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The Story of My Baby |
For several months, I had considered changing doctors because the one I
was going to was not open to how I wanted to experience the birth
of my child. He insisted on medical interventions that I felt would
be unnecessary or undesirable compared to the alternatives. For example,
he said that the cord must be clamped and cut immediately to prevent
anemia or jaundice, depending on where the baby was in relation to
the placenta. He also said that 95% of women need an episiotomy and
in the delivery room he could not even wait for my husband's or my
consent before doing one. That was my main concern. In our birth plan,
we did not exclude any medical procedure entirely. We stated our desires,
but also stated that if the plan couldn't be followed we wanted the
doctor to ask our consent before doing the intervention. We even had
a clause that said if the situation was life or death, we understood
that our consent would not be sought and that he should do whatever
was necessary. If he couldn't agree with this plan, imagine all the
things we hadn't thought about putting into the plan that he was going
to do during the birth.
After a visit to the local hospital's birthing floor, I was very discouraged.
They had mentioned that it had been a slow day for births that particular
day. Later in the visit when we wanted to look at a post-partum room
we were told that all the private rooms were filled. We were also
told that if we were unable to get a private room when we delivered
that the baby would not be allowed 24-hour rooming in. Also, my husband
would not be allowed to stay overnight if we were in a semi-private
room. If we went with the hospital, we were going to be forced to
stay at least 48 hours and yet we were most likely going to be separated
from each other because if all the private rooms were booked on a
"slow" day, then you can assume your chances at a private
room were small indeed. Also, in the hospital they have to monitor
you with at least an external monitor for a portion of every hour.
They also said that they had to take the baby away from the mother
immediately following birth to clean it up and perform some tests.
All these things did not sit well with us.
I kept convincing myself not to change doctors "this time".
I dislike change. I had learned in my childbirth classes that tension
can slow labor and increase your pain. I thought if I changed doctors
I would be increasing my tension and I didn't want the effects of
that on my childbirth experience. I also felt fated to give birth
at the hospital because I only saw two options - hospital or home.
I didn't want a home birth because I wanted all options open to me
and my child. If we needed a medical intervention, I wanted it to
be readily available. I would not have been comfortable at home so
home was not an option I seriously considered. That meant that the
hospital was my only choice.
On Tuesday, August 4th, I called Barbara to ask her a few questions
about the childbearing center she owns. (I forgot to tell her that
I was 39.5 weeks pregnant until we were a few minutes into the conversation
- oops.) I knew that if I went there I would be changing birth attendant
and place, but the tension I was feeling about delivering with my
doctor at the hospital made me think it might be better to experience
the tension of newness and the unknown than to risk all the things
I knew I didn't want. I was told I was going late and I believed it
so even though I was due on Friday, I made an appointment to check
out the childbearing center on Thursday evening, August 6th at 5
p.m. After the tour, my husband and I decided that we wanted to birth
out child there. Barbara did an exam and gave us the numbers to reach
her when the time came. Little did we know just how soon we would
be using them.
On Thursday, I had been experiencing some back pain, but wasn't sure
if they were contractions. I wasn't feeling them in my belly at all
so I convinced myself this was just some pregnancy pain and used a
hot rice bag to ease my discomfort. I was planning on packing my bags
for the upcoming event but decided I would do that on Friday since
I really wanted to get my hair cut and I was, of course, going late.
After visiting the childbearing center, my husband and I went out
to eat. I wasn't really hungry but it was late and I knew I must eat.
I timed my back pains for the fun of it and they seemed to be 35-50
seconds long and about 10 minutes apart but I still thought it was
my imagination. I looked for the stopwatch since I knew we would be
needing it in a week or so. When I found it, I discovered it needed
batteries. I put it in a Ziploc bag so that my husband or I could
get batteries for it on Friday. I sat down to watch my favorite movie
while my husband and his brother moved some things into a truck. After
the movie, my husband and I tried to go to bed, but I couldn't sleep
because of my back pains. I tried to handle the labor alone since
I figured I wasn't far into it and my husband was going to help me
later with it. I tried walking, hot showers, and different positions
by myself. I wanted him to be well-rested just in case this really
wasn't labor and he still had to go to work in the morning. I finally
woke him up and told him I needed his help.
