You’re Doing What?

The first words I would hear after someone would ask where I was delivering. I usually replied with a simple “The Birthing Center of Buffalo”. Most would turn their head cluing for more information, I would then give in and explain I was having an out of hospital birth and planned to do an all natural labor and delivery. The horror that crossed most people’s faces when they realized I was CHOOSING not to use medication. I have been asked several times why I chose to do such a thing and now I will share my own personal reasons.

My first labor and delivery was your textbook story, I saw my OB throughout the entire pregnancy, registered at my local hospital and hoped for the best. I attended the “birthing classes” which were supposed to teach me everything I needed to know. However I left feeling less educated than when I walked in. Sadly this “class” made me feel as if my labor had to fit into a specific box. I was told to track my contractions and once they were at this specific frequency and duration it was go time. However no one informed me of other symptoms of labor and more importantly ways to manage your contractions and the labor process. When I went into labor had I known the upset stomach was actually a clue I would have been better prepared, instead when I felt these ‘tightening” pains I stayed glued to my phone only focusing on the time rather than listening to my body and giving into the contractions. Fast forward to hospital arrival, I was a bundle of nerves in complete panic, walking in at 7 cm dilated. Having lost my mother years prior I arrived at that hospital with very little support and no “birthing team”. A woman in labor is in her most vulnerable state, we need a TEAM. We need women who will advocate for our best interest, whom know what we want out of our labor and delivery. This is something I lacked and it was the first thing I looked for with my second pregnancy. I wanted to feel cared for, supported, and as if I was in control. Cue in the birth center, MD, midwife and doulas. I will elaborate on my experiences with my doula in another post.

Choosing an out of hospital birth is not for everyone, as a nurse I am the first to understand that hospitals are necessary in some situations. As a healthy, active woman with no prior health concerns I was able to choose this route. Side note, had I developed a problem in my pregnancy or needed to be transferred to a hospital it was a quick trip in the car to the area hospital where my MD and birth team would follow. When delivering in the hospital I could not wait to get out, I hated the food (I love food, so this was huge for me LOL), the constant checking my you know what, the constant blood pressures and monitoring, and the fact I just couldn’t sleep well there. The perks of a birthing center birth? You return home 3-4 hours post delivery (this is where everyone looks at me like I have three heads). Now relax I’ll explain, had there been a problem or I needed more monitoring you are not rushed out, the team ensures you are ready and well enough to leave. I was able to go home 4 hours after delivery, ushered tenderly by my ever so loving fiance (the real MVP) and lay in my own bed with my own pillows and no one bothering me to look at my lady bits. You do have an in home visit the following day and are in constant contact with the MD/midwife if needed. You are their main focus and feel the difference compared to an office with hundreds of moms to care for at one time.

My last point I’ll touch on which also swayed my decision were the comforts allowed at the center. You want to drink water? Go ahead! You want to eat some fruit? Feel free (I warned ya, I’m a foodie). You want to strip off all your clothes and labor in a warm tub? Girl, get right in. And guess what all that hydration and nourishment means NO IV necessary, no needles, no bruising. Lastly, fetal monitoring, there was no need for constant monitoring in my labor. I was rather checked periodically throughout labor which allowed for free, unrestricted movement. Which honestly was my main method of handling contractions and the intense “tightening” I felt. Being able to move how my body cued me to was a significant difference than my first delivery where I was planted in a bed with a numb and tingly lower half.

Many ask, which route would I choose if I have another baby? Would I go back to the hospital or choose the birth center again. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous of the unknown when it came to the “pain” I would feel and the difference without an epidural. However given the option I would wholeheartedly choose the birth center ten times over, my main reason? THE RECOVERY! During this pregnancy I was educated on what my body had just done and the serious healing it needed to do and the complete rest it needed in order to heal correctly. This time around I listened to my providers, allowed my body to heal and had very minimal activity for close to two weeks while my fiance cared for me. I am now six weeks postpartum and feel absolutely amazing. Pain and swelling postpartum this time was so minimal, I had no tearing and my body wasn’t swollen with liters of unnecessary fluid pumped into me. Also who doesn’t like the idea being able to immediately have your baby placed on your chest after delivery while you lay in bed uninterrupted with Daddy for well over an hour while you’re able to marvel at the miracle now in your arms. Such a rush of all those feel good hormones. I plan to post my entire birth story next, stay tuned. Also any questions regarding the all natural route feel free to ask!