Beautiful Birth Story

-Beautiful Birth Story-

The birth of my first daughter at home was the most wonderful experience of my life to date. That day I experienced a full spectrum of emotion- from disbelief, fear, exasperation, frustration, relief, joy, gratitude and peace. And I was very lucky to find Annemarie and her team to help guide my husband and I through the scariest but most exciting and rewarding day of our lives.

Before I launch into the actual day of events, I want to give a little bit of background. A home birth was something that I did not decide from the outset – I am by nature an anxious person and very skeptical, which is probably why my husband and I waited until after I was 7 months pregnant to decide to do a home birth. It was something I was interested in, but after 2 miscarriages, having to take a daily regime of baby aspirin, and having a low lying placenta at 18 weeks, I believed that there was something “wrong” with me and that my pregnancy would require a full medical team because “something” was going to go wrong and require an intervention. I figured that it would be just my luck, since nothing ever goes according to my most well-laid out plans! The fact that in my family we had a history of “difficult” births (emergency c-sections, maternal death, etc.) only reinforced this belief. (Did I mention that when I was young I didn’t want children because of the fear of childbirth and related pain? Yes- that was me!) But, as I got closer to my due date, I began to very much doubt the care I would receive from my OBGYN and her ability to listen to what I wanted, notwithstanding her stellar credentials. My appointments with her lasted about 10 minutes and she was regularly dismissive of my inquiries on the process and what I wanted (my husband witnessed this and became very infuriated of how dismissive she was to me). My list of grievances grew as my pregnancy wore on and I contemplated having a home birth instead given the wonderful stories I had heard, but I was admittedly still nervous. When I was about 30 weeks along, I had a second fetal scan which showed that my placenta had moved up. The specialist declared I had a normal pregnancy and they didn’t need to see me again. This was my green light to go with my gut and go with a home birth. Having previously interviewed midwives in contemplation of my placenta moving up and deciding I wanted Annemarie, I contacted her immediately to tell her the good news.

Annemarie reminds me of an old friend you have known forever. For me, her most important qualities as a midwife, aside from her technical expertise, are (a) she is always calm and (b) she is non-judgmental. The women I spoke to who used Annemarie’s midwifery services for their home births had nothing but wonderful things to say about her. After hearing their stories I was excited for my own birth! Annemarie spent so much time getting to know me, my husband and even our dog during our appointments. Her apprentice, Dani, was equally attentive. I felt listened and unrushed. It made me feel comfortable and reassured, even as I was nervous for the big day. (I also asked her a ton of “what-if” worst case scenario questions which she readily and expertly answered, I might add).

OUR BIG DAY! On the Wednesday evening before my baby’s due date, I started to “feel” something. I assumed they were contractions – squeezes around my baby-belly – and a few times they were a bit uncomfortable when I was standing. I assumed things might be starting but wasn’t really sure. I went to bed and woke up Thursday morning, nothing much had changed although I lost my mucus plug and had my bloody show around 8:45 a.m. I was still having these “squeezes”, which were uncomfortable at times but didn’t stop me from going about my day and getting things checked off my to-do list. (I blissfully thought “Hey, this labor thing is easy – must have been all that red raspberry leaf tea I drank!“). I finished the tasks off my to-do list, had some spicy Thai food for dinner (to help speed up the process) and a tiny glass of red wine (to relax) before going to soak in the bath tub. I went to bed around 10pm. At 2:22 a.m. Friday morning, I woke up and realized I was having “real” contractions! I woke my husband up (yes, a good wife would have let him sleep) and had him get me an English muffin with peanut butter (the last solid food I ate before she was born). He also brought in the yoga mat, exercise ball, wedge pillow, etc. for me in my attempts to get comfortable and try my hypno-birthing breathing. In the end, I crawled back into bed and slept as much as I could. After 6 a.m., I couldn’t sleep anymore so I just focused on breathing and timing my contractions. By around 8 a.m., my husband had contacted Annemarie and by around 10:30 a.m. Annemarie and Dani arrived. They came in and checked on me (I was still in bed, breathing through my contractions and timing them) before going to set up. By 11 a.m., the contractions were so intense that I could no longer just “breathe” through them. The intensity was no longer just under the baby part of my belly but had traveled all the way around my back and was now like a belt. I wanted to yell and cry out in pain. But, I really didn’t want to do that because (a) that would tired me out pretty quickly and (b) let’s be honest, I didn’t want all my neighbors hearing me and calling the police (I would have been self-conscious about that aspect even in the hospital!). So, I vocalized the exhale of my breaths (my husband called it “chanting” although there was nothing mystical or musical about it – more guttural than anything!). Annemarie then came in and asked if I wanted to get into my bathtub (we have a deep bathtub and it would be easy to keep clean and refreshed with warm water while I was in the early stages of labor rather than getting in the deeper birthing tub at the outset). We got me into the tub and it helped with the intensity of the contractions, although the intensity was still building. Annemarie and Dani took turns holding my hand through the contractions and even “chanted” with me, especially as the contractions got more intense causing me to lose my breath. They made sure I stayed hydrated and nourished with water, protein Odwallas, coconut water and vitamin water, and they also kept my head cool with lavender scented washcloths. It seemed like every hour (maybe more or less – I couldn’t tell) Annemarie would ask to check the baby’s heart rate with the monitor to make sure she was okay.