Back labor was very hard for me, but Greg made me much more comfortable.
He used a back rub and counter-pressure we had learned about in our
birthing class. I used two different positions at home. Either I would
sit on the toilet and not want to be touched at all or I would lie
on the bed with Greg doing the back rub and counter-pressure. Greg
was wonderful. He had to pack my bags for the center between my contractions,
yet every time I needed him he was right there in seconds. I trusted
him completely to be there any and every time I needed him. I also
experienced some vomiting so he would be rubbing my back and then I would say
that I thought I was going to throw up and he would have to run to get the trash
can. You are not supposed to move during a contraction but if one was especially
intense I would move from the toilet (where I could handle the lighter
contractions by myself) to the bed, yelling "Greg, I need you." Greg was
packing my bags, timing contractions with a digital clock, doing the back rub
and counter-pressure, reminding me how to breathe and relax, and staying on
top of everything else. I couldn't have made it through labor without him.
When contractions got to about 3-4 minutes apart, Greg called Barbara. Barbara
tried to talk to me also but I went into another contraction and couldn't talk.
They decided to have me go to the childbearing center about 6AM. Greg was able
to somehow load up the car with all our stuff in between my contractions. He then
walked me out to the car and got me settled. He drove really slowly to the center.
I was worried about a set of railroad tracks we were going to have to cross but
his driving was perfect. It was a very smooth ride there. As soon as we got there,
I went straight to the bathroom. Greg got me pillows behind me just like we had at
home. Barbara checked the fetal heartbeat and said everything was going well. I
moved to the bed and Barbara said she wanted to check me. I asked if I had to be
on my back because I knew I wasn't going to be able to do that. She said that she
could do it with me on my side and I allowed her to do it. I was at 4cm. In class
we were taught not to be discouraged by the numbers but I must admit I got
discouraged. At the doctors appointment on Monday I had been 2cm. I went through
several more stints at the toilet and on the bed. Greg was always there making
me comfortable. Barbara checked the fetal heartbeat occasionally, but always asked
first so as not to startle me and she always stopped if I started into a
contraction. She was very patient. Deidre, the nurse, came and was introduced to
me. I was pretty into myself at that point so I didn't really care who was there.
All vitals that needed to be taken were always done wherever I was and in whatever
positions I was in.
Greg asked if we could move to the whirlpool. Barbara said that that was a good
idea. When I felt up to it, we moved. I don't remember moving or getting into the
pool but once there the jets on my back were great. I stayed there with Greg
right behind me. Deidre and Barbara took the baby's and my vitals every so often,
but they always requested to do them. I really hated lifting my belly from the
water to let them listen to the baby's heartbeat, but they were very patient and
let me life when I felt able. They ended up eventually using a fetoscope when the
lifting was too much because the contractions were so close together. The
contractions seemed to get worse then and I couldn't relax and stay in control. I
began yelling, screaming and thrashing around. After a few seconds, I would get
in control, but Greg had to help me a lot and even then it was not a good control.
