Birth Stories
A Special Letter of Love From a delighted Birth Center Client
Doug and I had been trying to get pregnant for two years when we decided to see if technological intervention might be of help. We started out by using temperature charts, ovulation kits and blood draws; all of which indicated that I had been ovulating. We then moved on to live cultures and laproscopy to check for endometriosis. The final step with my OB/GYN was a hysterosalpingogram, where dye was injected into my fallopian tubes in order to make sure they were open. All of these tests came back fine. At this point my doctor recommended that we see a fertility specialist.
When we spoke to that doctor, he said that we could start with some low-level intervention. We agreed to go "this far". Doug gave me hormone injections for five days; then my ovaries were checked with an ultrasound. When I was finally "ripe", I was given a different hormone in order to ovulate, and artificial insemination was done. During this cycle I was scanned seven times. It was well worth it. I became pregnant the test month! However, I experienced complications and miscarried during the eighth week.
After we went through the above cycle three more times without success, we moved to the next level, G.I.F.T. (Gamma Invitro Fertilization Technique). For two weeks, I gave myself injections in the thigh to prevent ovulation. After that, Doug gave me injections in the hip twice a day, and I injected my thigh once a day. Once I was "ripe", surgery was scheduled. A laproscopy was performed to harvest the "good" eggs. I was given progesterone injections once a day for three months. By the time we finished, I had received over 130 injections for this cycle alone but I was pregnant!
High technology got me pregnant, but my husband and I both knew that the use of technology during pregnancy and delivery had to be a conscious decision, as technology too often takes on a life of its own. Also, it was important that I labor with someone I knew, and not just with the nurse on call. These considerations directed us towards the Birth Center where the midwives and staff worked very hard to help us feel comfortable. When we had concerns, they validated them. They used technology only when necessary for our comfort or our child's safety, and not according to some timetable.
I had contractions for several weeks, but on Thursday night, a week after my due date, contractions began to occur regularly at 15 minutes apart. At 7:00 Friday morning, I decided to talk with a midwife. I called my midwife and told her what was going on; we discussed if I should come in. I wasn't in active labor, but I didn't want to drive the hour to the Birth Center during that stage. My midwife was great! She told me I could come in and if I wasn't far enough along, they'd send me out for a walk or to a hotel. I was also already scheduled for my non-stress test that afternoon, so we just planned to do it earlier. During the drive to the Birth Center, my contractions went to 7 minutes apart.
When we walked in, I greeted my midwife and birth assistant with a big smile. My midwife told me I was too happy to be in labor and we both had a grand laugh about that statement! The non-stress test showed that Darby had an elevated heart rate, which suggested that I was dehydrated.
We talked about going to breakfast so that I could get some food and fluids, but as we talked, my midwife must have seen me wilting. She said, "You're not going to make it to a restaurant, let's hook you up to an IV." That did it! The first contraction after the IV, was serious, it really scared me! I called for my birth assistant, she came in and reassured me that I could do this. That was the only time during the whole delivery that I had doubts, but my birth assistant's telling me I could do it, helped me really believe it. As I labored in bed for a couple hours, either the birth assistant or my midwife came in to give my husband some pointers, checked to be sure I was drinking fluids, and then left us to ourselves. I eventually asked my birth assistant when it would be time for me to get into the Jacuzzi; she told me I could labor where ever and how I wanted. Thinking back, that statement really encapsulated the whole birth experience. I got to say when and how I would labor; I was not tied to hospital rules or a doctor's schedule.
The Jacuzzi was heaven!! Doug poured water over me when a contraction should occur. This reminded me to relax my body. Later everyone asked me if I had had any drugs..yes, I did; but the drugs were actually herbs, lavender in the water and mother's wort (herbal remedy). They were the only "drugs" I needed beyond the support of my husband and the birth assistant.
After about two hours in the tub, my midwife said I needed to think about walking around since the Jacuzzi may have been slowing down my labor. After I got out, my midwife checked my cervix. I heard the excitement in her voice as she told me that I was fully dilated and my water was breaking. Somehow, I had not noticed going through "transition." It was now time to push the baby out. I tried the tub, the bathroom and a standing position, but nothing felt right; I was also very tired. I kept saying, "If I could just rest." As it turned out, my rest lasted two hours. The greatest thing was the birthing assistants actually let me! They didn't say, "You have to push it out now or we'll C-section you." Instead they waited until I said, "Okay., let's do it."
