The Business of Being Born Message Board

I sought out of hospital birth but my parter wasn’t very comfortable with it. I ended up finding an amazing birth center with a wonderful supportive midwife, Michelle. I used HypnoBirth as my main method of pain relief for my birth. I always wanted a water birth, but with my history of short labor I was afraid I wouldn’t get it. My contractions started at about 10pm on Friday May 16, 2008 and using my HypnoBirth methods I relaxed, used my birth ball and took a shower. My partner was sleeping because I thought the contractions were no big deal. All of the sudden they were coming non stop but I felt like my water definitley hadn’t broken. Well, it had broken, conveniently in the shower! I woke up my partner and we headed out for our 45 minute trek to my birth center. I live about 5 minutes away from a hospital but after my first terrible birth experience I was willing to have my baby on the side of the road before going to the hospital! On the drive I listened to my relaxing HypnoBirthing CDs and talked to my parter. When we finally got there I felt no break in between contractions. My midwife Michelle came out to the car to get me (you won’t get that with an OB!) and brought me inside. She started the water because she knew my desire for a water birth. I laid down on the bed in the birthing suit to be checked and I felt pressure. She checked my cervix and then calmly turned off the water. She said “I’m sorry sweetie, you’re not having a water birth, you’re having your baby! See his head!” I looked down and without even beginning to push his head was already emerging. She didn’t tell me every little thing to do which was amazing. She let me do whatever I wanted. She instructed my partner to come catch his baby and all three of us caught him and put him on my chest to begin nursing/bonding. She was the only person in the building and the only other person at our birth, which was so amazing. We bonded for nearly 4 hours before she even took him away to do a newborn exam. It was the most amazing experience of my life! If she were a homebirth midwife I would birth at home, but she’s such an amazing caregiver that for my future children I’ll drive the 45 minutes just to see her. She gave me so much love and support and a desire for natural birth, it’s just the most amazing feeling to hold your baby and be drug free, clear minded and happy as a whole family and to know YOU did it… not a doctor and their forceps.