My husband and I began by taking the birthing classes. Through those classes we got to know Aszani and Mary. We were undecided about where to have our baby when we were taking those classes. We had explored several options including home birth and we had interviewed midwives for that type of support. We didn't have the full comfort level, I guess, in doing a home birth, and we were seeking something different than a typical hospital birth. I guess you could say that the birth center was in between a home birth and hospital experience.
I had a vision of how I wanted to feel and the environment I wanted to be in, and we achieved that at the birth center. It was a feeling of safety and almost like a spa experience. The lights were very low, we brought our own natural music and we created the experience we sought in having a water birth. This is why we chose the birth center; it matched the vision I had for giving birth.
My due date was July 4th. I went into labor at 11:45 p.m. as the fireworks were going off. We didn't know that it was active labor, but my husband said he thought that it was. We drove to the birth center. Aszani was at the door to meet us with a very quiet welcoming approach. She had called all of her support staff and I was immediately in hard labor. Two and a half hours later Marina Pearl was born at about 3 a.m.
After she was born, Aszani put her on my chest in the tub. This was so special and intimate. We left the umbilical cord attached and this is a gentle way to introduce your baby to the world. The tub was our private nest, like a protective space around us. We didn't feel on display.
Follow-up care has been constant and reassuring. I was having questions about breastfeeding as I had never done this before. Marina was breastfeeding, but not as effective as it could be. Aszani and Mary's continuing concern and attention put me at ease.
The New Parents Group has been good for us. I know it's a safe place to be where I can do my thing with her, and it's like a little outing for us.
No one talks about the positive sides of birth and how intimate and spiritual the experience can be. I'm talking about it now I guess. You don't have to be scared. Just get informed and with information you can make reasonable decisions.
My husband and I began by taking the birthing classes. Through those classes we got to know Aszani and Mary. We were undecided about where to have our baby when we were taking those classes. We had explored several options including home birth and we had interviewed midwives for that type of support. We didn't have the full comfort level, I guess, in doing a home birth, and we were seeking something different than a typical hospital birth. I guess you could say that the birth center was in between a home birth and hospital experience.
I had a vision of how I wanted to feel and the environment I wanted to be in, and we achieved that at the birth center. It was a feeling of safety and almost like a spa experience. The lights were very low, we brought our own natural music and we created the experience we sought in having a water birth. This is why we chose the birth center; it matched the vision I had for giving birth.
After she was born, Aszani put her on my chest in the tub. This was so special and intimate. We left the umbilical cord attached and this is a gentle way to introduce your baby to the world. The tub was our private nest, like a protective space around us. We didn't feel on display.
