midwifery — STORIES — Not So Private Parts

Most mothers-to-be are wired with the same capabilities and innate womb strength to bring life into the world the way our powerful foremothers did. However, natural childbirth is not eagerly embraced by women with low thresholds of pain or an attachment to modern medicine or technology. Some women have no desire for natural childbirth while other women want the entire experience. I was one of those women.

When my husband and I began to research hospitals, we were not happy with their labor and delivery rooms. They seemed too bright, too cold and too busy. So we were both excited and interested as we researched, consulted with and toured our chosen birthing center.

Soon after, I decided to tell some of our close family and friends about our natural birthing adventure and was met with, “Why would you want to do something like that when you don’t have to?” “Suppose something happens to the baby and there is no doctor around?” The most memorable comment was, “Oh ok… you say that now, wait until that pain kicks in! You’re gonna wish you were in that hospital getting an epidural. “

Nevertheless, we committed, attended classes and monthly exams. Nine months later, my early labor phase gradually turned into active labor. While driving to the birthing center my excited smiles of “it’s time to have a baby” turned into wide-eyed sobering moans. When we arrived at our home away from home, I felt a sense of peace. The center had the comfort level of a bed and breakfast or a cottage.

Once I changed clothes preparing for delivery, the pain became so intense I panicked and wanted to yell, “I changed my mind, I can’t do this!” It was at that very moment when my midwife walked through the door. She reassured me that everything was going according to plan, and then she walked me through my next steps, reminded me of my breathing techniques and we proceeded. She was just the relief I needed.

About six hours after my transition phase began and what seemed like an eternity trying to push out his head, my son was born into a peaceful environment surrounded by family, a midwife and his parents. We were so grateful that we made the birthing choice that was right for our new family. It was such a beautiful experience, we did it two more times.