Barbara offered me some different positions but I didn't want to move. She asked
if she could check me and I consented. She said I was ready to push. I was very
happy about that because that's where the pressure was. I also started feeling the
contractions in my belly for the first time. I pushed with each contraction by
doing a kind of backbend. My feet were planted on the pool's bottom and my arms
were around Greg's back and neck behind me. I would arch and push. Everyone in the
room was very encouraging and telling me how wonderful I was doing. At the time, I
thought they were all the biggest bunch of liars on the face of the earth. I did not
feel like I was doing well and whenever I felt strong enough I let them know how I
felt. In reality, their comments were exactly what I needed because I wasn't
confident at all. Barbara told me that the head was out, but it didn't feel any
different to me. I tried to push the baby out with the next contraction but it
frizzled out. The next few contractions seemed to last forever because I could push
and push and push and it was still going. I got tired of resting it seemed and I
just wanted the birth over with. I pushed with all my might each time. I felt a
slight release and then a weight on my chest. They told me I had a baby. I couldn't
believe it. The whole time I was pushing it felt that they were lying to me about
the progress. I would have believed I had just had a bowel movement more than that
I had just had a baby. I asked if the baby was a boy or a girl and was told I could
look. I just couldn't open my eyes. They told me she was a girl and then my eyes
opened and I looked down and she was looking up at me. She was beautiful. I couldn't
believe it. It seemed too much like a dream. All my contractions had stopped, I had
forgotten about all the pain and here was my baby stuck (literally because of the
vernix) to my chest.
Here I get a little fuzzy. Here is what I remember. I wanted to wait a few minutes
before trying to push out the placenta. Greg and the baby went out to have her
weighed and cleaned up a bit. After they returned, I was helped to turn width-wise
in the whirl-pool so that I could brace my legs on the other side. They gave me my
baby girl to nurse to help expel the placenta. She wasn't interested but I suddenly
could feel a contraction coming on. I asked someone to take her because I knew I
wanted to sink down into the water. Greg took her and I pushed with the contraction.
I felt the placenta separate and come out. It was a really good feeling. I was
unable to feel my baby come out; I just felt pressure. This was different. It felt
wonderful.
Greg, the baby, and I were back in the bedroom area and we recovered together. It
was a very special bonding time for just the three of us. We all went home about
9 hours after the birth. We waited that long because I kept feeling faint because
I hadn't eaten anything real recently and I threw up during labor. I also have low
blood pressure. Everyone at the center was very helpful and it was a real blessing
to Greg and the baby with me at all times.
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Snowy Day Delivery |
Our Family's Birth Experience at Expectations Women's Health and Childbearing Center
When I first knew that I was pregnant with our second child, one of the first thoughts that came to mind was that I wanted to experience this baby's birth in a setting other than that of a hospital. Our first child's birth tool place in a hospital, where unnecessary invasive measures and a tertiary focus resulted in serious maternal complications ( a postpartum pelvic abscess and a fractured coccyx). In addition, prior to our baby's birth, the staff at the hospital ridiculed our family's birth plan and initially refused to include it in our chart. The entire ordeal was traumatic for our family, and we knew that we did not want to go through anything like that again. KNowing that childbirth was meant to be a healthy and joyous process, I yearned for this type of experience.
Being health care professionals, my husband, Vatche, and I began an intensive search for a safe, competent, and caring place in which to give birth. We desired a setting that was managed by a certified nurse midwife (CNM), utilized an inter-disciplinary approach to care, and had the appropriate back-up system. We live in Fort Wayne, and we learned that there are no free-standing birth centers in Fort Wayne and that there was not one CNM who was practicing in the community. Needless to say, we knew that we would have to search elsewhere in order to have the type of birth we desired.
We first learned about expectations from a CNM who was practicing in a hospital in another city. We were eager to tour the birth center, so we called and made an appointment to meet with Barbara Bechtel, CNM, MS. Barb welcomed us to the center, which was in the process of opening, and she gave us a tour and shared with us about her professional experience and her philosophy of maternity care. We also had the opportunity to meet Donna Wilkins, MD, the centers neonatologist. We were impressed with what Barb and her staff were doing, and after a few weeks of pondering our options, we let her know that Expectations Women's Health and Childbearing Center was where we wanted to experience our baby's birth. For the remainder of my pregnancy, we regularly raveled the 90-minute one-way drive from our home to Expectations for prenatal care. I alternated prenatal visits with a health care provider in Fort Wayne for the dates that we did not travel to Muncie.