A lot more coherent, I tried squatting and holding onto the bedpost with Doug supporting me, I also tried that with a chair, and eventually used a large ball to sit on while leaning back on Doug. All of these efforts made me feel more confident and in tune with what was going on. My midwife came in and suggested that I try the semi-reclined position. With some help from her, we were able to move the baby past the cervix. That was very painful! They told me it would hurt and it was okay to yell! I didn't have to be brave and quiet for fear that someone would think I needed medication. Pushing Darby out was long and tedious; but my midwife stayed with me and gave me instructions that let me know what type of pushing was useful and when it was productive.
I also remember being told how strong I was and thinking, "Yes, I am strong! Look at all the work I'm doing and I can even do more, so I am strong!" When Darby arrived the first thing I heard Doug say was, "It's a girl." Then my midwife said, "What a big baby, she was 9 pounds and 22 inches and perfectly healthy!"
Did we take a risk having Darby at the Birth Center? Absolutely not! In fact, the risk would have probably been higher at a hospital since my labor did not progress like the "average" labor. I quite likely would have wound up with a C-section. So while Doug and I needed technology to get pregnant, we feel that the support given by the midwives and staff at the birth center was invaluable to help me (and Darby) have a safe and rewarding birth experience.
We
receive many beautiful letters during and after births from our clients,
but this letter was so heart warming and touching, we thought we would
share it with you. Paige & Doug Turner are very special clients. They
tried so hard to have their baby, and we are so proud to have been a part
of the most beautiful event of their lives!
Darby Turner is very special and very much loved by all!
Darby Turner is very special and very much loved by all!
Thank You Dear Nurse-Midwives Staff,
I have spent some time over the past couple of weeks - when I was capable of focusing thought - thinking about all of you at the birth center and what you do every day, but most especially, what you did for me and my family. I so want to express my appreciation, but it goes so far beyond a thank you note. So, anyhow. . .
Thank You
For giving the power to me. The power over my own body and over decisions that affected my baby.
For letting my 2-year-old push the button on the tape measure.
For being knowledgeable and professional and earnest and bringing all of my family over to your side. It's a little scary and overwhelming at first - this natural birth decision.
For allowing us a family birth experience, where the rhythms of who we are naturally lead to the addition of one more.
For telling me I have the stomach of a first time mom (I know you say that to all the pregnant women).
For the words, "Babies keep you guessing," which is the truth, but coming from you allowed me to wallow confidently in my ignorance, knowing I am accompanied by the best.
For promptness in office visits.
For the mystical/magical way you filtered in and out of our labor. There when we needed help. Curiously absent (you have work to do at 2 am?) when we were able to handle it alone.
For remembering our names, and the kids' too.
For letting us make a mess at your house, instead of ours.
For the promise that whatever happened the damage would be less than an episiotomy.
For no damage. You are truly perineal artists.
For a quiet room, for my husband and I and our new baby daughter. Just the three of us. A time too sweet and astounding for words.
For the blood-letting, Jan. I think it was the turning point for us.
For the toys in the closets.
For helping us with the birth of our baby daughter, who has 10 fingers and 10 toes and makes the sweetest little noises and looks into our eyes with the promise of everything that she is to be. And the absolute miracle of her being is enough to let us know that in all of our life, we will never be able to do enough good to make up for this one perfect gift. It is an ethereal business, this birthing of babies and you all have a saintly glow about you from being so close to it each and every day. Thank you for everything.
Another Story
My name is Erin Manning, and my husband Randy and I have had all four of our beautiful little girls at the Birth Center! Each birth was unique, and each one was just as special as the next. Our four girls are: Jolie Chanel Manning (10/27/96), Olivia Carmen Manning (8/7/98), Georgia Grace Manning (1/17/00), and our newest is Sydney Dawn Manning (6/14/02).
Jolie was born with the help and encouragement of Tina London, a real sweetheart who has since moved away from Indiana. I must admit that I was afraid, being the first birth and all, but Tina tenderly led us to that “light” at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. We are forever grateful for her love and patience...
Olivia came into the world after we had spent the entire day on a Friday at the Birth Center. To put it quite bluntly, I was being LAZY! I guess I thought that I had things all figured out, since we had “done this before”. I didn’t move around as much as I should have, so it seemed to take forever. Andrea Dixon was our angel of mercy this time around, and I have to tell you, she was utterly AMAZING. She gave me the power and strength to do this myself, she got me past transition stage with a little Mother’s Wort (thank you Andrea!). She also suggested ever-so-sweetly that I might get in the shower. I did, and after zoning out in there for quite some time, I had progressed and was ready to get back to the bed and push! Andrea made me feel like the most powerful and amazing woman there was at that point! Her words of encouragement and hands-off approach was very empowering, to both me and to my husband. He, of course, “caught” Olivia and was very proud!