A couple things were going through my mind during my active labor phase – (a) I was SCARED, which as soon as I said those words out loud during labor (multiple times, I might add), Annemarie and Dani reassured me all was well and then I felt less so (FYI – it was the most helpful thing for me to know going into this process that most women in labor get scared and it is not a sign of failure or trouble), (b) I was so tired all I wanted to do was take a nap – I actually dozed off in between contractions!?!, and (c) I was fretting that I wasn’t doing my hypnobirthing meditations (I didn’t even want to hear the relaxing music mix my husband and I put together for the big day!!), but Annemarie assured me I was doing great. I just kept breathing and vocalizing/”chanting” and tried to envision each contraction like the undulating waves in the ocean- after the intensity peaked, it would bring me back down. I remember Annemarie asking me if I wanted my husband with me, to which I replied “no” (Really, what could he do? Just worry about me and his helplessness in this situation? That would have been too stressful for me). Annemarie also asked him the same question and he also declined (smart man). I just wanted either Annemarie or Dani there holding my hand and “chanting” with me.

At some point, Annemarie mentioned that she was concerned that I hadn’t urinated but I have had a ton of fluid to stay hydrated. My body couldn’t go on its own in the tub so she suggested I get on the toilet to try. I didn’t have much success – some but not much. BUT, getting out of the tub up’ed in intensity of my contractions and lessened the time in between them. I had a few of these rockstar contractions before I could crawl back into the tub. Annemarie or Dani tried pushing down on my hips to help lessen the intensity, but I just remember thinking I needed to get back into the tub. I had not realized previously how much the water helped labor! A while later, after I had been asking Annemarie what the next stage would be like (because what I really wanted to know was “HOW MUCH LONGER!?!? I want to take a nap!“), she asked me if I wanted her to check to see how dilated I was. Although I was loathe to leave the tub, I was anxious to know how far along I was (aka “When can I get my nap?“). We made our way into the bedroom and on the bed, and she declared I was 7 cm dilated but that during a contraction I dilated to 8 cm – these numbers meant nothing to me but she assured me things were moving along very well. I got back into my beloved tub, continued my chants and envisioned that nap I would soon be getting.

After a while, the contractions were so intense they actually caused me to lurch forward from my reclining position in the tub. I asked Annemarie (again) what the next stage would be like, she told me I would feel the urge to push. (Score!!) I was in the next stage! (Nap time here I come!!) I informed her in between chants that I was there and wanted to push, and she told me to go ahead. So I started pushing. My husband had periodically come to check on me (but stayed out of sight) and had returned soon after I started pushing. He was there when my water broke at about 4:15 p.m.- we all heard a loud pop in the water. I had no idea what had happened (Did I have my baby?!). Annemarie declared my bag of waters had opened and everything looked good. (Whew and hooray- next stage!!) So with each contraction I am now pushing. Annemarie suggested that I might want to get in a squat position to let gravity help me bring the baby out. It was awkward to do in my regular tub, especially given how tired I was and because now I am also vomiting all the fluids I dutifully took in earlier, so Annemarie suggested I try the birthing stool. I got on the birthing stool and my husband sat in front of me to hold my arms/hands and give me support but he actually ended up holding the bowl (previously used to hold those wonderful lavender scented washcloths) to catch the contents of my stomach (What can I say, I was taking this pushing work seriously!). He and I joked during my pushing that the last time he helped me in such a compromised position was probably 9 years ago when he held my hair while I was sick at a nightclub – but that’s another story…

Our baby was having a difficult time getting through my pubic bone and Annemarie had suggested emptying my bladder with a catheter to give her head more room. The first time she suggested this, I didn’t take her up on her offer. It sounded very uncomfortable and the idea made me squeamish (although apparently having a baby didn’t – go figure…). I was sure I could just push through this (pardon the pun) and get the baby out without it. After a bit more pushing without much success, Annemarie suggested the idea again and this time I took Annemarie up on her offer. I was eager to get my baby out and see her (I had forgotten all about the nap now). We all moved into the bedroom, I got on the bed, and as Annemarie cleaned the area in preparation for inserting the catheter, my bladder released enough on its own so that it was no longer necessary (WHEW!!!). So, I went back to pushing. Someone held my legs in an assisted squat and someone massaged my downstairs parts with a warm compress and olive oil to prevent tearing. Soon, Annemarie asked if I wanted to reach down and feel my baby’s head, which prior to actually being in labor I thought I would definitely want to do. However, when push came to shove (I love these puns!) I did not want to break my focus – I wanted my baby out!! At 5:46 p.m., her head was out! A minute and half later the rest of her came out and my husband caught her! She made one little yelp and that was it. They placed her on my stomach with receiving blankets on top of her and I remember looking down my chest and trying to see her. Her little eyes were taking everything in. She didn’t make a sound but I could see her blinking every so often. I wanted to pick her up right away and examine her, but we were still attached. Annemarie instructed me to push again and I remember my inside voice saying, “Um, I’m done pushing. Did you see that baby come out? There is nothing left to push! I can’t feel anything!” But, she was right and about 15 minutes later with a few more pushes my placenta was out. My husband then cut the cord that had connected me to my baby for 40 weeks to the day. Yes, she was born on her due date as the sun was setting so it was a dim and quiet room! She had the quiet entrance into the world that we had hoped for and I did it! I felt like I could climb Mount Everest that moment! When I got to hold my baby for the first time it was the best, most rewarding feeling I have ever had. I was so full of love and awe for her and what we had just accomplished. After they weighed and measured her, we learned she was 8.0 lbs and 20 inches long – I couldn’t believe it!

