Birth Questions

Hi Eli,

Jean is wonderful! I took her "Birthing From the Heart" class to prepare for my second child, and found it to be priceless!! I would also recommend having a doula with you for support. I had Mary Michaud (www.doulachickie.com, ###-###-####) and she was my angel!!! I would NEVER give birth without a doula again!!

Good luck for a safe & healthy delivery! You can do it!!

:-) H.

Nope, doulas can't take Medicaid as far as I know. But there are plenty who will barter for services, and usually plenty of doulas in training who would happily work with you for free.

L. King, CCCE, CLD
www.ajoyfulbirth.com

I delivered my first with Jean in Denton, and will deliver my second there in February. She is a fabulous midwife, highly skilled. I am a chiropractor and a doula, so I knew exactly what I was looking for, and Jean is it. Have you considered a doula to help you manage the labor? The choice of a midwife in a birth center means that you know who will be delivering your child, and she will be present much more than an OB or General Prac. Since the birth starts naturally, and you are allowed to do almost anything to cope with the pain, the need for an epidural goes down drastically. There will be times that you'll want one, but you will get through it. Do not let others scare you into making a decision. Unless you are at a hospital with an anesthesiologist on staff 24 hours, your time between decision and cut during an emergency C-Section will be the same whether you need a transport to the hospital, or if you need to wait for a doctor to get there. Many are confused and think that a high intervention birth is equal to a safe birth, the science is not there to support that. Feel free to contact me with more concerns at ____@____.com Best Regards, S. Kahmann

I bet you will have a wonderful birth! A natural birth can truly be an empowering, peak life experience and rite of passage. I had my first child in the hospital with an epidural, and after that, decided never again... I just didn't like the feeling of being out of control and not "involved"- it felt like I was watching it happen rather than experiencing it to me. I didn't like not being able to move into any position and felt claustrophobic from that lack of autonomy.

My second child I had in a birth center with a midwife (I saw Jean for some of my prenatal care!- although she wasn't the midwife who caught my son) and my third child I had at home with a midwife. I absolutely loved being in labor and giving birth with my second and third children... I would love to get to do it again.

I looked forward to labor and birth. It was a joy to me. My experience and passion for birth are what led me to becoming a childbirth educator and doula. I love to help others experience some of the same positive feelings I enjoyed myself.

D. Ray
http://www.cherishbirth.com

Eli,
Hi I am a labor and delivery nurse and have been for over 12 years. I think having a natural birth with a midwife can be very beautiful and a wonderful experience. You may want to try to prepare a bag and bring some things to your delivery that may help you relax and concentrate when needed. Soothing music is always nice. A back massager (can use a tennis ball in a sock), hard candy for dry mouth, maybe some cards or a game to help as a distraction in early labor. Do they have a birthing ball at the center? Those can work very well. Getting into water can help ease "pressure". Sometimes walking and repositioning can help. A big help I find is having a really supportive husband/significant other/friend that can give you reassurance when you get tired and don't think you can do it anymore. These are only a few ideas. Best of luck on your upcoming delivery.

I had epidurals with both of my kids....I would recommend having your baby somewhere that it is an option if you choose. If you are dead set against the epidural then you are probably fine, but child birth to me was very painful. Now I am a softy so don't let me scare you, but you may just want to keep your options open. Is there a facility with that option that your mid wife has priveledges with? I might check into it just in case...

I had both of my children at the birth center in Dallas. Jean was there for my first, and she is awesome. If you are at all interested in a natural birth, the birth center is the way to go. Learn all you can through your child birth class (I took Bradley Method) and other sources, and you are fully prepared to birth your child naturally, with the help of the midwife. I have never second guessed my choice, and it changed my outlook on life, and how I feel about my body and myself as a woman. Good luck as you prepare for the most amazing day of your life!

You will be in wonderful hands at he Birthing Center. Jean and her staff are very understanding and compassionate and have a true passion for natural birth. One of the best ways to prepare is with Jean's Birthing from Within courses or a Bradley Method course. Just remember to practice, practice, practice, your relaxation techniques which ever ones you choose. I also cannot stress how important a supportive partner is during all of this. It was very helpful with my birth knowing that my husband supported me and believed that I could have a natural birth. FYI...just to ease your fears, I was one of the small percentage that did have to be transported to the hospital from the birthing center. The back up Dr. that Jean uses is fantastic and follows much of the same philosophy about birthing that she does. My son was born in February and I ended up leaving the birthing center and went to presby hosp. The dr used forceps to help me deliver and I still had the birth experience that I wanted (unmedicated). Jean went to the hospital with me and stayed for the birth. I cannot even begin to say how great she is, you will have an AWESOME experience. Best wishes!!
C.

