Big Sisters Welcome Baby Brother Gavriel!

Our journey to home birth was a challenging, but fulfilling one. We had previously gone through three hospital births, all with a doula, bringing us three beautiful little girls. While the outcome was amazing each time, I felt somewhat troubled by the labor and birth process. Having done a lot of reading prior to my firstborn, I was well aware of all the pitfalls of hospital births. Each time, I came in defensively and ready to advocate for myself and the birth process I desired. However, having to be on the defensive, and constantly on the alert, took away from my ability to be totally present and immersed in the beauty of each labor, delivery and postpartum care. So, when it came to having our fourth, we decided to give the birth center a try. Fortuitously, as it turns out, they were filled up for June! My husband was much more comfortable resorting to the hospital route. However, having felt enticed for a number of years by alternatives to a conventional hospital setting, I took the opportunity to investigate the home birth option. As I read all about it, I became absolutely certain that this was the route for me. While it took some nurturing on my part, I was able to convince my husband to meet with Christy and Meredith to learn more about it. Christy and Meredith were incredibly adept at addressing my husband’s concerns in a validating, fact-based way; as well as reinforcing for me the empowerment and comfort I would experience through a home birth. They made clear that a home birth isn’t a one-size-fits-all model; but rather they could individualize the experience to make it technically, emotionally and physically comfortable for each couple. Each subsequent meeting with the midwives leading up to the birth further aligned me and my husband. By the time labor began, we were both excited to be in the comfort of our own home and to experience the process on our terms.

The actual birth itself was completely pleasant and comfortable. The labor progressed faster than the typical indicators led Meredith to believe–who had planned to arrive earlier than Christy during labor; but Meredith was completely calm (and calming) throughout and made sure Christy made it to the scene by the time of the birth itself. Once the baby emerged, they were equally adept at caring for him as they were for me and we had total faith that we were in good hands. My husband and I had a million questions during the weeks that followed about new and natural ways to care for any small ailments that arose – both for mom and baby – and they had their own unique answers for everything; and their “less is more” approach definitely had a greater impact on our recovery and well being than the suggestions we were given by the traditional medical establishment. All in all, from pre-care to post-care, this was the right decision for us and an approach that we wish we had given consideration to earlier in our child-bearing lives.

Proud Daddy Benoy celebrating his first Father's Day with Heidi & Elina!

I remember my first meeting with Meredith when looking for midwives and I knew she was perfect for us.  It seemed like she was very evidence-based,  had over 500 births of experience, had a low hospital transport rate, and most importantly we immediately connected with one another.  I am a professor in physical therapy and know first hand how many unnecessary procedures are performed in our health care system that pose risk to the individual, and, as a birthing woman, I wanted to be empowered with knowledge and given the freedom to make my own decisions for myself and the baby.  Every experience I had thereafter validated our decision to work with Meredith and Christy.  They created a safe home environment that allowed my husband and I to deliver our baby with minimal intervention.  It was evident that being at my birth was not a job for them but rather a spiritual experience bringing a soul into the world. I want to be with these midwives again if I have a future birth and plan on referring my friends and colleagues in the area who may now be considering a home birth!

PS. This is from Benoy, my husband and a man of few words: Meredith and Christy were amazing.  It takes much more courage to let go and guide the birthing process.  I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (first soak in 2 cups of water for 2-12 hours and rinse)
• 1/2 cup pitted dates (can substitute other sweetener)
• 1/2 vanilla bean or 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch sea salt
• 5 cups water

Put the pumpkin seeds, dates, vanilla bean, salt and water in the blend and belnd until smooth. Can strain through cheese cloth if desired.

Will keep for 4 days in the fridge.

from Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen

I never thought I would have a child.  Even as a young girl I would tell my parents and friends that I was never having children.  And I meant it.  Right up until the moment when the pregnancy test said positive…

Spring 2009.  The circumstances of my pregnancy were far from ideal.  The father wasn’t in the picture, my family lived miles away, and my friends lived in every major city but this one.  I was alone, scared, and pretty sure I had no idea what I was doing.