Annemarie and Dani cleaned up lickety-split – no one would have known that I had just delivered my baby there that evening. Even the towels and sheets were cleaned! My husband and I then enjoyed a quiet dinner in bed together. (Leah, the midwife for my baby had already inspected the baby to make sure she was ok and Annemarie had inspected my lady parts to make sure I didn’t have any tears, which I didn’t! Yay!). It was wonderful to sleep in my own bed that night!

My labor was challenging and scary at times but I had excellent support to guide me through the journey. Annemarie and Dani were calm throughout and that helped me stay calm and focused. They were also very supportive and always asked me before anything was done. Annemarie’s checkups after our baby’s birth were wonderful, especially since we don’t have family out here and the majority of our friends do not have children. She provided holistic care in every way and I truly felt supported and respected in the best way for me and my family throughout this life changing event. I feel truly blessed as I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and it was all thanks to Annemarie and her team of wonderful midwives.

August 13, 2016 / No Comments /

“What is Physiological Birth?” Podcast

-“What is Physiological Birth?” Podcast-

This Podcast by Kristen of naturalbirthandbabycare.com will provide you with practical information to prepare you for a safe, healthy and beautiful birth. Kristen breaks down the processes your body and your baby experience during labor and delivery. Have you ever wondered what hormones your body releases during and after labor, what circumstances could prolong labor and what your baby experiences during each contraction? This podcast will answer those questions and many more.

Put your feet up and enjoy the podcast!

June 6, 2016 /

Nutrition in Pregnancy

– Nutrition in Pregnancy –

Protein in Pregnancy:

Good Sources of Protein: Animal Protein, pulses and cereal grains, dairy products, nuts, Spirulina, eggs. In pregnancy, protein requirements increase from 9 grams per day to 80-100 grams of protein needed per day because of the many special demands of tissue building that can only be met with adequate protein, not only baby but blood expansion, placenta, breast growth, milk production, immune system, blood clotting, etc. The body has mechanisms that make sure it’s requirements for protein are met. Caloric intake also increases in pregnancy. As caloric and protein requirements become greater the lack of sufficient quantities of either one has more serious immediate consequences.

What is Protein? Proteins are combinations of only 22 amino acids, eight of which are essential nutrients for humans. This means that the human body cannot make them and must get them from somewhere else. The Human body assembles and utilizes about 50,000 different proteins to form organs, nerves, muscles and flesh. Enzymes and antibodies are specialized proteins. Protein is an essential part of nutrition because they are needed for normal growth and the formation of hormones, for the process of blood clotting and for the formation of milk during lactation. It also helps to regulate the acid-alkaline balance of tissues and blood.

Vitamins in Pregnancy:

The most effective way for us to absorb vitamins and minerals is directly through our food sources. Different types of food processing affects vitamin content differently. Some vitamins are heat sensitive, but steaming and water-less cooking preserve minerals and vitamins fairly well. Boiling rapidly, not so well. Vitamins are persevered better in an acidic liquid rather than an alkaline liquid. Oxidation causes vitamin loss. In canning, long temperatures of high heat are used, which are destructive to some vitamins, but not all. Cold temperatures and freezing as well as sun or air drying retain vitamin content. Some methods of food processing, including simmering bones in acidic liquid to make broth, culturing of dairy products, sprouting and traditional methods of pickling, fermenting and leavening, actually make nutrients more available. Vitamin E is fat soluble and is needed for circulation, tissue repair and healing, which is very important during pregnancy and recovery postpartum. It also helps in the treatment of sterility. Vitamin E is the deactivation in free radicals. It works well alongside selenium and zinc.Vitamin E is found in unrefined vegetable oils, butter, organ meats, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and dark green leafy vegetables. Vitamin A is an antioxidant which protects the body against free radicals and pollutants, decreasing risk of cancer. Most importantly Vitamin A is a catalyst on which numerous biochemical processes depend. Proteins, minerals and water soluble vitamins cannot be utilized without Vitamin A in the body. It also aids in protein digestion and plays a vital role in building strong bones and rich blood. Vitamin A is found in butter fats, egg yolks, liver and other organ meats, seafood and fish liver oils. It is very important to obtain Vitamin A from food sources because synthetic sources may have a toxic effect. Antibiotics, laxatives, fat-substitutes and cholesterol lowering drugs interfere with the absorption of Vitamin A.

