When I realized I was pregnant again, I happily called the Madison Birth Center and made a prenatal appointment with Aszani. Our son, Sawyer, was born at MBC in February 2004 and we were very pleased with the care we received. I remember my husband saying just minutes after my son was born "Let's have the next baby at home." We researched homebirth and by our twenty week visit, we were convinced that we wanted a homebirth. I ordered the birth kit and birth pool and enjoyed planning and preparing to have our baby in our home.
I experienced a healthy, normal pregnancy, not complicated by nausea like my first pregnancy. I attribute this to being at an ideal body weight prior to pregnancy, eating more of a whole foods diet and believing in God's design for my body to nourish and birth a baby. During this pregnancy, I remembered the intensity of labor contractions and had a more realistic view of labor. I prepared myself by reading books on labor and memorizing Bible verses to meditate on during labor. I was looking forward to a homebirth surrounded by women who honor the female body and respect the work of childbirth that women were created to do.
My mother came to our home one week before my due date. I started my maternity leave and we "nested" that week- running errands, cleaning, cooking and playing outside in the fresh snow with my toddler. I was getting anxious to have the baby and wondered every night when I went to bed if this would be the night of our baby's birth. I was having pre-labor contractions for a couple days and went for long walks in the fresh snow and spent time in a warm pool. Two days after my due date, I went to bed early with my son and woke up at midnight feeling "different". My husband prepared the family room for the birth and went to sleep for a couple hours. I called Aszani to tell her I thought I was in labor. I spent the next hour praying and remembering the Bible verses I'd memorized in preparation for labor. I called Aszani at 1:30 am to tell her I was definitely in labor, but didn't need her to come yet. I got into the bathtub for an hour. At 2:30, my contractions were strong enough I wanted some support and help during them, so I asked Aszani to come and woke up my mom and my husband.
My son was transferred from our bed to sleep the rest of the night with his grandpa. My husband inflated the birth pool and started running water into it. A birth attendant came by 3 am and helped me through some contractions. Aszani soon arrived with another birth attendant. I was glad to get into the birth pool and labor there. My friend, Linda, who I'd asked to be at the birth arrived and took photographs for us. My labor was progressing very quickly, although I didn't realize how quickly. When Aszani checked me I was 8 cm. Soon after I felt the need to push and Aszani told me to go ahead. The feeling of the baby moving through the birth canal was really exhilarating.
Another push and my baby was born into this world. She came up quickly out of the water and into my arms. What elation!
My mother cut the umbilical cord after it had stopped pulsing, I delivered the placenta, and we transitioned to the bedroom. I liked how clean I felt after the waterbirth and I loved being in my own home and being able to go to my own bed right away. Once settled in my own bed, we named the baby- Genevieve Elise "Eva" Harris, named after her grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. Eva latched on easily and has been a good nursling ever since.
Reflecting three months later on Eva's birth, I appreciate the loving, personal care we were given throughout each of our pregnancies and births. (Aszani came to our home for a postpartum visit on Christmas Eve and drove our daughter's blood sample to our local hospital so we wouldn't have to leave home yet.) Each of the midwives took time to discuss my concerns and educate me regarding any questions I had during my pregnancy. Working in health care myself, I am honored that each time I call the birth center, I know the person answering the phone and she knows me- I don't feel like a "number" or "just a patient". I am also grateful for the parenting community fostered by The Madison Birth Center.
My mother came to our home one week before my due date. I started my maternity leave and we "nested" that week- running errands, cleaning, cooking and playing outside in the fresh snow with my toddler. I was getting anxious to have the baby and wondered every night when I went to bed if this would be the night of our baby's birth. I was having pre-labor contractions for a couple days and went for long walks in the fresh snow and spent time in a warm pool. Two days after my due date, I went to bed early with my son and woke up at midnight feeling "different". My husband prepared the family room for the birth and went to sleep for a couple hours. I called Aszani to tell her I thought I was in labor. I spent the next hour praying and remembering the Bible verses I'd memorized in preparation for labor. I called Aszani at 1:30 am to tell her I was definitely in labor, but didn't need her to come yet. I got into the bathtub for an hour. At 2:30, my contractions were strong enough I wanted some support and help during them, so I asked Aszani to come and woke up my mom and my husband.
My son was transferred from our bed to sleep the rest of the night with his grandpa. My husband inflated the birth pool and started running water into it. A birth attendant came by 3 am and helped me through some contractions. Aszani soon arrived with another birth attendant. I was glad to get into the birth pool and labor there. My friend, Linda, who I'd asked to be at the birth arrived and took photographs for us. My labor was progressing very quickly, although I didn't realize how quickly. When Aszani checked me I was 8 cm. Soon after I felt the need to push and Aszani told me to go ahead. The feeling of the baby moving through the birth canal was really exhilarating.
Another push and my baby was born into this world. She came up quickly out of the water and into my arms. What elation!
My mother cut the umbilical cord after it had stopped pulsing, I delivered the placenta, and we transitioned to the bedroom. I liked how clean I felt after the waterbirth and I loved being in my own home and being able to go to my own bed right away. Once settled in my own bed, we named the baby- Genevieve Elise "Eva" Harris, named after her grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. Eva latched on easily and has been a good nursling ever since.