I had both of my girls natural I was totally against drugs and had signs made to hang on the door. It is a mind thing as well as a control thing. You have to know that you can do it and only have postive people around you. My labors were both long long long. you can do it your midwife will be your rock. Good luck

I had all three of mine at a birthing center in Dallas (near Baylor). I wouldn't have done it any other way. The midwife who delivered my first was also Jean (I think she may be the same Jean you have). Our birthing class instructor told us that by the time you get to the point in the labor and delivery to want an epidural, it's too late. You've done the hard part and the baby is coming soon after that point. Just remember your relaxation exercises and think of your beautiful baby you are about to meet. The best thing for us was to labor as long as possible at home, even though the center was nice, calm and relaxing, being at home is more comfortable. Good luck and congratulations!

I have had two children with midwifes and I believe its the only way to go. The whole experiance was wonderful for me and I didn't ever wish I had the option of medication to numb the pain. I think it helped knowing that having an epidural just wasn't an option, midwives help you focus on having the baby rather then the pain. I also choice a midwife due to all the horror stories that I heard from my friends who had baby's in hospitals. I just don't think its natural. I always love to hear when mom's choose a midwife. Good luck!!

I had my daughter in the hosp with an epidural. It was wonderful to not be in pain. I had to do plenty of pushing to get her out. I tore pretty bad while getting her out and had to get stitches. I didn't have to feel any of that. I had a mirror to watch her being born. I got to see everything. It is really neat and it gives you such motivation when you can see the progress of crowning. What ever you decide, I pray you have a safe and healthy delivery.

M.

Hi, I had my first son all natural, no pain meds or nothing! It was of course, painful, but I don't regret it at all! My husband made me a nice relaxing cd (although I got to a point where I wanted it turned off!) I did try sitting in a warm shower with my hubby to help during painful contractions, then moved to a hydrotherapy tub, which I soon got out of because I started feeling claustrophobic being in the warm water. I have to say that the number one item you must have with you is a birthing ball! I just brought my exercise ball from home. Which by the way is so wonderful to have while you're pregnant, I would sit on it at home and it would feel so great to lie my back across it to stretch out, I would also sit on it and rotate my hips around and try to stay as flexible as possible! It was very helpful when I was going through active labor and when the baby really started pushing down, it really helped take the edge off just by sitting on it. I spent a lot of time on that ball, it is actually a lot more painful lying in a hospital bed than being on that ball! So yes, make sure that ball is number one on your list! And one more tip, screaming does not help! It only makes you more panicked, try to stay as calm and quiet as possible and do your breathing. And just know that you will have a beautiful baby soon and this will all be worth it. You can do it!

I also took Bradley classes and had a homebirth with my midwife. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Without a doubt, when I get pregnant again I will have another homebirth.

I didn't have the option of not having an epidural. I had to have a c-section because my body wouldn't let me have anything more than a 4-6 pound baby and my first child was 9.6 lbs. It would have killed me. I know of alot of mom's that have talked about "natural" but with the intense pain of childbirth it's hard for me to understand about putting yourself through the pain of it. I couldn't do it and I wish you all the luck in the world and wish you nothing but a safe birth.

I had a home birth with a midwife. I won't bore you with all the details, but I can't wait to do it again. If this is what you want for your delivery then you will enjoy it completely. Don't get me wrong, it hurts like nothing you can explain. But you know that going in and it is manageable. Learn all you can about different pain control techniques and find what sounds good to you. I used hypnobabies, a self-hypnosis home study course. They claim you can have a "pain-free delivery". I did not and after laboring I don't think I believe that at all. But it did help me focus and get through it with less anxiety. There are many other options as well. Just find what "feels right" to you and go with it. Good luck! :)

I had my youngest at a birth center in Grand Prairie. I was 40 yrs old , and after 60 hours of labor--I felt great! I would never have a child any other way! It was a wonderful experience! I had energy, I was up taking a shower 30 minutes after my daughter was born. Then I soaked in a tub with her for another 30 minutes. I could have left right away and gone on home, but I chose to rest there at the center for about 10 hours. I then went to my mom's and showed off our little angel, picked up our middle child, then went on home. By contrast,I had my oldest when I was 20, in a hospital, with medication and I felt terrible afterward. Could barely walk. The birth center is the way to go!