Good Fats:

Cholesterol acts as a precursor to essential corticosteriods and to sex hormones like androgen, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. It is also a precursor to Vitamin D, which id needed for healthy bones and nervous system, proper growth, mineral metabolism, muscle tone, insulin production, reproduction and immune system function. It helps with digestion, acts and a antioxidant, gives our tissues structural integrity. It’s needed for proper function of Serotonin in the brain.

Sources of fats to avoid: Meat from Grain fed animals, seed oils like, safflower, sesame, corn, sunflower or peanut. margarine, hydrogenated vegetables.
Excellent sources of fat: Mackerel, flaxseed oil, butter, cheese, cod liver oil, salt water fish, salmon, halibut, cod, shellfish, lobster, crab, meat and dairy from grass fed animals. Don’t be afraid to eat good fats! Dietary fats in the body provide a concentrated sources on energy in the diet. They provide a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances. They provide the building blocks for cell membranes. They slow down nutrient absorption so we can go longer without eating. The act as carriers for vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble vitamins. Dietary fats are essential in the conversion of carotene to Vitamin A and for mineral absorption.

Refined Sugars and Flours:

Carbohydrates are starch and sugars. They are produced by all green plants in their leaves through sunlight, CO2 and water. The primary use of carbohydrates in the body to supply energy wherever it is needed for example, accomplishing cellular processes, thinking or moving. It is provided in the form of glucose molecules, broken down from starches. In pregnancy, they provide the energy for the women to support life. They help women to have enough energy to go through with labor. If she doesn’t have enough calories than she burns proteins needed for other functions. Whenever possible, eat complex carbohydrates. For example, whole-grain breads and pastas, vegetables, beans, sweet potatoes and legumes rather than simple carbohydrates: white bread, cookies, pretzels and chips, and sugar and sweeteners. Vitamin E, B, fiber, protein,
magnesium, phosphorous, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium are provided in abundance by whole grains. Unfortunately, these essential vitamin and mineral components are striped in the refining process. Fortification adds a few synthetic vitamins and minerals, which may be dangerous, to white flour and polished rice after the essential factors have been removed. Some researchers believe that the excess iron from fortified flour can cause tissue damage or/and heart disease. Vitamins B1 and B2 that are added to grains without B6 lead to imbalances to numerous processes involving B vitamin pathways.

February 8, 2016 /

Exercise in Pregnancy

– Exercise in Pregnancy –

Exercise

Improves mood because it creates endorphins and releases adrenaline.
Reduces stress, decreases anxiety and depression.
It decreases risk of injury, builds strength and endurance.
Quickens the heart rate and breathing with stimulates the cardiovascular system and lungs, reduces incidence of heart disease, osteoporosis, and hypertension.
It also helps maintain a healthy weight!

It may be difficult to begin an exercise program. Choosing something that you enjoy and setting an attainable goal will help you to support you in follow through. While pregnant, finding support in a pregnancy exercise program or buddying up with someone may help you reach your goals and make it fun. Remember to stay safe while exercising. It is important to work up gradually and alternate workout activities in a weekly exercise program because all exercise initially will fatigue muscles, tendons, and joints. As the body recovers, strength returns. The body needs to fully recover between exercising to avoid injury. Alternating workout activities keeps the attention and combats boredom while building a good foundation. Another thing to keep in mind while pregnant and exercising: Tissue relaxation accompanies the hormonal changes of pregnancy, so one could over stretch and tear ligaments or tendons or over stretch and pull a muscle. Also, remember to stretch. Stretching strengthens the muscles and builds a foundation to maintain the stretch which helps with endurance and to recover the muscles.

February 1, 2016 /

C.’s Birth Story

– C.’s Birth Story –

Here’s how my labor story went:

Just before 39 weeks, I lose my mucus plug at night before bed. This was an exciting indicator that labor was near, but I knew it could be anything from a few hours to days or even weeks. The next morning, on Thursday, December 3rd, I lose a little more mucus plug. I had felt exhausted for two days, which in retrospect I think may have been a sign of impending labor. I decide against going to a prenatal Aqua aerobics as I’m not sure if labor is near. At around 10-1030am, I start getting surges, very light, and I’m not sure it’s really labor as this is my first pregnancy. By 11am, consistency of surges is around 15-20min apart, 30-45 seconds. I call my husband, J., and he decides to leave San Jose and skip his lunch meeting and come home.
We have lunch at around 1pm with my brother and J. at home (I eat a delicious bowl of udon!) while my brother helps J. start prepping the bedroom. At 230pm, my brother leaves. I’m having surges but can still walk around. I decide to continue with a scheduled prenatal induction massage at 3pm with Kari Marble. J. joins me so Kari can show him some acupressure points for labor and massage techniques. During the labor, surges become a bit closer together and more intense. When we are leaving, Kari suggests J. prep the birth tub as soon as we get home. I can’t walk back to the car so J. comes to get me (car is only 2 min walk away but that feels too far).
We’re home at 5pm and the surges are intensifying in duration and closeness (more like 5min. apart). J. calls our doula, Annemarie, who lives far away in Bolinas. He readies the birth tub and bed. I eat a little more udon soup, some banana bread, and I think an apple. I keep drinking water and coconut water. I labor in living room and have a bizarre urge to watch this terrible old movie, My Father The Hero, which I find on Netflix. J. finds me laboring on floor mat and suggests we go upstairs. By this point, I’m naked, having abandoned my pants and underwear in our downstairs bathroom and my sweater in the living room.
I can’t get up the stairs so I have to crawl up them. This is a sign to J. that things are really progressing. I labor in bed for about 40 min listening to Rachel Yellin’s hypnobirthing labor audio track (we had attended her class two months earlier and practiced our hypnobirthing techniques daily). We labor on a floor mat in bedroom for a bit. J. and I have an emotional moment of kissing and telling each other how much we love each other (like “tent time” as Rachel Yellin calls it). He tries using the rebozo wrap technique on my belly and that helps. Then I have to pee so I labor on the toilet for a while. Nipple stimulation while on toilet feels good and helps relax me. J. suggests I get in shower. That feels amazing. When in the shower, surges are definitely more and more intense and closer together. J. is in the shower with me for some of this and he uses the sacral massage technique Kari showed him along with a warm facecloth. At 630pm, Annemarie arrives and helps me get out of shower. She asks if I want to do a vaginal check but I say no. I feel like things are moving so well and I don’t want to scratch the soil or feel like I haven’t progressed as much as I think I have. I’d rather trust my body and my intuition. She says that’s fine and calls our midwife, Kristen, to come over from Oakland. Kristen is at her daughter’s multicultural dinner so doesn’t hear the first call but eventually gets the note. I have a powerful surge in the bathroom doorway and Annermarie holds me. She feels so strong and I lie against her chest and can feel her heart beating. I feel very connected to her and like she is supporting me. This helps me relax. We go into the bedroom and get back on floor mat. Surges are more intense and for a while I’ve been feeling a lot of pressure very low down. Not quite the urge to push but nearly. I bite J.’s hand or shoulder hard during a surge. Finally, Annemarie suggests I get into tub and this feels amazing. I labor there with much more powerful surges. J. puts on my chanting playlist and this also feels like the right musical accompaniment.
Kristen arrives around 810pm. I can hear her and Annemarie moving quickly, prepping things and readying for the birth; I grow hopeful this means they think I will deliver soon. This also gives me added focus and I continue to ride surges in the tub. I start feeling the urge to push and Kristen and J. keep directing my energy down. At some point, J. gives me positive affirmations, telling me how great I’m doing and how strong I am and my reply is a sarcastic “yeah yeah yeah, okay okay okay” which makes J. and Annemarie giggle. I talk to the baby a lot telling her that she is strong and can do this. At one point, she has the hiccups and I can feel them very low in my groin. I also feel her kicking off during surges. Staying connected to her keeps me focused and relaxed. I use tons of deep, low vocalizations. I’m very loud but I don’t care—perhaps that’s a great benefit of a home birth! Being loud feels right and helps me continue to progress the labor.
Kristen does an internal check at around 830pm and says the baby’s head is right there. This is very encouraging. At 909pm, our back up midwife, Sue, arrives. I’m already pushing (in total, my pushing phase was around 45min). I’m in the tub but feeling really hot. I want to stay in but I also can’t get quite the grip I need to push. I feel tired. At some point I softly say I can’t do this and J. and Annemarie tell me I can and I repeat aloud, “I can do this, I can do this.” Kristen brings me a glass of kefir to keep my energy up. The kefir tastes amazing and I take big sips. On one of the strong pushes, I feel a pop. I tell Kristen I think the bag of waters has released. I keep asking Kristen how much longer until I will have the baby out and she just says “soon” (I want a definitive answer – ha!). After a little longer, I decide I will get out of the tub to keep pushing because I really can’t get in a good position and I’m feeling too hot. I get out of the tub and am in a supported squat with J. holding me but it’s way too much weight for him. J. sees Sue mouth to Kristen, “That’s not sustainable,” so they urge me to move more into a seated position. I lean back on Annemarie who supports me while J. holds me from the front. I can feel the “ring of fire” at this point and the team is coaching me to direct my breath down and to breathe like I’m slowly puffing a balloon. Kristen tells me I’m crowning. She rubs coconut oil on my perineum and holds open my skin. I just want the baby out so I push very hard and soon enough, her head emerges. When I feel this (my eyes are shut), I push again and quickly I can feel the rest of the baby slide out, along with a rush of all the amniotic fluids. This feels amazing. They put the baby on my chest and J. says something like “We have a baby!” Our sweet baby C. screams and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve heard in my life. We are in love. I like that I can still feel the cord attached and coming out from inside my vagina. Kristen and Sue do a quick internal to assess my placenta.
We look at the baby for a long time then suddenly I realize we don’t know the sex. J. lifts up her legs and says “I think it’s a girl”. Kristen looks and confirms. After 10 min. or so, I birth the placenta, which feels bigger than I expected and also good to get out. Kristen moves the chux pad and the fluids spill on the floor. I say, “Don’t worry, we can clean it up” and J. laughs and says, “Um, no, we can’t…” (Apparently, it’s quite a mess but Kristen manages to clean it up without a stain!)
We get into bed and hold baby C. with the cord and placenta still attached to her. We don’t clamp the cord for a long time (upwards of an hour). Then J. cuts the cord while I’m still holding her. J. takes her for skin to skin time (he’s still wearing the pants I told him to take off after the shower but things got too busy!) and Kristen and Sue assess my tears. They decide one tear is too hard to access so they call CPMC hospital to see if they will admit me as a home birth (CPMC usually doesn’t admit home births unless in emergencies). They allow me to come in at 1am. I get the stitches there while J. and Sue stay home and measure the baby. She is 7 lbs 3 oz, 20 inches. Apgar score of 10/10.
Getting home feels amazing and we lie in bed and stare at C. for hours. Our amazing team of Annemarie and our midwives leave and it’s just the three of us as a family for the first morning. In bed. At home. Quiet. In love. This is amazing.