The personalized, holistic care given to us by Barb and her staff was excellent. Barb always took the time to answer any questions and make us feel welcome. She recommended a monitrice to help support me during the birth process, and we were glad to meet Lori Lloyd on one of our visits and arrange for her to attend the birth. On another visit, we met with the center's dietician, Patty Russel, RD. We also attended childbirth and sibling classes that were very informative and family-centered. Helpful literature on pregnancy and childbirth and well baby care was also provided. Toward the end of my pregnancy, we met Debbie Heck, MD, one of the family practice physicians. We enjoyed our prenatal visits and looked forward to the time spent at Expectations.
Our baby was due around Christmas. Well, Christmas came and went, and our baby just decided to stay put for a while. On December 27, 1998, I began to have fairly regular contractions, but they subsided after several hours. It was not until the afternoon of January 2nd that I knew I was in early labor. What perfect timing. Vatche was on-call, and a snow storm was brewing outside, with 12 inches of snow expected by nightfall. A snow storm advisory was issued earlier that day, and travel on the hi-ways was strongly not advised. After Vatche made it home that evening, an ambulance came to our home and offered to transport me to the local hospital, since we could not even get out of our driveway. I truly wanted to make it to Expectations and knew that if we could just clear our driveway and be assured that the highway was accessible, we could make it. The road crews refused to plow us out due to potential damage that their equipment could incur. Our neighbors came to the rescue at 11 PM with their snow blower. Vatche and I got into our van and began the trip to Muncie, driving a steady 25 to 30 miles per hour on the highway.
The midnight sky had a soft pink glow that warmed the horizon, and somehow I had such a sense of peace that all would be well. (My husband later confided to me that with every contraction I experienced, he would press the gas pedal just a little harder.) Snow drifts would blow across our path, making it difficult at times to see the road in front of us. It took us over three hours to reach Expectations, but we arrived safe and sound in the early morning hours of January 3, 1999. Barb greeted me at the door with a hug and helped us settle into our room. She asked if there was anything specific that I would like to eat or drink during labor. Her husband, Tim, kindly offered to go out and bring back some fruit, vegetables, and juice.
I wanted very much to have a water birth experience. Being in the water was truly soothing for me and facilitated the birth process without the use of any medications. Barb, her nurse, Deidre Sommers, LPN, and Lori were there for me every step of the way. My vital signs and the baby's heartbeat were regularly monitored. It took me a few hours to reach active labor. I actually had to work through a number of steps psychologically before I could move into active labor. Barb performed a painless manual technique to facilitate the process by separating my amniotic membrane from around the cervical os. Things progressed steadily from there. Barb and Lori guided me with peaceful imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, and vocalization. My husband offered me verbal encouragement, and he and Lori regularly applied counter-pressure to my sacrum during the contractions. The buoyancy of being in the water where I could freely move and the warm pressure of the Jacuzzi's jet streams on my back greatly eased my discomfort. I occasionally experienced severe muscle spasms and sciatic nerve pain which were very difficult for me to bear. The supportive presence of these people and their consistent approach made a tremendous difference in how our sons birth took place. I could endure the pain because I felt secure and embrace. A peaceful sense of knowing that all would be well prevailed.
AS I moved through transition, I felt my membranes rupture. This was a very intense time of labor for me. I was solely focused on the contractions and making it through each one. I kept reinforcing to myself that the intensity was temporary and I would soon be holding our precious baby in my arms. Not long after this, I felt a tremendous urge to push. The intensity was unreal. I was in awe of what my body could withstand to bring a child into the world. With the second push, the baby's head crowned, and with the third push, our son, David Michael, was born at 1:32PM. What an awesome moment. David was beautiful to behold, so peaceful and whole, pulsating with the gentle strength unique to a newborn. He weighed eight pounds, and he was 19 inches. A deep sense of fulfillment and accomplishment filled my heart. My husband cut our baby's umbilical cord. Expulsion of the placenta occurred shortly thereafter. I moved back into our room and la down for a quick check of the perineum. I did not require any sutures. After breastfeeding David for the first time, I took a relaxing shower. My husband and I shared a healthy meal together, and then we settled down for a long-awaited nap with David beside us. We were so relieved to have had such a healthy, uncomplicated, and joyous childbirth experience.
