, including this birth story. Some people stay longer depending on recovery concerns or feeding support needs, but our stay was short and focused on the immediate postpartum checks and getting to know the baby.
What tips do you have for partners during labour?
My top tips for partners from this birth story are: bring patience, be ready to nap or do small tasks while waiting, help with snacks and hydration, and advocate for the birthing person’s preferences (like timing practice pushes or calling the OB). Small acts like keeping a calm presence or reminding mom to breathe can make a big difference.
Did you restrict visitors, and how did you handle the kids?
Yes, visitor restrictions were in place due to a measles outbreak, similar to when we delivered during COVID with one of our kids. Only one additional person besides my partner was allowed, so the kids stayed home. My mom helped at home, which made managing older children easier. Plan ahead for childcare and be emotionally prepared if older kids can’t visit the hospital.
How soon did you return to work after the birth?
I eased back into work slowly. For the first few weeks I avoided client calls and heavy commitments, but I did light tasks like scheduling blog posts and batching content. I prioritized sleep and recovery while maintaining small, energizing work routines. Every business owner’s situation is different, but this gradual approach let me protect my postpartum time.
Closing: A Personal Note from My Birth Story
Sharing my fifth birth story feels like sharing a small manual of what worked for me. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are patterns that repeat: induction can be a helpful tool, the epidural can be a turning point, and postpartum recovery is both physical and emotional work. Plan for support, be realistic about breastfeeding and pumping, and don’t underestimate the power of sleep.
This birth story is one small chapter in our family’s life, but it’s part of a larger story about parenting, business, and identity. If you take anything away, let it be permission to make choices that protect your mental health and practical routines that help you keep doing the things that matter.
If this birth story resonated, please share it with a friend who might benefit from a candid look at labour and postpartum. And if you’re chasing small ways to make life and business work together after a baby, keep doing the things that make you feel like yourself — whether that’s getting dressed each day, working on small creative tasks, or reaching out for practical help.
Thank you for reading my birth story. May your delivery, recovery, and first days with baby be what you need them to be — filled with support, rest, and gentle, imperfect love.
Go Get Great 104 Episode References
Come Say Hi!
Ready to level up your life and business taking it from good to great? Check out our Social Media, Email Marketing, or Podcasting Services
Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
If we haven't met yet, hi, I'm Brittany, a mom, mystery buff, bookworm, and DIY home decor enthusiast. I help business owners get seen, loved and paid. If you're looking for support with your social media, email marketing to podcast, click here to learn how I can help.
0:00 Intro
1:40 Newborn cuddles
3:50 My delivery experience with baby 5
4:20 Getting induced
11:00 Getting in the room
15:20 While you're waiting
17:20 Epidurals - yay or nay?
20:10 Dilation & practice pushes
25:00 Baby is born
27:00 Pro tips for postpartum recovery
28:30 Visitors rules this time
30:00 Heading home as a mom of 5
31:30 Recovery
36:30 Hard vs easy babies
38:30 Birthing tips
49:00 Wrap up
Comments