January 8, 2016 /

Home births NOT linked to increased risk of complications

– Home births NOT linked to increased risk of complications –

Over 100 years ago, nearly all births in the US happened outside of a hospital, but by 1940, only 44% of births occurred this way, with the rate falling to just 1% by 1969. Now, a new study shows support for home births, suggesting they pose no increased risk of harm to the baby, compared with planned hospital births.

The study, published in CMAJ, was led by Dr. Eileen Hutton, from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of out-of-hospital births in the US increased from 1.26% in 2011 to 1.36% in 2012.

Although this rate is still quite low, out-of-hospital births have been on the rise lately. If the increasing trend continues, the CDC note that it “has the potential to affect patterns of facility usage, clinical training and resource allocation, as well as health care costs.”

The researchers from this latest study note that previous findings have revealed that planned home births are linked with a decreased likelihood of interventions, with no difference between neonatal outcomes among home births or planned hospital births.

Because previous studies investigating home versus hospital births have had moderate sample sizes, they have been limited in their ability to report definitively on rare outcomes, including death.

As such, the team wanted to “evaluate different birth settings by comparing neonatal mortality, morbidity and rates of birth interventions between planned home and planned hospital births in Ontario, Canada.”

Hospital births more likely to involve interventions

In Ontario, Canada – where 10% of births are attended by midwives, 20% of which are at home – the researchers compared 11,493 home births with 11,493 planned hospital births over the course of 3 years in low-risk women.

Fast facts about US births

Almost all US births occurred outside a hospital in 1900; by 1969, only 1% did
In 2012, the risk profile was lower for out-of-hospital births, compared with hospital births
The percentage of out-of-hospital births increased from 1.26% in 2011 to 1.36% in 2012.

Of the births, 35% involved first-time mothers, and 65% had previously given birth.

Around 75% of the women who planned to give birth at home were able to, and 97% of those who planned to have a hospital birth had their babies there.

Among the women who planned a home birth, 8% needed emergency medical services, while 1.7% of the women in the planned hospital group did.

Results showed that women in the hospital group were more likely to have interventions – such as labor augmentation, assisted vaginal births or cesarean deliveries. Meanwhile, incidence of stillbirth or neonatal death was 1.15 per every 1,000 births in the home birth group, compared with 0.95 per 1,000 in the hospital birth group.

“Among women who intended to birth at home with midwives in Ontario, the risk of stillbirth, neonatal death or serious neonatal morbidity was low and did not differ from midwifery clients who chose hospital birth,” says Dr. Hutton.

Read the full article here.

January 8, 2016 /

A Seaside Baby

-Seaside Baby-

This was my second home birth in Stinson Beach in the past two years. Stinson Beach is not that densely populated with childbearing women and few that choose home birth. So as a home midwife it is always a treat to have local clientele.

All births are special. However, Sarah’s birth was particularly memorable, She had been born at home herself some thirty years ago, in the same Stinson Beach house she planned on birthing in.

I got the call at 7 am from her mom, who reported that Sarah was in labor. She hadn’t slept much and got in the hot tub outside around 6:30am. Her contractions had gotten closer together and were sounding more intense. I asked her some standard questions I ask all clients in labor, regarding the frequency of contractions, when they started, and if her bag of waters had opened. I told her I’d be right over, 15-25 minutes coming from Bolinas after picking up my assistant.

My car was already packed with all my midwifery equipment, so I hit the road and picked up my assistant. On the way over to Stinson my husband, whose native language is Spanish, got a call from Sarah’s father. He told him I had left for a birth. Sarah’s dad said ” I hope she left for our birth”. It was clearly one of those moments where there was a language gap. I also received a couple missed calls on my cell from their house, with reception being poor around the bends of Highway One, I knew there was no point in calling back since I’d be there soon.

