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Martina’s Birth Story:
Soon after I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to have a natural pregnancy and childbirth. By chance, I found out that I have choices for care by a midwife and that I could deliver at home or at a birthing center. I wanted to have personal care and deliver the baby in the most natural way possible. I decided on having a home birth. This was a big decision for me. I did not know if I could deliver a baby without using drugs and not in the hospital. I was scared, but my instinct told me that I could trust Catharine and I felt comfortable with her. Most importantly, delivery at home felt “right” to me, even though I was extremely nervous and scared. To ensure the baby’s healthy growth and a smooth birth, I made sure that I read everything I could find about pregnancy and birth. I ate healthy, exercised, meditated, practiced yoga and did alternative healing through out my pregnancy. During the 45 minutes prenatal visits with Catharine, besides the regular checkup, I was able to share my concerns and emotions comfortably. This was a big comfort for me especially because I was away from my family. I felt safe that I was in good hands.
Two major things happened towards the end of my pregnancy helped me face the fear I had for the birth. Due to a possible herpes breakout, I went to see an OBGYN to learn if there is preventive medication I could take so that I could still give birth vaginally. I walked out of the office upset and in tears. I was told by the doctor that I was not being responsible as a mother and that I was putting my baby in danger by having a home birth. I then realized that my major fear was accepting the responsibility of the “what if” and I was not ready for that. The other major thing was hearing the stories that other home birth moms shared during the child birth class had helped me realize that I only accept one outcome – birthing at home. I finally felt that I was ready for the birth and that I am willing to take responsibility for the “what if” and it is okay if things don’t happen as I plan (even if I end up at the hospital having a c-section!) I decided to trust and surrender to the divine that things will work out the best for my baby and I.
I am so thankful that I had a miracle birth. This is like a dream come true for me. I had a smooth and intense six-hour labor. The experience of consciously feeling my body open up and to be able to integrate my body, spirit and the divine energy was truly profound and organically spiritual for me. I was scared at first when I felt the intensity of the contractions. Hearing Catharine’s comforting voice really smoothed and calmed me down that I was able to remember to breathe and take one contraction at a time. I was relaxed enough that I was able to surrender and let my body do its own thing. Throughout the labor I kept praying for help to surrender, so my mind would not interfere with my body. At one point, I felt I was connecting to other home birth moms and all other moms who are giving birth around the world. I felt powerful and strong. I told myself that if they can do this, I can do it, too! It was incredible to experience the waves of energy which opened up my body for the baby to come down. Right before I was ready to push, I could feel my pelvis was shifting outward and the baby’s head was descending. This is it. Time for me to push! I consciously connected to the energy in my belly and using my voice to help me push. I felt every sensation of the baby’s head coming down and the pelvis pushing outward.
The whole birthing experience was incredible for me. I am so glad that I gave birth in the comfort of my home and was able to have my husband right there with me. I could move around and be in all sorts of different positions as I liked, wanted or needed to help the baby come out. I am also glad that Catharine and her team were there to assist me. It’s like having a supportive family there and yet they are experienced to handle different situations. Birth is a celebration of the miracle of life, not a medical event. I am glad that I chose to celebrate birth in the most natural way as possible.
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Lara’s Birth Story:
I feel very blessed to share my wonderful birth story.
After 3 weeks of false labor, with Catharine reassuring me that everything was fine and I would know when it was the real thing, it happened. Around 5:30, my water broke on August 27th as I was getting out of bed. Within 10 minutes, the contractions started and it was evident they were the real thing as they were a lot more intense than what I had previously experienced. To make myself more comfortable I went to our outdoor shower and concentrated on breathing through the contractions while the warm water soothed me. Over the next hour the contractions continued to increase in intensity to the point that the shower was not sufficient and I needed to pace through the contractions. At this time, my husband got out of bed and, from the look on my face, decided to call Catharine immediately. After he spoke to her, she wanted to speak with me however I could not talk through the contractions. She timed a couple of my contractions, hung up and was at our home within 20 minutes. By this time, I was having intense pain so it was wonderful to see Catharine’s happy face telling me that there would be a baby soon. My contractions were lasting for around a minute and a half at this stage, and I had less than 20 seconds down time. Andrea, the other midwife, and the Catharine, the assistant, arrived at around this time; and Catharine let the know that my contractions were hard and fast and that this was probably going to be a fast labor. It reassured me to hear this as I could not imagine continuing with this intensity for too much longer. It was at this time that I also remembered to take each contraction at a time. Andrea took my vital signs and listened to the baby and let me know that everything was going great. Catharine then examined me and told> me I was 8 centimeters dilated and that if I did 2 contractions lying on each side, I would be ready to start pushing. At this time, I moved to our bedroom and proceeded through the next four contractions. The pain of these was eased by Catharine the assistant massaging my feet, and my husband massaging my back. Having a finite number also helped me. The words from Catharine that I could finally push were wonderful. It was a pleasant surprise that the intensity of pain dramatically dropped with the pushing. I am not sure of the time, but when Catharine let me know that the head was in view, it really hit me that I was going to be a mother very soon. Both Catharine and Andrea talked us through what was happening and encouraged me to see the baby’s head with the mirror. When it came time to push again, they instructed me on how to have the most effective pushes and let me see the baby’s progress with the mirror. When it came time for the baby’s head to come out, they informed me that if I guided the babies head out with my hand it would help control how much I thought my perineum could take. This was very helpful. as I was able to hold the baby’s head and pant through the second half of the a contraction so that I could prevent tearing. I was very grateful that this worked and my perineum remained intact. When I could feel that my muscles were ready for the baby to come out, Catharine told me to give a big push and then the baby started to come out. I was encouraged through the remainder of the birth by the midwifery team and was elated to see my baby for the first time as she was placed on my chest. My husband was then educated on how to cut the cord. Then I was shown how to breast feed, which Zalia took to immediately. After about half an hour of her feeding, I started to feel the urge to push again. Catharine gave the baby to my husband and with lots of help, I got into the squatting position where the placenta came straight out.
It was then time to watch Zalia’s examination, which was incredible to witness as our daughter was revealed to be in perfect health. Before the midwifery team departed, they made sure that we were comfortable, confident and that I had eaten and gone to the bathroom. We were then encouraged to relax together as a family which was the most special day of our lives.
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