Welcome, baby Simone.

My first call to the doctor proved me right.  Where and with whom did I want to deliver?  Oh.  I would have to call back.  A quick search online and a hasty decision was made- I would deliver with the midwives in my ob/gyn’s office.   Appointment made, I went about my life as usual, only now tired and pregnant.

The next few months would prove to be challenging.  Family members and friends expressed their disappointment and clear disagreement with my choice to keep the pregnancy, something I was not prepared for nor equipped to deal with (oh, pregnancy hormones!).  Embarrassment and doubt over my situation began to creep into my own mind with each centimeter my belly crept out.  By the end of summer I no doubt was down-right depressed.   I still had no idea what I was doing.

As the leaves of fall began to turn, so did things with me.  My friend and future birthing partner, Sean, flew in from Brazil and we began attending birth classes together. I was beginning to feel that things might be okay.  On the second day of class, however, we toured the birthing center where I had planned to give birth.  The environment, while more relaxed than a hospital delivery room, was not at all what I had pictured. Upon leaving the class, I fell apart.  Having an ‘ideal’ birth was the one thing I had managed to still hold onto.  When I closed my eyes and envisioned it, it was warm, homey, welcoming, and filled with love and openness.  Not filled with nurses and hospital machines.  I wanted a home birth.

Sean, without my saying a word, must have sensed this.  He found Motherland Midwifery’s website and encouraged me to just look at it.  I did.  Two days later I decided it was worth a call.  I’m SO glad I did.  It was the warmth I needed for the impending winter…

Not only did Christy provide me with a feeling of kindness and acceptance, she made me excited about having a child.  I hadn’t given any thought to how I might raise my daughter, hadn’t thought about much beyond ‘oh my goodness I’m having a baby’.  The love of the process, the love of the mother and child oozed out of Christy.  It was intoxicating.  I began to get excited about the baby growing inside me and the possibilities that lay ahead.

Christy asked a lot of questions.  She knew more about my pregnancy in one visit than the other midwives had after 35 weeks of care.   She had suggestions for pre-birth, post-birth.  She had a library of dvd’s and books, websites, and even list-serves to support the progression into motherhood.  She gave advice and encouragement that I very much needed.  I began to soften.

And gain strength.  My mom was very verbal about her disapproval of my choice for a homebirth. Concerned for my safety, she offered the same objections that I’d met with countless others. Homebirth ain’t for everybody, but I knew it was for me. We’d done all the homework, weighed the risks, and were confident that we could do it the old-fashioned way with guidance from Christy.

Strong, beautiful laboring mother

Finally, the time was upon us.  After days of pre-labor contractions, I was not progressing. Sean and I were frustrated and tired. This being our first pregnancy, and first encounter with natural childbirth, our lack of experience was wearing away my confidence. I feared we’d have to go to the hospital to induce labor. My mom was on her way into town, and thus adding pressure to the situation.  We called Christy, told her what we were thinking, and asked her to come over. Christy arrived to a scene full of worry and discontent, but her patience was enough to soothe us through one more rough night.  We decided to postpone our surrender until the next day.

As it turned out, the wait was a short one.  My mom arrived as labor began to progress before midnight.  Christy returned, and labor continued smoothly until the next morning, when we welcomed my daughter, Simone Anais into this world.  She was beautiful, healthy, and strong.  And born into a room surrounded by warmth, openness, and love while outside the flurries of the season’s first blizzard touched down.  Christy, Meredith, Sean, and even my Mom had helped me realize my dream of giving birth.

Powerful mama births Simone!

I’ve grown so much in the last year, through pregnancy, birth, and now 3 months of motherhood. I have come to fully embrace my new role, and this new life with which I’ve been blessed.  The decision to give birth naturally at home opened a door to my motherly intuition that I know will guide me through the journey ahead.  Thanks to all of those who made it happen!

