Morgan's Birth Story - Part 1

We were so excited when we found out last March that we were going to be blessed with another baby! Malachi has brought so much joy into our lives, and we were thrilled to be adding another little one to our family. "Children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is His reward!" Ps. 127

I had a decent birth experience with Malachi. I used a CNM (certified nurse midwife – for an explanation of the different types of midwives, click HERE) and delivered at a hospital. We had a little trouble convincing the nurse that the manager of the maternity floor as well as my midwife had given permission for me to eat and to not be hooked up to the IV. I felt rushed when I was informed that if I didn’t dilate another 2 cm. soon, the midwife would break my water. She also did not attempt to help me stretch, but instead just cut me. Overall, we were so thankful for a safe and relatively good experience with my first birth, but I knew it could be better.

When we moved to back to AZ, I found out that there were no midwives who delivered at the local hospital. Yikes! I have no doubt that there are good OB doctors out there, but since I had a completely uncomplicated pregnancy and birth, I simply saw no need for a doctor. We had considered a home birth with Malachi, but decided for my first birth we’d be more comfortable at a hospital. Now that we knew what birth was all about, we were comfortable with the idea of a home birth. After much reading and research, we were convinced that it is not only a safe option but in some cases a safer option than hospital birth for low risk pregnancies – less intervention, more sanitary, more comfortable for mother (leading to shorter labors).

We found a CPM (certified professional midwife) from Vegas. We were so pleased with the personal care we received from her and her partners. We saw her monthly, then every 2 weeks, then weekly, just as you would with a normal OB. The appointments were so thorough, and they all lasted at least an hour (we ask lots of questions and like to talk!). I was thrilled with the fact that she has only performed one episiotomy of the 1,800 babies she has delivered, and less than one in 10 of her patients experience minor tears. I wouldn’t have to fight for my right to eat, walk around, be comfortable, move as my body told me to, and deliver in the most comfortable position for me. And who likes going to the hospital in the first place?

I also appreciated her prevention-based care. She was very concerned with my diet, making sure I ate plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and drank LOTS of water. Cranberry pro-biotic and colloidal silver were used to treat a bad UTI – it was gone the next week. No antibiotics were needed. This was great since during my last pregnancy I had a horrible reaction to an antibiotic that was prescribed to me.

We decided to deliver the baby at Marty and Sheila’s (Travis’s parents) for legal reasons – my midwife is not licensed in AZ – and also because my midwife had back surgery and her recovery was much slower than anticipated. The ride to AZ would be very difficult. So on Nov. 12, Malachi and I headed to Vegas. We had no idea how long our stay would be. A day? A week? A couple weeks? No one guessed we’d be there a MONTH! Every day for the whole month, we thought, “This could be the day.” And another day would pass. Travis had to work, so he drove back and forth during his weekends. Finally, we decided if the baby wasn’t born by Sunday, Dec. 6th (2 weeks past his due date, Nov. 22^nd), we would induce. Travis had to work the Saturday before, and was going to drive up wither that night or Sunday morning. He surprised me by getting off work early and showing up Friday night! I was so shocked and relieved!

Saturday came and went… still no baby. I went to bed, intent on getting lots of rest. I was going to have my baby the next day – finally, after a month of anticipation! Sunday morning we had an appointment to be at the midwife’s house at 10:00. I got up and as I got ready to shower, I felt a small gush of water. “Could it be?” I wondered. Not wanting to get everyone excited over nothing, I just took my shower and waited to see what happened. A contraction here, a contraction there. I’d been having contractions on and off all month, so this wasn’t too exciting. But they kept coming, and they seemed to be coming pretty regularly. As I went downstairs, I must’ve had a certain look on my face because Travis said, “Are you in labor?” My response shocked him: I think I may be! How perfect! I wouldn’t have to be induced!

I will try to write the rest of the story soon! Check back soon!

(The above picture is the night before I went into labor. My mom treated me to a pedicure! My great-grandma, Meme, my Grandma Vickie, Aunt Pam also joined us!)