I have been very fortunate with my pregnancies and my birth experiences. I have two children that are 4 years apart, now 14 and 10. They were both born in St. Louis, MO at home with a doctor. My first labor experience was very long, 22 hours, followed by a quick birth. Two things I remember most is the moment my daughter was born I was overwhelmed with a feeling of love that I had never felt before, it brought me to tears! Secondly, I remember when Shea was born her little lips were already in sucking position. She latched on to nurse right away and we were instantly bonded!
Cody's labor was quicker and I remember being much calmer and in control during his labor. The nurse that helped with his delivery gave my husband ways to help support me through labor pains that made me more comfortable. Shea was not present during delivery, but came within the hour to share in the joy of her new brother. Cody's personality showed through immediately as he was wide awake and checking the world out for almost 6-8 hours after birth. He latched on and was another happy nurser!
Our experience was so wonderful that when my 30-something friends started having babies we got the baby itch and we decided to have one more baby. Lucas was born on my son's birthday exactly 8 years apart. Because we are now in Michigan we had to find a new doctor. There are no doctors who do home births in our area so we started to go the hospital route. Being our 3rd pregnancy the doctor offices expected us to be well informed and I found them rude and harsh about my previous home births which they thought were reckless. My first appointment ended with me in hysterics!
That was when we found our birth center.
There were 3 nurse midwives that we alternated visits with so that we could get to know each of them before delivery date. I chose a center birth instead of home birth because there would be two midwives present at birth and because I wanted access to the many labor and birth options that they had, including the giant birthing tub.
Throughout my pregnancy I looked forward to my visits to the birth center. We drank tea and chatted about how I was coping with work and other children and being in my 30's versus my 20's. I got to know each of the midwives very personally. They were more like friends. We felt comfortable making individual choices about tests and birth options.
On May 30, 2011 I woke up around 7:30am to watch Cody open his presents that we leave at the end of his bed. Hard labor started quickly. I can't tell you how far contractions were apart because I never really understood how to determine. We left by 8am and dropped my son off with my Mom who lives with my sister and picked my sister up. The birth center is a about an hour and a half away. We arrived around 10. The midwives had a warm tub ready for me. After a quick check by one of the midwives they determined that the baby was facing the wrong way. They had me go through several contractions on the bed alternating between on my side, on my knees, and then on my other side. I did this cycle maybe twice and the baby rolled over! Then I had to go to the bathroom. When I went my water broke over the toilet and I had extremely painful contractions, around 11am. This is when I decided I wanted to get in the tub. My contractions were instantly easier in the tub! I could breath and relax my shoulders! I was not comfortable on my knees in the tub though. When I moved onto my back I was supported by a large bath pillow and my bottom was able to float. I was able to start pushing. No one told me when to push or not to, I was following the leads of my body. I stopped and breathed after he crowned and waited for my body to tell me to push again. Then he was born at 11:22am. It was such a gentle birth and I was blessed a third time! Lukey instantly started rooting for milk and nursed like a champ! I held him in the tub while I delivered the after birth. He stayed connected to the placenta for almost an hour getting all the nutrients that other babies don't when they are cut so early. He was examined by the midwives mostly while being held, with the exception of being weighed. We were given warm towels to exit the tub and had a comfy bed to snuggle in with the whole family. When we were ready after lunch another herbal bath was drawn and momma and baby washed off to go home. This was my favorite delivery experience, because it was like delivering at a spa. Our 24 hour and 4 day check up was done at home with a midwife visit.
I only needed a few stitches with Cody's delivery and one with Luke's, I never needed my water to be broken, I didn't need drugs, and I never needed an episiotomy. I am very proud of my experiences, but I was never considered a risky birth. I was always very close to a hospital in case of emergencies and I trusted my doctor and midwives to be aware of complications. I realize this is not for everyone, but I would recommend it for those who are able. We are learning more and more about the hormone oxytocin and it's affect on bonding with our babies after birth. Oxytocin is a natural pain reducing hormone during labor and birth and the production of it can be interrupted with epidurals and cesarean births. I approached my birthing options with the comfort that women had been doing this forever and that it was meant to be a natural occurrence. Research is showing that many times we interfere with this natural process when not necessary especially in the Untied States.
According to an article on parents.com (Schalken), "Birth Customs Around the World," birthing practices are on various points of a large spectrum. The article discusses Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Turkey. In the Netherlands and Germany midwives are encouraged and nearly half of births are at home. Women in Japan tend to be more in the middle of the spectrum, giving birth in hospitals, but refusing drugs such as epidurals due to customs. Brazil and Turkey are at the other end of the spectrum with 25% in Brazil and nearly 75% in Turkey opting for planned cesareans. Incidentally, in Turkey the maternal mortality rate is higher than in other countries with low numbers of c-section surgeries.
I believe that labor and birth is very personal and individual. It should meet the needs of the mother, infant, and family. For this reason a woman should be well informed of options and supported fully in her decision.
references
Schalken, L. (n.d). Birth around the world.
Parents. Retrieved from
http://www.parents.com on November 1, 2013.