My assistant and I arrived shortly and were greeted by Sarah’s mom and dad. “She’s in her room”, her mom said. I went into her room and saw Sarah working hard breathing through the contractions- they were close together and long. “It’s definitely not early labor. I’m staying and getting all the birth equipment set up,” I tell her family. They seem relieved to hear this.
I help breathe with her through a few contractions and my assistant comes in to rub her back as I listen to the baby’s heartbeat and check her blood pressure and temperature. Everything is perfect and her labor appears to be progressing nicely. I excuse myself from her room to set up the birth supplies, oxygen, newborn resuscitation equipment, suction devices, and anti- hemorrhage medications. I hear Sarah moaning in the bathroom now. It’s her first baby– I figure we have a few hours at least. I hear my assistant call my name ” she wants to push”! She’s sitting on the toilet and clearly she’s feeling the urge to bear down. I crunch down next to her and and listen the the baby’s heartbeat with my hand held Doppler. You can hear the healthy rhythm of her baby’s heart. I peak between her legs and sure enough I see a dime size of black hair.

“All right,” I say, “your cervix is completely dilated and your baby’s coming down”. My assistant brings all the necessary equipment into the bathroom, It’s a small space, but we find a way to organize ourselves. We assemble the wooden birthing stool and have her sit on that instead of the toilet. We put the receiving blankets on a electric heating pad so they will be nice and toasty for baby when he comes out. With each push we see more and more head, I show her with a hand held mirror. He is almost crowing, I ask her to get off the birth stool and on her hands and knees to hopefully prevent any tear, I put warm compresses on her perineal tissues as they stretch the last bit, and then gently the his head emerges.

It is always a awesome sight to see a little human half-way out this portal we call the birth canal. Then in less then minute his body slips out like a wet chunky fish. He is here alive and well, we hear his first cries almost instantly, wet and fresh telling us his story. I place him on mom’s chest as she reaches down for him. They soak in sweat, amniotic fluid, tears and blood. There is a sense of euphoria, love, relief that he made it earth side, he’s here after 9 months of waiting. Sara’s wide-eyed with joy. I sit quietly observing her baby’s respirations and his color tone. He looks amazing, he has transitioned to breathing with such grace and is so present with his mom.

I check for signs that the placenta has detached . When it appears it has, she sits on the birth stool and it plops out. The placenta looks so vibrant, healthy, and full of life. I don’t try to get her up right away, she is cocooned with blankets and fed sips of bone broth. These are the moments that dreams and laundry rooms are made of. Since mom and baby are stable, my assistant and I give the new family some privacy. We sit in the dining room sipping freshly brewed coffee while filling out her chart. We relish in the honor we have to share these intimate moments with families.

November 23, 2015 /

Get Your Birthing Kit!

-Birthing Kit-

A birthing kit is essential for home births. We have listed items we recommend below along with a link to Shelton’s page at yourwaterbirth.com where you can find these items and many more. We also offer birthing tub rentals or there are tubs on the website that you can buy new. If you have any questions, please let us know and we will be happy to walk you through the process and what birthing kit will be needed for your safe home birth.

–Mucus Trap Suction catheter with contro-vac valve and plug.

–Umbilical Cord Ring

–4 x 4 Gauze

–Vinyl Exam 12 Single Gloves Powder-Free Latex-Free

–Organic Maternity Pads

–Absorbent Disposable Underpads 23 x 24 inches

–Absorbant Disposable Underpads For home birth and water birth 23 x 36 inches

–Plastic Backed Disposable Sheet For home birth and water birth

–Perineal Rinse Bottle

–Stretch Maternity Brief

–Flexible Drinking Straw

–Newborn hat

-Weleda Arnica Massage Oil

–3% Hydrogen Peroxide antiseptic

-Povidone Iodine Solution 4 oz bottle

-Birthing Tub ( optional )

Check out these items and more at Yourwaterbirth.com

August 27, 2015 /

ICEA – Childbirth Education

– Childbirth Education –

-ICEA: International Childbirth Education Association Family Centered Care-

What is ICEA? International Childbirth Education Association, is based on the ideas and concepts of British obstetrician, Dr. Grantly Dick-Read. In 1932, Dr. Dick-Read introduced idea’s emphasizing overcoming women’s fear of giving birth. 15 years later, he wrote his now very well known book, Childbirth Without Fear, in which he emphasizes the possibility of overcoming fear in childbirth, as well as, the advantages of a physiologically normal childbirth. ICEA is an organization which grew on this foundation. ICEA is a cooperative organization of parents and professionals.
What do they believe? ICEA is a non-profit organization with it’s philosophy based on family centered care. Family centered care is based on the idea that with the growth of the family there will be different responsibilities to each other and to society. ICEA promotes partnership with medicine. It is designed to include all birth practitioners and places as long as they support mothers in the freedom to make their own choices based on knowledge.
Is it Right For me? If you are someone who is open to learning many different tools for different types of birth and values the flexibility in class content, this may be the class for you. ICEA teachers can vary widely in their knowledge of alternatives in their area and they do not promote any particular method in preparation for labor. The teachers use their own discretion in the content of the classes, so they can tailor the classes to the individual needs of their students. Be sure to contact the instructor to get her personal focuses in the class to help make the best decision for your needs. They also offer perinatal fitness, lactation and newborn classes.
How Do I Find a Class? There are many ICEA classes available in your area.