Deanne Allegro

P.S. I’ve even heard that my mom actually thought the whole experience was ‘cool’ and brags about being there to her friends.

Baby Uma

The moon at the time of Uma’s birth was nearing fullness. Of course, the moon, which has influenced many a woman’s labor over the thousands of years of birthing, played a strong role in my birth experience. Two weeks before the “due date,” my husband had gone out to Los Angeles to surprise his dad for his 60th birthday. I said he may not get the chance to see his dad for a long time and things weren’t going to happen with the birth for a while. I was so wrong.

I started contractions the day after he left. It’s a good thing Meredith was so gently firm about telling him to come back because he caught the last flight out that would have allowed him to come home and help get the last minute stuff done and sleep the tiniest bit before the birth. All in all, I had over two days of contractions.

On the night of the full moon, I found them growing stronger. I wavered in that early time, not sure I could handle them, feeling them getting away from me. It was at that point that there came into my mind the image of a river. I lay down in the river and let the water rush over me, the rhythm of the water becoming the rhythm of the contraction. I felt on top of the contractions again and able to breathe using the river’s rhythm. A few hours later, the contractions got to to the point that I needed to start making noise to get inside them, some low moans. Twice I felt nauseated and threw up in the bathroom during contractions. My husband woke up from hearing me and started timing them. It was around 3:15 in the morning and the contractions were steadily four minutes apart. I got up again to throw up, and, while doing so, my water broke. My husband called Meredith who said she was on her way.

The new family.

I’m not sure when Janelle showed up (Janelle herself nearing the end of her pregnancy with baby Ami), but Meredith arrived around four or a bit after. They filled the birth tub. I was in bed all that time. I thought to myself that I could be in for another day at this intensity. I wasn’t sure I could handle that, but I needed to focus to breathe through the contractions and use my visualization so I put my mind to the present moment. I was proud of myself for snapping myself out of it; surely the preparation and midwifery care were key.

At some point I got out of bed because I couldn’t lie down any more. The contractions were definitely strong at this point and close together. Now, I was visualizing a wave with my focus on the crest, staying on top of that crest while the power of the wave of water propelled me ahead. I thought to myself “Open.” “Release.” I didn’t think about getting in the tub yet. Instead, I needed my husband to hold me tight so I could hang a bit while we swayed and I moaned (more loudly and longer all the time). He was giving me coconut water to drink on and off to keep hydrated and energized. Those little bursts of flavor felt so nourishing, exactly what I needed. I couldn’t ask for them though; it just wasn’t on my mind, so I am grateful that he was there to support me and keep those things in mind so I could focus on my visualization, breathing and mantras.

I remember thinking that what I felt was not pain, that it was intense, but I could handle it so it must be that the really hard stuff hadn’t come yet. I remember feeling so grateful to be in my home and wondering why anyone would go to the hospital. I also remember asking Meredith and my husband if I was doing the right thing. It was soon after that, during one of the contractions, that I felt a shift. A sudden urge to bear down and push came over me. I thought, “Wow, this is early to feel like pushing.” I asked Meredith if it was alright for me to feel like pushing so early in the process. No one had checked me and told me how far along I was– I never got one vaginal exam, for which I am deeply grateful — but Meredith said to go with what my body was telling me. She must have known from experience what my sounds were telling her.

Meredith with Uma.

Around that point someone asked if I wanted to get in the tub. That helped, but things were really intense here because I was starting to feel like pushing at the end of the contractions. That was overwhelming, the urge to push, but that burning was the first thing nearing pain that I had felt so far. I wanted to take it slow because tearing was the one thing I had wanted to avoid, so I would push and back off.

All this time, Janelle was checking Uma’s heartbeat with the Doppler, and she was going strong. Meredith was really more present with me through this part in just the way I needed, just as she left me to labor alone earlier. I could sense her and hear her support. Somewhere in me I felt safe and able to let go because I knew and trusted that she was there for me and my baby. At some point, Meredith said I could reach down and feel the head. This was real! I was so happy!

