#107 | She Faced a 40-Hour Induction and Still Loved Her Birth with Eliana Ghen

2026-06-23

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What if your birth doesn't go according to plan, but becomes even more transformative because of it?In today's episode, actress, filmmaker, and creator Eliana Ghen shares her incredible 42-week induction journey. After being pressured toward an early induction for a suspected IUGR diagnosis, Eliana learned to advocate for herself, trust her body, and ask better questions. That decision ultimately allowed her baby more time to grow and led her into one of the most transformative experiences of her life.What followed...

What if your birth doesn't go according to plan, but becomes even more transformative because of it?

In today's episode, actress, filmmaker, and creator Eliana Ghen shares her incredible 42-week induction journey. After being pressured toward an early induction for a suspected IUGR diagnosis, Eliana learned to advocate for herself, trust her body, and ask better questions. That decision ultimately allowed her baby more time to grow and led her into one of the most transformative experiences of her life.

What followed was a 42-hour labor that tested every mental, physical, and emotional reserve she had. Through Pitocin, Cytotec, Foley balloon induction, relentless back labor, extreme exhaustion, and moments where she believed she couldn't continue, Eliana discovered a level of strength she never knew existed. Her story is a powerful reminder that birth does not have to be perfect to be empowering.

Tune in to hear:

• How a suspected IUGR diagnosis almost led to a 37-week induction
• Why she chose to continue her pregnancy past 42 weeks
• What really happened during her Foley balloon and Cytotec induction
• The truth about Pitocin and whether it made contractions more painful
• How mindset preparation changed her entire labor experience
• The fear release exercises that helped her stay grounded
• Why back labor became the biggest challenge of her birth
• The moment she nearly chose an epidural
• How her husband helped her avoid a decision she wasn't ready to make
• What happened when her water was finally broken
• Why pushing felt completely different than labor
• The surprising pain-free ending after 42 hours of labor
• How birth transformed her confidence forever
• Her advice for women facing induction
• Why empowerment matters more than any specific birth outcome

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