July 16, 2015 /

The Bradley Method – Husband Coached Childbirth

– The Bradley Method –

What is the Bradley Method? The Bradley Method was based on a theory by Dr. Robert Bradley. Dr. Bradley was an obstetrician, inspired by Brantley Dick-Read’s ideas that fear and tension enhances pain and that if women could relax and release muscle tension and reduce fear, there would be less pain during childbirth. Dr. Bradley teamed up with Maije and Jay Hathaway, whose birth of their fourth child, he had attended, and together they founded the “American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® to teach the Bradley Method.®”

What do they believe? The Bradley Method supports quiet, solitude, physical comfort, relaxation, controlled deep breathing and closed eyes as tools for women in labor. The partner is taught to assist the women in maintaining a calm, steady breathing during contractions. Standard length of classes are 12 weeks long and there is a hearty emphasis on education for the expectant parents, including anatomy. Dr. Bradley strongly recommends good nutrition by following the Brewers Diet.

Is it right for me? This method teaches very good techniques to help support women through natural childbirth. One has to be very dedicated to this method to finish the 12 weeks and to take in all of the academics of the classes. The emphasis on reducing fear and muscle tension during birth, can be an important piece to birth for some. 12 weeks can be a long time to commit to classes for some and if you are not needing to have all of the academics of childbirth, this class may not be for you. Another point to consider is whether you and you partner feel that this is the best role for him/her?

Where can I find a class in my area? There are Bradley Method Childbirth Education classes available in our area. Go to bradleybirth.com to find one. These classes are often taught by a husband/wife team. If you would prefer a single teacher or different arrangement make sure to inquire before taking the class.

July 10, 2015 /

Hypnobirthing – The Mongan Method

– Hypnobirthing –

What is HypnoBirthing? Hypnobirthing, The Mongan Method was first established in the United States and was founded by Marie Mongan. Marie or “Mickey” Mongan is a licensed hypnotherapist, hypnoanesthesiologist, and instructor of hypnotherapy. Hypnobirthing is based on the work of Dr. Dick-Read who hypothesized that when women give birth in fear, they experienced pain because the fear resists the physiological process of the body during labour. Mrs. Mongan birthed 4 children during the 1950’s and 1960’s. She did so in a hospital setting, using the theories of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read. The last two babies were born without the use of any anesthesia.

When Mongan’s daughter became pregnant, she reflected back to her own labor experiences and using her skills as a Master Hypnotherapist, she developed a Hypnobirthing program. Her daughters birth was successful and word began to spread of her new technique. Several other hypnotherapists asked Mongan to teach them her method and from there the program grew exponentially.
Medical Professional and Childbirth Educators became interested in this new method of giving birth calmly, with minimal pain. From there the HypnoBirthing Institute was born has been growing ever since.

What Do They Believe? Hypnobirthing is a powerful and simple method which promotes relaxation during pregnancy and childbirth by releasing conscious and subconscious fears. Based on the ideas of Dick-Read, hypnobirthing aims to break the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome.

Is It Right For Me? This can be a valuable tool for women who can really relax and let go in labor. This method strongly supports the belief that fear leads to pain and therefore if you can remove your fear you will have no pain, or no pain too strong for you. This belief may leave one without a focus point if they do experience pain in labor. Also, there is no preparation for a different experience if things don’t go as planned, so one may feel lost if they developed complications during birth. If you are one, who feel like they need to more preparation or would like a broader focus this class may not be for you. Where Can I Find a Class in My Area? There are several classes available in the Marin / Sonoma area.

1) Debbie Catz, M.S.W. is located in Sonoma and be reached at: 707-721-1500 or debbie@NorCalHypno.com.

2) Offered at Thrive Birth Center in Santa Rosa or Online through Blue Lotus Fertility. bluelotusfertility.com

July 9, 2015 / 1

Lamaze for Parents

– Lamaze for Parents –

What is Lamaze Class? The Lamaze method was founded by Dr. Lamaze. It was later developed into childbirth education classes which grew into a nationwide non-profit organization by Marjoie Karmel and Elizabeth Bing. Classes promote relaxation, continuous emotional support from partner, breathing techniques and other tools to help mothers birth with confidence.

What do they believe? Classes are based on the belief that creating a partnership with the provider, involving a birth partner and making support and education available to expectant mothers increases chances of a healthy birth, pregnancy and early parenting. The main principles of the Lamaze Method focus on the normalcy of childbirth, women’s inner wisdom as a guide through labor, the capability of women to birth naturally without interventions and the acknowledgment of the effects of birth on a woman, her partner and their family.

Is it right for me? This method has simple guidelines and evidence based information. The classes are great for integrating fathers and partners and can prepare you for your birthing experience in any setting: home, hospital or birthing center. If you’re looking for something that focuses more on an in depth holistic approach to childbirth, this class may not be for you. Call first to make

sure that this class can give you what you’re looking for in a Childbirth Education Class, because although Lamaze may be advertised in the name, the classes vary in content and focus, depending on where it is held and who is teaching.

Where can I find a class in your area?

To find a Lamaze class or Lamaze for parents, go to:

www.lamaze.org/findalamazechildbirthclass

June 14, 2015 /

Beautiful Birth Story