Due to the weather conditions that afternoon, Barb was gracious in offering to have us spend the night at the birth center. It was wonderful to hold David in a cozy chair beside the warmth of the fireplace and enjoy the beautiful holiday lights that decorated the living room, while the snow fell softly outside, I will always cherish that memory.
The next day, after David was examined by the neonatologist, we drove home to the warm embrace of our two-year old son, JOseph, and my mother, Blanch, who lovingly supported us with her presence and care for Joseph and our home and all of our pets. Joseph and Mom were thrilled to hold David. What a great moment together.
I cannot adequately express how meaningful it was to our family for the staff at Expectations to provide such professional care and expertise in an atmosphere of compassion and support throughout the course of my pregnancy and during our son's birth. Our experience at Expectations was simply "the best". Our family could not have asked for more. We greatly appreciate all that Barb and her staff have done for us, and we highly recommend their services!
The Israbian Family
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Birth Experience |
Birth Story - July 26, 1999
Having had a difficult and trying birth experience in the hospital with my twins, Christopher and Chloe, in January of 1996, I was eager to try something new and different this time around. Expectations was not only new and different, but also challenging and intriguing. From the moment I entered the home/hospital and met Dr. Heck and her associates, I felt Ihad made the right decision toward a more natural and comforting birth experience for both my baby and me. What could be more natural and comforting than a water birth?
Although natural, not so comforting were my first contractions begining around 5:30pm July 25, and continuing irregularly until about 8pm when I called Dr. Heck and she decided I should be checked. So, with all my previously prepared baggage, not unlike a stay for a night at a motel, I met Dr. Heck thiry minutes later at Expectations. The verdict: only 2 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced with contractions 5 to 7 minutes apart. So it was back home for me to wait until I was to uncomfortable to be at home.
Eventually by 1am my water broke and with contractions from 1 to 2 minutes apart and getting harder, it was back to Expectations. Despite my discomfort, I was still only dilated 3 centimeters -- Things were going very slowly. With my contractions getting worse all I could do was concentrate on my breathing and search for distractions like walking thoughout the house and talking with supportive friends and staff. By 4am, and still dilated only 4 centimeters, I sought solace in the water. It really helped, even though things still didn't progress as quickly as I had hoped.
Finally, after a couple of really exhausting hours of labor, largely due to the fact that I began to get frustrated and tired and afraid that I was not coping well under the circumstances (no epidural like with the twins!), I eventually became fully dilated by 8:30am. Three really concentrated pushes and at 8:41 Emma was out of my belly and into my arms. At last! I felt such incredible relief and joy at seeing my beautifully clean, healthy, serene little girl emerge from the water. Not a peep from her! Eyes wide open.
It was so different from the hospital experience. No one took my baby from me. I just laid her on my breast kissing her and holding her close. It was so very special. I surrendered her only long enough to be weighed and measured: 8 lbs 11 ozs./ 20.5 inches. And then, lying together, alone in the beautifully decorated bedroom afterward before going home to the twins, now 3.5 years old and rambuncions to say the lesat, Emma and I had the most beautifully quiet time to get to know each other and bond in a way that I had not know with Christopher and Chloe. I was especially thankful for this time -- the main reason I had chosen Expectations.
To date, Emma has turned out to be the sweetest littel baby, in form and temperament, sleeping and nursing well. Although, no matter how quiet and content she may be sitting in her bouncy chair or swinging, I can hardly stand to set her down. I couldhold her all day long! She is truly a little angel! I'm so glad I chose water birth at Expectations. It was everything special I'd hoped it would be for both Emma and me.
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Expectations
Women's Health
and Childbearing Center
1506 W. White River
Blvd., Muncie, IN 47303
Phone: (765) 281-9497
Fax: (765) 281-9498
E-Mail: midwives@indianabirthcenters.com
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