Birth #22 December 19, 2007

Well…this being my first post about a recent birth I have attended, I thought I should clarify that I am only numbering the births for my reference and to keep my clients names private.

This birth was with a couple that I had taught Childbirth Classes to a couple of years ago.  I was also with them for the birth of their first child. 

I got the first call from her at about 6 a.m.,  she thought this might be it, but would call me back as soon as things picked up.  Well…as things seem to go the more children you have, you can’t hardly tell. 

So, I didn’t receive another phone call until 2 days later at 5 a.m.. 

This time it was the real deal.  It was still very early on, but the sensation of the contractions had definitely changed.

Jumping the ”birth gun” I rushed my daughter off to school and got everything in place for the babysitter to come take over.

I waited for about 3 hours before calling her back.  I called just to check and make sure this was really it and she confirmed that it indeed was, they were just waiting on things to get a little stronger.

Hearing her voice it really seemed like either she was handling thins incredibly well (which she had with her last baby) or she was still very early on.

So, the babysitter got to my house about 10:30.  I headed out and went into town.

I waited for quite a while and decided to do some shopping.  While I was out, I got a call from another client of mine that I had been trying to get together with to meet her husband.  Well..it just so happened that they were around the corner at a restaurant.

So I made my way over the the restaurant and met with my other client and her husband.  We had a great meeting and then I got another call from my client that was in labor.

They had decided to come into town and walk a while before going into the hospital.

Her husband felt like it might be about time for me to come over and give them a hand.

I got to the hospital and rushed in thinking they were already checked in. 

I was more concerned this time being her second baby that she would progress more quickly, especially since she had done such a great job last time.

This labor however seemed to be just putting along at the average rate.

When I realized they were not checked in, I went back outside and found them walking the local streets during the contractions.

 She was doing a great job, but from the look on her face it appeared that she was still in early labor.

We continued to walk for another hour around the hospital until she decided she would be more comfortable in a room.

Once we checked in, the nurse examined her and said she had progressed to 5 cm.

I have to say that she was a little disappointed.  But thing were going very well and she handled each contraction beautifully.

She relaxed so well, that you would literally think she was sleeping.  I was so proud of her.

The nurse came back in about 2 hours later and examined her again, to find that she was still at about 5cm.

I asked the mother if she wanted to take a shower and she thought that that would feel nice.

So, she got in the shower and between her husband, mother in law and myself, we held the shower head over her lower back for about 45 minutes or so. 

The shower seemed to really be helping thing progress.  She began to feel nauseated and wanted to be checked again.

The nurse examined her as soon as she got back in bed and she had progressed to 7.5 cm.

Yay!

We were all very encouraged.

She continued to labor in bed and tried squatting for a couple of contractions.

She labored about an hour longer and then began feeling the urge to push.

She had had some problems with tearing with the birth of her first child, so there was some concern this time as well.

During the pushing the father told the Dr. (this was not their primary dr.) that she had some problems with tearing last time. 

It was humorous because he kind of looked at him and said, well do you want me to give her an episiotomy?

The husband said no.

The doctor said “o.k., well, I will do the best I can”.

I guess I thought it was funny because the doctor was confused.

The doctor did a wonderful job at helping to stretch her perineum and help the baby be born.

The couple had a healthy baby boy.  He was born at 5:35 p.m.

The mom gave birth and didn’t even need a stitch.  She had some minor tears, but nothing that needed any attention.

I was so impressed.  The father did a great job and really knew his wife well.

The mother could not have done better.

It was so emotional. 

I was overwhelmed with joy for them.

Time in Birthland December 17, 2007

Before we ever moved to New Mexico Robin had secured a job with the ski school teaching 6 - 12 year olds.  I really would like to point out that my husband had ulterior motives in moving.

Anyway,

I got to NM and began working as a student at the birth center.  It was such an incredible experience.

I attended many prenatal, postpartum and home visits.  I also attended 5 births while I was there. 

I got so much hands on experience.  At one of the births I attended, I helped hold things in place for suturing, which was really a very cool experience.

During the time I worked there, they had 4 midwives, 2 doctors, one nurse, 4 students and 2 office staff.  Everyone was so wonderful.  They all went out of their way to make me feel a part of the team.

One of the doctors (Heidi Rheinhardt) taught me how to draw blood ON HER.  I couldn’t believe she would bear her own veins and let me take a stick, but she did.  I didn’t even bruise her arm.  I have to say that I was pretty proud of that.

I also watched a woman get her Norplant removed.  I think I almost fainted on that one.  Rudy (the other Dr. and husband to Heidi) told me that I needed to be doing something to help so that I wouldn’t faint.  I made a mental note of that.

I learned so much in the short time I was there. 

I learned how to do pelvic exams, full physicals, take notes in a chart, support women in labor, draw blood, read test results, etc…

 We also spent our first Thanksgiving away from home with the students from the birth center.

That was an experience in itself. 

We got to the house were the feast would be at and there was a tee-pee in the front yard and dogs charging our car.

Well, if you have ever been to Northern New Mexico, you would have realized very quickly that it is full of hippies.  It is just a beautiful place to live close to nature, so I guess that is why there is an abundance of hippies there.

I have always thought that in my heart I was just a Jesus freak hippie.

So, we make it past the frothing at the mouth dogs and the tee-pee and go inside.

Everyone was super sweet and welcomed us.