Georgia arrived under the watchful eye and helpful heart of the Midwife. After already having two girls at the Birth Center, we were beginning to wonder if we would ever get to have a birth with the Midwife, who owned the Birth Center at the time. Well, we finally did. Unfortunately for her, we came in around midnight! Thank you, Dear Midwife, for your patience and love...
Now for our most recent babe, Sydney. This time we were blessed with the loving and guiding hands of another Midwife. We were only her second birth at the Birth Center since she had arrived! We felt special! Of course, this is not to say that the Midwife was new to this by any means. She had previously owned her own birth center! Randy called the Midwife for me at around midnight, when my contractions were coming at 3-5 minutes apart. She talked to me on the phone, and suggested that we start preparing to come to the Birth Center (about 20 minutes from our home in Brownsburg). We had to call my parents in Mooresville to come up and watch our other three girls. My mom drove up like a madwoman and arrived at our home at 1:45 AM. It was hard for her to watch me in such pain! I basically had to stand up, but slightly bent over. Sitting was excruciating!
Randy loaded me into his Tahoe (have you ever tried to get into an SUV while having a killer contraction???) and drove me as fast as he could. Every bump was like a truck running over my abdomen. I was screaming quite heartily the entire 20-minute trip!
When we got to the parking lot at the Birth Center (at 2:30 AM !) , I thought they would have to roll me inside, because I was sure that I could NOT walk up to the door. After what seemed like an eternity, I made it. The Midwife was so sweet, warm, and welcoming when we got there. We felt like we were home... After I settled in to my ever-so-familiar spot on the Big Bed, my Midwife checked me out and found that I was dilated to 6-7! I couldn’t believe it! Seems like that past three pregnancies, I arrived at about 3 centimeters, so this was going to be a piece of cake, I THOUGHT.
The contractions continued, growing more steady and painful. Of course, those of you out there reading this who have experienced natural childbirth know that when I say “painful”, I mean big-semi-truck-running-over-your-belly painful! The Midwife had such a calming influence on me. I felt like she was praying for my well-being, which made me feel so secure. Knowing that I was not only in her capable and loving hands, but also that of God. My Midwife encouraged me every step of the way! After a couple of hours the Midwife suggested that we break my bag of waters to speed things up (for my sake; I was losing it!!) When she broke the bag, she did it so gently that I didn’t even know she did it. AS expected, my contractions grew stronger, and we were well on our way.
When I finally began to push, I thought that basically my baby would just fly out, since it was baby number four! After pushing and pushing, I couldn’t get Baby to slip under the pelvic bone. I was grabbing onto the headboard of the Big Bed for traction! (I would end up having sore arms for days after). After trying and trying, I looked at my husband calmly (or what I thought was calmly) and said, “You don’t understand. I CANNOT DO THIS ANYMORE!” the Midwife smiled and said, “You CAN do it, you ARE doing it!” She could see Baby’s head coming!
When Baby finally got her head out there, we realized why I had been having such a hard time. She was born posterior (face-up)! UGH. No wonder. Anyway, Randy caught Sydney and cut the cord, as he had done in all three of our previous deliveries. He thinks he could go into practice for himself. He is an amazing Coach and I am forever in awe of his ability to be strong and SANE through all of our deliveries. I love you, Randy.
Dear Midwife, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your truly amazing work. You brought our baby into the world! You guided her along the path to her mommy and daddy, who were waiting for her not-so-patiently. You may not know this, but you are a special part of our lives. We will never forget one single moment of our birth experience!
We will never forget any of the experiences we had at the Birth Center. Barb, Tracy, and Robin are also like members of our family. Tracy, I have never felt so comfortable discussing my breasts with anyone before! Thanks for all of your breastfeeding guidance this time: Sydney is a perfect nurser!
So, to all who have made it this far in reading this story, thank you for reading it. We are glad that we could share our experiences. We hope that we can inspire another family to choose the Birth Center as the place at which to bring their angel into the world!
Brownsburg, Indiana
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us your story of giving birth at the
Indianapolis Women's Health and Childbearing Center.
Please be sure to include your name and phone number.
Indianapolis Women's Health and Childbearing Center.
Please be sure to include your name and phone number.
Nurse Midwives of Indianapolis
Women's Health and Childbearing Center
2110 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46228
Phone: (317) 328-0671
Fax: (317) 328-0674
E-Mail: midwives@indianabirthcenters.com
