My son, Henry, was born in a Long Island hospital in 1998. A few months before my due date, my husband and I started taking classes and filled out a birth plan. We specified exactly how we wanted our birth to be and gave a copy to one of my nine doctors. He said that we didn't really need a birth plan because everything would go too quickly for it to really matter. As far as the classes go, the only thing I remember is lying on the floor, stretching, and wondering how it would possibly help me when it came time for my child to be born.
I had never had a child before, but I was terrified of the unknown-the pain especially. I decided that I would not try to be a superhero and fool around with natural childbirth. My doctors assured me that epidurals were perfectly safe and that it would be very sensible to add that to my birth plan. We did and boy was I glad I had when in the hospital, I heard the woman next door screaming for what seemed like hours. I was glad I wouldn't have to go through anything that horrible! Two epidurals (the first one botched), a bag of pitocin, a threatened c-section and a painful episiotomy later, we had a beautiful baby boy.
Four years later, we walked into the Madison Birth Center and began the journey that has changed my life.
We have struggled with my son's health since he was an infant. With Henry's multiple food intolerances, we have been forced to be aware of the details of health care that most people are able to ignore. I knew that our next baby should be born without medication, but wasn't sure if I could do it. My husband said that it was my decision, that he would support my choice either way. After meeting with Mary for over an hour, I finally understood why Henry's birth had left me feeling so unfulfilled. It wasn't something that I had done--it was something that was done to me. I walked out of the birth center that night, knowing that I would not be having my baby at a hospital.
At 20 weeks, I started having contractions. Aszani sent me to see Dr. Beatse, but agreed to keep me as a client, hoping I would make it to term and deliver at the Birth Center. I did make it and on June 20, Eva Claire was born in the Mary Breckinridge room.
At 10:00 pm, I began having contractions and knew exactly what to do, thanks to the amazing class we had taken at the Birth Center. I went to bed and slept until I was awakened at 2:00 with contractions. I called Aszani at 2:30 am and told her that I was having contractions, three minutes apart and lasting at least a minute. She said that since I live an hour away, I should come in. I said that I thought that I should be in more pain that I was. She said I should come in. I said that I didn't really think I needed to. I said that I was going back to bed and that I would call her later. She said that she trusted me, but that if I wanted to come in and sleep there, I could.
I apologized for waking her up and went back to bed until 4:00 when I woke up with contractions finally worthy of a phone call. Still, I let my husband and midwives sleep and we didn't leave for the Birth Center until 5:30 am.
Aszani trusted me. I trusted me.
We were greeted at the door with a vase of fresh cut flowers, a smile and a hug. We had a mini celebration upon hearing that I was at 8 cm! I got in the tub and quietly dealt with transition while Mary gave me sips of water and Aszani slipped in vital checks without me hardly knowing it. A cold cloth on my forehead kept the heat of the water from overwhelming me and I remember hearing soft suggestions and votes of confidence. At no point did I feel intruded upon or self-conscious. I was completely in control and knew that I was the one having this baby. I also knew that women whom I trusted completely were caring for my baby and me.
My son, Henry, was born in a Long Island hospital in 1998. A few months before my due date, my husband and I started taking classes and filled out a birth plan. We specified exactly how we wanted our birth to be and gave a copy to one of my nine doctors. He said that we didn't really need a birth plan because everything would go too quickly for it to really matter. As far as the classes go, the only thing I remember is lying on the floor, stretching, and wondering how it would possibly help me when it came time for my child to be born.
I had never had a child before, but I was terrified of the unknown-the pain especially. I decided that I would not try to be a superhero and fool around with natural childbirth. My doctors assured me that epidurals were perfectly safe and that it would be very sensible to add that to my birth plan. We did and boy was I glad I had when in the hospital, I heard the woman next door screaming for what seemed like hours. I was glad I wouldn't have to go through anything that horrible! Two epidurals (the first one botched), a bag of pitocin, a threatened c-section and a painful episiotomy later, we had a beautiful baby boy.
Four years later, we walked into the Madison Birth Center and began the journey that has changed my life.
We have struggled with my son's health since he was an infant. With Henry's multiple food intolerances, we have been forced to be aware of the details of health care that most people are able to ignore. I knew that our next baby should be born without medication, but wasn't sure if I could do it. My husband said that it was my decision, that he would support my choice either way. After meeting with Mary for over an hour, I finally understood why Henry's birth had left me feeling so unfulfilled. It wasn't something that I had done--it was something that was done to me. I walked out of the birth center that night, knowing that I would not be having my baby at a hospital.
We were greeted at the door with a vase of fresh cut flowers, a smile and a hug. We had a mini celebration upon hearing that I was at 8 cm! I got in the tub and quietly dealt with transition while Mary gave me sips of water and Aszani slipped in vital checks without me hardly knowing it. A cold cloth on my forehead kept the heat of the water from overwhelming me and I remember hearing soft suggestions and votes of confidence. At no point did I feel intruded upon or self-conscious. I was completely in control and knew that I was the one having this baby. I also knew that women whom I trusted completely were caring for my baby and me.
