Ever since Morgan’s birth I was looking forward to the birth center picnic because I loved it there so much. September 12th was the big day, and it turned out to be such a gorgeous day. We were sweating in the sun but we enjoyed the band playing and watching all the kids run around.
With Abigail, who was there at Morgan’s birth. She’s a student midwife, and she had started her apprenticeship of sorts about a month before Morgan was born. I remember her learning how to feel for the baby by feeling my belly. Hehe. Also, she saved me the day Morgan was born because I thought we were going to get there before the midwives (it was a Saturday, so the birth center wasn’t open), but blessedly Abigail did get there before us so we were able to go right in. She already had the tub going for me and everything, if I remember correctly… which honestly I probably don’t because details are rather hazy but I’ll just choose to remember it that way. I remember walking right in to the room I had wanted and going right back to my hands-and-knees position on the floor next to the tub, then asking for my birth ball back. Haha. Good memories, seriously. Anywho, since Abigail was still somewhat beginning she mostly observed and helped with little stuff, but I do remember her encouraging me and repeatedly saying how great I was doing/did, which of course helped me feel good.
Us with Ali, who was the midwife on call when Morgan was born. She had let Tanya, the other student midwife who was farther along in the apprenticeship (she started I think soon before we started going there) do the majority of it, but of course she was there helping and making sure everything was good. I really wanted a picture with Tanya since she was the one who actually caught Morgan (with Adrian right there too…she just guided her to protect me from damage), but she wasn’t there. They had all been up past 5 am the night before with a birth, and Ali had returned home to her little kids waking up so she hadn’t slept at all. I guess that’s the life of a midwife. Yipes. Ali was great and so calm that anytime before or after Morgan’s birth I always felt reassured that everything was good and normal. She has a great presence.
Okay, for anyone who has made it this far I have another random thing to share about labor that for some reason I keep thinking about. I was afraid of having a back labor because I knew I wouldn’t be likely to handle it if that were the case. Because of that, as soon as I thought I might be in labor I spent all my time on my hands and knees. Gravity takes some pressure off the back, and can help the baby move into an optimal position rather than pushing on the spine, which is what often causes a back labor. So I went on my hands and knees and rocked in circular motions up and down during each contraction, and I am absolutely convinced that the movement and position is what helped me progress so well. I read up before and knew that position helps open the pelvis. The only time they had me go to my back (semi-sitting) was when I was pushing, and that was because they wanted to slow her down and guide her out more–which was probably really good since she had that hand against her head. Anyway, it worked for me, so it may help someone else out there. You never know!
Thanks for the tip! I’ve been going to the midwives here (my insurance is actually with an HMO, but they have 7 midwives as part of the clinic I visit that share a practice), and have really liked the experience so far. They gave me the option off the bat to start seeing an OB/GYN or the midwives, and I picked the midwives because they do spend more time with you and just seem more approachable (and less likely to do c-sections, which seem to happen really frequently with the drs. here). We don’t have a birthing center or anything cool like that(Illinois is not quite as progressive, I guess), but the hospital here provides lots of birthing options, including water birth. I’ve been reading up on the pros and cons of natural versus epidural lately. I like the idea of going drug free in theory, but I’m worried that I might give in when the pain kicks in, especially since I will be in a place that offers just about any option. I’ve really appreciated your take on natural/water birth–and would really appreciate any more of your insights (either in a comment or via email).
I must say, when you first got pregnant and were talking about the midwife/birthing center thing, I kind of thought it was crazy. BUT, after following your blog through the entire process, my mind opened to the possibility of it. Then I watched “The Business of Being Born” and became convinced that the hospital might be the WORST place to deliver. I started researching birthing centers in the area…just for future reference (I’m not pregnant or anything, I just like to be prepared)…and found one here in Costa Mesa. I’m almost convinced that I’ll use it…EXCEPT, I’m almost 100% sure I’m going to have a huge 10lb+ baby (I totally blame Ryan for that one), so “natural” scares me A LOT. BUT, when the time comes, I will weigh my options…do more reseach an all that.
I’m just really glad you shared your experience because now I feel that when the time comes, I have options. Before this, I wasn’t willing to explore any option that didn’t involve a hospital.
I really wish the midwives here would have been better- I ended up transferring to an OB/GYN because I kept having bad experience after bad experience with them… You are so lucky to have a birthing center nearby! Do you realize how lucky you are?
And I don’t know if I would have gotten through my back labor without being on my hands and knees. That was the worst pain of my life. yikes.
I love your random pregnancy thoughts
keep ‘em coming!