Baby Thomas
When I found out that I was pregnant for the 4th time, I was ecstatic. Almost immediately, I started thinking about who I would go to for care. Each of my previous 3 pregnancies were handled differently. My first pregnancy in 1999 was with a Doctor. My “birth plan” that included a drug free labor went out the window. I could write a book about that experience at “one of the best hospitals in San Diego”....
Shortly after the birth of my first son, I became a doula. I wanted to help do my part to make sure that no other woman would be laughed at when she said she wanted a drug free labor. In 2002, I became pregnant again, and knew this time things would be different.
I gave birth to my second son in a birth center in San Diego, surrounded by strong beautiful women who were all my friends in the birthing world. 2 midwives, 2 doula’s, a wonderful nurse, my3 year old son, and husband at the time were all there. I labored and gave birth without being poked or prodded. I was encouraged when I felt weak. I knew this was how birth should be. My third pregnancy occurred in 2006. I immediately researched midwives in the area.
I found one that I really loved. It didn’t even occur to me to ask where she delivered. I didn’t know that Las Vegas doesn’t have birth centers. So, it wasn’t until I was near my due date that I found out I would deliver in a hospital. I was disappointed, but knew that I would be okay. My third son was born at UMC. I was able to labor naturally. They respected my wishes, but he spent 3 hours in the nursery because he was “a large baby” (9lbs. 3oz. lol ) They were worried about his sugar or some crap. I was too exhausted to argue, but I had to send my husband to demand our baby back. I cried.
When I found out that I was pregnant for the 4th time, I really had anxiety. I seriously considered spending my last weeks of pregnancy back in San Diego, so that I could give birth in the birth center where my second son was born. That’s when I decided that the only way I could get exactly what I wanted was to give birth at home. While researching cloth diapers, I found the WRM website. I called and set up an appointment to meet Sherry. I fell in love with her right away. I really looked forward to my visits with her. I could talk as long as I needed to.
My husband felt comfortable and could ask as many questions as he wanted to. He often talked about his worries or anxieties with Sherry and Tiffanie. He was anxious about birthing at home. When my labor started several days after my “due date”, we called and let Sherry know. Adam (my husband) was calm and set up the birth tub. He watched me have contractions and knew it was time to call Sherry, even though I told him it was too early.
Sherry and Tiffanie arrived around 1am. My contractions were getting strong, but I was still coping well. I got in the tub shortly after and labored in there for a while. I remember seeing Sherry watching me. Just the calm look on her face reassured me that my body was doing what it was supposed to do. I got out of the tub for a while and Tiffanie gave me a wonderful massage. My contractions became very strong. I knew it wouldn’t be long, so I got back in the tub. I remember Sherry telling me to try to feel my baby with my fingers. I didn’t have the urge to push, but she suggested that I try to push through the pain. Within a minute or two, his head was really beginning to show. My husband helped to deliver his head.
Sherry stayed back until we asked her to help us. She gently took over and got his shoulders out. Adam took over and gently helped our baby the rest of the way out. I quickly snatched him away from Adam and placed him on my chest. Little Linkin was looking around and I rubbed his back to encourage him to take deeper breaths. He quickly was starting to cry in my arms. I held him there until his cord was ready to be cut. Adam cut the cord. When I was ready to get out of the tub, Adam took off his shirt to hold Linkin against his skin. Sherry and Tiffanie helped me take a quick shower, and I got in bed to nurse Linkin.
After he nursed, they did the newborn exam. Adam got to be the one to weigh him. 8lbs. 8oz. A beautiful, healthy, happy baby boy, born into his daddy’s hands and quickly snatched away by his momma! Sherry made several home visits within that week. Even though Linkin lost quite a bit of weight, Sherry was confident that he would be fine. He was jaundiced, like my 3 other boys were, and I confidently cared for him. He was cared for by his momma and his daddy with help from a wonderful midwife and doula. There is no other way to birth in my opinion. I will be forever grateful to Sherry and Tiffanie for their presence in my life during this time.