Before we ate they asked us to all get in a circle and “Ohm”.  Now I would like you to keep in mind that Robin and I are straight up Christians and don’t do any “Ohming” except for meditating with God.

So, Robin and I bow our heads and pray.

After we “Ohmed”, we were offered Tofurkey, cranberry dressing and sage stuffing; which was all very good.  While we were hanging out, someone came over and asked Robin if he wanted to go out for a “smoke”.

Here again, hippies and smoking don’t always equal tobacco.  Since Robin and I don’t “smoke” we passed and just visited with the other people for a while.

The rest of my three months spent at the birth center were wonderful.  I learned a lot and gained a lot of wisdom on birth.

Unfortunately, we ran out of money to pay for my schooling and so I had to leave the program.  It was a very sad day. 

I did go back and help with receptionist duties from time to time.

Robin and I both ended up working in the same department at the ski valley.  I worked inside with the kids and he worked outside.

Our whole time in New Mexico was such a dream.  We both fulfilled our hearts desires (mostly) and got to just hang out together.

Now that we are a little older and a little wiser, we probably would have stayed longer and waited to have kids.  But….as they say, hind sight is 20/20.

Note to self: don’t wear perfume December 15, 2007

Before we left to go to New Mexico, I had begun volunteering at New Life Birth center here in Austin with MariMikel Penn. 

My first day there I was excited.  Let me just tell you….I was ready to go catch babies if I was needed. 

However, I was also ready for paperwork.

I got there and before I could do anything, I was in the office and MariMikel says

“Erica, you are gonna have to wash that perfume off or go home”.

Holy cow! 

Here I was thinking I was doing good and trying to smell nice and I got the third degree.

I guess it just goes to show my ignorance at the time of women’s noses in a pregnant state.

Trust me…no perfume on this lady any more while in the presence of pregnant women or blunt midwives. 

My opening line December 15, 2007

Before we left Austin, I had visited the birth center in NM and had a wonderful time. 

I promptly wrote them the following letter:

Dear Elizabeth and everyone at the NNMWH&BC,  I would like to thank everyone at the Northern New Mexico Women’s Health and Birth Center for a wonderful experience.  Every moment I was there, I was learning something fascinating.  I believe I have found a wonderful place to begin my career.  It was such an awesome experience to work with each of you.  I feel that I have a passion to be a midwife and work closely with other women. 

Since my visit, my feelings toward this career choice have only become stronger.  I am willing to do what it takes to become a midwife, and I feel that your Birth Center would be the ideal place to get my education.  I realize the road I have chosen is not an easy road.  However, I would rather work hard for something I desire than to settle for something easier.  I am a quick learner and self motivated.  I believe that I would be a great asset to your birth center.  I can be of assistance to you in many ways, from scrubbing equipment to talking to the patients. I really enjoyed working with the patients; each one had their own questions and concerns that were unique to them.

 

Being at the Northern New Mexico Women’s Health and Birth Center, confirmed my belief that a midwife was supposed to be concerned, gentle, helpful, and patient.  I believed a midwife would be there to comfort the patient through every step of her pregnancy and delivery, and assure her of her risks or good health.  I knew that there was more to delivering a child and helping a mother through labor, than just coming in and catching the baby.

 I also wanted to say thank you to Marcy and Hope for letting me come to the home visits with them.  It was an incredible experience to see those beautiful babies and parents so content and secure with the care they were given.  Rose and Carmella were wonderful at making me feel at home while I was there; their friendly smile was so nice to come in and see every morning.   It was such an honor to work with all of you.  I hope that I will soon get the opportunity to learn more from you all. 

Wow!  When I look back on that, I can feel the years flying by.  I am no less passionate now, just a little wiser.I was so overwhelmingly excited when I got the letter of acceptance.

Robin and I had found a place to rent and moved as quickly as we could and with lots of help from his parents.

The Grand Voyage To Birth December 15, 2007

Well, about a year after Robin and I got married, I began seeking out midwifery schools. 
I finally came across one in New Mexico.  
The Northern New Mexico Midwifery Center.
They had an apprentice program for midwifery students (and still do) that was wonderful.

I talked to Robin and he asked where it was.
As soon as the words Taos, New Mexico came out of my mouth, I saw Robin’s eyes light up.
You see, there is a great ski valley there.
My wonderful husband is an avid skier and so, after much arm twisting….we were cooking, as they say.
It took about four months from the time we discussed it, to actually moving up there.

So..my wonderful selfless husband decided it would be a great idea to move to NM for me to get my education to become a midwife.

Hey…maybe he could get a job as a ski instructor or something.

The Beginning of Childbirth December 15, 2007

The first time I remember really noticing birth was in High School. 

I was in between classes and saw a girl that I had been in school with for several years walking to class with a very large belly. 

It suddenly dawned on me…. wow….there is really a baby in that belly. 

Not just a pregnant girl, but a girl and a baby too.

I was amazed and intrigued. 

I thought and thought about the amazing gift of birth and how it happens and knew then that I wanted to be and obstetrician (or so I thought).   I just knew it had to be something with birth in the equation.

After falling in love with birth and incredible inspiration from my High School Anatomy and Physiology teacher Ms. Dahlia Galvan, I knew birth was were I should be.

After graduating, I somehow stumbled upon midwifery and knew that this was how birth should be.

And soo…here I am pursuing my hearts desire.