The pushing had just begun though. This was the hardest part. At one point, I looked out the window and saw that it was getting light outside. The sun was rising, and the full moon was still in the sky. In those special celestial moments, Uma was still crowning. Meredith wanted me to push out her head so her heart rate didn’t stay lowered too long from the pressure. So, I pushed as hard as I could bear while she helped the head come out. I felt such relief from that pressure, but with the next urge I was back to pushing again and out came the body. I was overwhelmed with what I had just done and kept saying, “I did it! I can’t believe I did it!” I was transported. I felt such strong love for her, to hold her after all that time.

I got out of the tub and into bed in about five steps. How glorious for my baby to be born in our very own bedroom where we were surrounded by home with all its comforts. Gopinath cut the umbilical cord, a thick thing! Uma nursed within an hour of birth. The midwives left to give us some time as a new family to love each other up. Meredith took Uma after about an hour and a half to weigh and measure and do all the little reflex checks right in our bed. The midwives cleaned up. Randy brought us much needed food. The midwives hugged us and departed not nearly as long after their arrival as anyone might have expected — a four hour birth! After they left we all slept for six hours–our first family nap!

Welcome to the world!

My spirit swells with joy and gratitude for the whole blessed experience, from pregnancy to birth. I am grateful to my husband for being my calm, steady, and yet barely detectable rock and for believing in me deep down to his core. I know I felt that confidence and that it fed my own. I am grateful to Meredith. Her consistent, calm confidence in me, in birth itself, made my journey through miscarriage, pregnancy, and birth free of fear and doubt…truly joyous and the deep spiritual journey I wished for! Indeed I am grateful to my entire support team: Janelle for being my birth preparation coach and cheerleader. Each person allowed me to find my own way with no intervention or interruption. Through the care Meredith and Janelle gave me throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum visits emails and phone calls, they respected me and my baby as the reflections of divinity that we represent. They respected the birth process for the deep, natural and spiritual journey of transformation that is. Thanks to them, my birth experience is a cherished gift that will keep on giving.

Itzela a Spanish name meaning ‘protected one’- pronounced as ee-tsela. A name we searched for after our experience together & born from our gratitude that she was protected & able to join us safely despite the perilous challenge with her short cord.

Domenica was Christy’s Italian grandmother’s middle name & it means ‘Belonging to God’. Gram’s birthday was on July 21st-looking back we laugh at our thinking ‘maybe the baby will come on Gram’s birthday!’

We have an eye toward calling the baby ‘Zela’ although a bunch of nicknames are being born each day! Zela means ‘sacred’ in Greek & also derives from having zeal, zest & passion for life!

It’s a big name for a little girl but she’s already more than matching it & it fits her perfectly!

Look forward to sharing more about this wild ride when as we settle into our babymoon…thanks for the love & support of our family!

Love,

Christy, Martin & Itzela

Christy delivered her 8lb 5oz daughter (name soon to be announced) on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 5:09 pm.  She entered the world bright eyed, alert and telling her story to all who were listening!

After weeks of starts and stops, 3 days of labor at home, and complete dilation for a very long time, “pumpkin” wasn’t descending despite Christy’s most valiant efforts.  She had a “Mama’s intuition” that something wasn’t right, because with the strongest, bearing down contractions, the baby seemed to be moving up in her belly instead of down.

Wednesday morning, the decision was made to go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania .  After more labor there, including 3+ hours of pitocin augmentation, it became clear that baby could not make her way safely into the world by being pushed out, and the decision was finally made to deliver by c-section.  Lo and behold, the baby’s cord was very short – less than a foot long in total.  The doctors couldn’t stop commenting on it, and it was the shortest cord Christy and the other midwives present had ever seen.  Poor little one was doing all she could but couldn’t descend because there wasn’t enough length for her to make it out vaginally.  Thankfully, she had a super healthy placenta and mom and baby are doing great.  Daddy Martin is absolutely over the moon and adorable with the baby and is so proud of Christy.