E.,

When I gave birth to my daughter I was young and I knew nothing about it. I didn't have my mother or really any women around at the time to give any advise or support. I wanted to have a natural birth so badly and still wished I could have, but I paniced and took the epidural. And with three pushes she was out. Anyhow, my advise is to do the excercises that they tell you and remember that this is just a moment in your life (although painful) It like everything else will pass. Stay calm, relax and soon you will be enjoying one of lifes greatest blessings! Good luck and God Bless!

Hi E.
I've had one child at a birthing center, and the next three were homebirths. Loved it. I prefer the pain of labor over any other pain I've ever been in ;) At least it is over quick ... haha. Good luck with your upcoming birth! There are plenty of out-of-hospital birth mamas around the metroplex, you are not alone.

Hi Ravi, you will love Jean, I am a Lactation Consultant that has worked with Jean in OB in the hospital setting as well and she is really very relaxed and caring. Denton Presby is the backup if needed and it is also a nice new hospital with a lot of caring staff. I am sure you will have all of the "natural" you would like in a safe environment knowing the "backup" is there if you need it.
K. willis
RN, IBCLC

E.,
Well, I sit the fence on this issue. I can give you some stories from both sides. I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to have a natural birth and got all the way to 10 centimeters when the doc said he wasn't coming out and for his safety they had to do a c-section. It was very dissapointing, but the one thing I know is, I WAS IN A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD HELP ME OR MY SON QUICKLY IF THEY NEEDED TO. If I had been even minutes from a hospital they may not have been able to help him "get out" as soon as he needed to. I have known a few couples who have had trouble having the baby at birthing centers or at home and then had to be rushed to the hospital for help. Sometimes with devistating results. I was exactly where you are right now. I wanted an all natural no strings attached birth, but I just thank God that my baby is ok. All that other stuff doesn't matter at all when you look into the eyes of your little one. Please remember that and just be rational in your decision making, either way. I am not trying to pursuade you in either direction, but I have seen it turn out VERY VERY poorly in a home situation before and I wouldn't want this for you. The MOST important thing is the safety of you and your baby, not that it is done in the most natural of settings. My personal advice would be to have the baby in a hospital with a doula or midwife and be sure to spell out to your doctor/midwife exactly how you want things done. Everyone at the hospital I went to, were very very accepting of what I wanted, which was all natural, they even encouraged it at one point. This way, you are still doing it the natural way, but with the safety of a monitor (to ensure the baby is safe) and a closeby hospital staff specifically for you and doctors just for your baby if need be. I'm sorry to go on and on like this, but I've just been through it and a close friend of mine had an absolutely horrifying experience at home, so I am passionate about what I am saying. THE ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOUR BABY ARRIVES SAFELY. Do whatever you feel you need to do to ensure that this happens.

Hi E.,

I gave birth to both my daughters naturally with a mid-wife. I labored at a birth center and then went to Baylor in Dallas to deliver. My Doctor was assisted by my mid-wife and was great about letting me go drug free. He let me do what I wanted. Natural birth is painful and exhausting, but I believe it is so much better for you and the baby. Remember - you have fantastic support because you have a mid-wife and are in an environment that encourages and supports you through a natural birth. You will be fine! It is so worth it!

If you want to chat more, please feel free to call me on ###-###-####. I can give you some more tips on coping with the labor etc - but I'm sure your mid-wife will tell you all these things too!

Have a great day - and what a great time for you - your first baby!

Kind Regards,

D. Nelson
____@____.com

Hi E.,
I went through the Bradley Method classes and they helped me more than I can explain. I also read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" which was wonderful and gave me full confidence I could do it. I did deliver in a hospital and the staff were more than supportive. They followed my birth plan to a T and never offered pain meds. I did have a C-section due to my daughter not coming down after pushing over two hours, and (thankfully I had read and knew what was normal and what was not)when I felt tearing (internal) I knew something was not right. I opted for the C-section to make sure the baby was fine. Besides a BIG crater in her head from hitting me in an akward position, she was fine. The experience of natural birth, well up til they rolled me to the OR room, was amazing and well worth the pain and classes. I encourage any woman to give their body a chance. I do hope all is well with your delivery. THere are so many unknowns so Please have an open mind---I struggled with the fact I had a C-section even though it was my choice---so just understand things happen and the end goal is a healthy baby and healthy mommy.

If you need more info...feel free to let me know.
K.

E.,

I had my daughter here at the house after two c-sections. It was the best decision! I think you will be very blessed by having a birth at the center and choosing this route.

My suggestion is to take a good childbirth class and know about all the options available to you. I used Delilah Ray at www.cherishbirth.com. The class was awesome, and we really learned alot.

I know you will do great! Take a class, and look at all different "natural" ways of taking care of pain. I hope your birth is an awesome experience!

Sincerely,
B.