Christy feels confident that she did everything possible to have her baby at home, vaginally, and it just wasn’t in the cards for her this time.  Those who were with her were moved and inspired by her strength and determination. As her dear friend and midwife, Carrie Kimball, put it, “I wanted to share that as her midwife, being with Christy was the most incredible birth experience I have had. Her strength, determination and commitment was something to behold…My story is simply one of gratitude and thanks at being a part of such a profound process with a beautiful ending.”

It is an epic birth story.

The happy family arrived home on Sunday and is doing great. Baby is gorgeous, alert and nursing well and Christy and Martin are both overjoyed and enjoying the start of their babymoon. The outpouring of love and support they have received has been such a blessing.  They are so thankful for the incredible community of families we have here! The generosity everyone has demonstrated with meals, well wishes, offers of help and also gifts has been so appreciated and received in love and gratitude.

Visit Langdon Photography’s blog to see some photos of the new family when they arrived home on Sunday night!

Here is a gallery of a few favorite images. Check back soon for more.

Meredith, Christy and Ally, my doula, all arrived within forty five minutes.     Tod and I were both relieved to see them, partly because we knew he wouldn’t be delivering the baby in the bathtub.  The most comfortable position for me at this time was lying down on the bed.   The contractions were further apart and less intense like this.  Christy gently reminded me that we want the contractions because that’s what helps the baby come out.  So at that I decided to stand up and walk around.  Yes that did help!  After the birthing pool was set up I got into it and it felt so nice.  The warm water really helped.   Christy recommended different positions for me to try and Meredith would check the baby’s heart rate regularly.  The contractions were intense and close together but I breathed through each one.  I listened intently and tried to execute the directions given by Meredith and Christy knowing that my cooperation would speed up this process and I could soon meet my baby.  Meredith gave me a soothing lower back massage with some scented oil.  I remember Christy saying “ That’s it you’re done with that contraction you’ll never have to do that one again”  That really helped me to get through each one.  At one point I felt a light stinging in my lower abdomen. Meredith said the baby was coming and she could see my bag in the water.  I couldn’t’ believe how fast everything was going.
I got out of the pool and tried squatting on a birthing stool but I was too tired and just wanted to lie down on the bed.  The contractions changed to a bearing down type feeling that made me want to push.   The pushing felt good.  It didn’t seem like it took that long either.  The next thing I knew I had a beautiful, dark haired, lil’ man on my belly.   My husband and I cried and cried.  All I kept saying was thank you, thank you, thank you to Meredith & Christy for all they had done to help me deliver this beautiful baby in the comfort of our home.  It was a magical, miraculous, euphoric, wonderful moment I’ll never forget and I’m so glad they were a part of it.

Meredith & Christy examine Nicholas head to toe!

Mama and midwife check out precious baby boy!

Laboring.

It’s true that you never forget your birth experience.  Even if you have a rubbish memory like myself, you’ll remember every last detail.  When my daughter Olive was born at Pennsylvania hospital in 2007.  Her actual birth was incredible, but I hated the cold feel of the hospital.  I hated having to be so present in my labor to avoid unnecessary medical interventions.  When I discovered I was pregnant again I knew with my whole heart that my baby would be born at home.  I had met Christy prior to Olive’s birth. My husband and I had just relocated to the States from England and unfortunately our insurance wouldn’t cover home birth and neither would our savings account so hospital it had to be. We knew then that the 2nd time around Christy would be catching our baby.  Christy knew this too and we kept in touch throughout my pregnancy with Olive and as soon as I saw the plus sign on the stick I was practically on the phone.  I used to dread my appointments at the hospital, never knowing who I would see or how long it would take.  This time it was always Christy and our appointments didn’t even feel like appointments, more like visits with a friend.   It was amazing to know that Christy would be there through it all.  The prenatal, the birth and for post natal support.

Baby Luke.

When labor finally began at 40 weeks, 5 days around 10pm I called Christy to let her know things were moving along. I wanted to give her the heads up so she could get some sleep in case I might need to call her in the middle of the night.  She thought it would be a good idea to come over right then to see how things were going.  She was here before I knew it to find me standing up rocking my hips side to side, the only “comfortable” position I could find.   Contractions were only 7 minutes apart but they were strong while I was having them.  I asked if we should fill up the tub but we agreed it might be too soon for that.  She and Steve did blow it up so that it would be ready when it was time to fill it.  Meanwhile I kept having contractions and getting annoyed that they weren’t getting closer together.  Christy offered to check me and even though I was sure I must be 7cms I was only 4cm.  I desperately wanted a plan.  So Christy suggested I lie down for a half hour or so, then I could walk up and down the stairs and we’d fill the tub and see where we’d be at.  So Steve and I crashed into bed and Christy went downstairs to snooze on the couch.

Precious moment.

He fell instantly to sleep. I did too for a little while, before waking with the most painful contraction yet.  I screamed out in pain and although I didn’t wake my husband, I did wake my midwife.  Christy turned on the light and said “how ya doing there mama?”  All at once I was in action mode: “My water is going to break!” “Fill up the tub!” “Get my sister!” Steve scrambled to fit the hose to the sink.  Christy told him to get Karen up and managed to get me out of bed an into the bathroom.  I kept going on about the tub and how we needed to fill it and Christy gently let me know that there wasn’t time to fill the tub but that I was going to meet my baby really soon.  My water conveniently broke right on the toilet and I screamed that I had to push.

New arrival.

Our bathroom is super tiny so Christy thought we should go back into the bedroom.  I told her I was worried that I might squish the baby’s head but she told me that wouldn’t happen and into the bedroom we went.  My body began pushing and after a few quick pushes Christy’s hands caught our baby.  My husband let out a whoop “It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” and I looked down at the baby beneath me in utter disbelief that once again my body had brought forth new life.  The very best part of homebirth was only just beginning.  We snuggled up with our baby boy in our bed, in our room, in our home.

Daddy and Luke.

Olive had woken up by this point and my sister brought her in to meet her baby brother Luke.   With wonder she took in her new baby brother, almost afraid to touch him.  That moment was so sweet, our little family so complete. I spent the next two weeks on “babymoon”.  Something I had originally thought I would dread, I relished.  Two weeks spent memorizing little hands, little feet, nourishing his little body was indeed the best thing for us both.  It seemed even more important to incorporate this bonding time with my son, because before we knew it life was back into the everyday chaos being a mother brings. The support I had from Christy was so important and special and different from my previous experience.  I feel so lucky to have experienced homebirth and how joyful it can be.

A surge

Like summer thunder

Pounded the earth

Beneath my squatting legs,

Tearing open the seam

In the unseen curtain

Between dimensions

Of earth and spirit.

The elders peered with knowing curiosity

From the other side

To witness the sacred re-entry

Of one of their own.

Layers of logic and grace melt

In the swelter of sweat,

Removing the coat of commoner

To reveal the warrior within.

Heavy air vibrates

With the urgent call to fight

Another surge pounds,

Its power rushing upward

Through my feet, up my sturdy legs

And the warrior lets out her cry!

Within this shaft of mystery

Connecting heaven to earth beneath

I exist between dimensions

Chosen for this task.

Midwife calls me back into time

Partner holds tight

So the power can’t take me.

The bettles rises

In a ring of fire

Push, push, sweat and bleed

Soul and body unite and thrive

He is here, we have won,

The battle ceases instantly.

Energy stills

Into a blanket of peace.

At a moment one become two,

But still one, mother-child,

I give him my breast

He drinks.

by Charmaine Rusin,

mom of Reese, New Years Baby 2009 &

expecting baby number 2 January 2011