Why a midwife?
When I got the call that early winter afternoon, I knew I was that much closer to having that dream birth that I had been hoping for since having Clara. I was standing in the +15 after work waiting for my train to come, when I noticed I had a missed call, and a message had been left. I quickly went to listen and sure enough I heard these words:"you've been accepted into midwifery care" oh goodness ... pure joy.
Clara was such a surprise, (a finally we're pregnant surprise) that once we finally found out we were expecting her, it was much too late to get a midwife. If you want a midwife, you almost have to go from reading that positive pregnancy test to immediately submitting your application. What a way to celebrate... !
When we knew that we wanted to start trying again, I kept in mind of my ovulation cycle, thanks to handy ovulation strips! Knowing when that positive would show, and testing twice a day once it came time. Near the end of September there was a positive pregnancy test, so I submitted my application right away. The next day however, there was no baby... it was a chemical pregnancy. A couple days later I got a call from the midwives saying I had been accepted into their care, but I had to sheepishly tell them that I wasn't pregnant. Thankfully, they were understanding, and said to call back again once I saw another positive pregnancy test.
The next time I saw a positive reading, on November 1st, I made to sure wait a few days before I submitted my application. I was only 3weeks and a few days when I found out. Early enough that I knew I had a chance to get assigned with a midwife. When I got that call, I was over the moon excited... and so began my journey with them.
The best way that I can describe the difference between having an OBGN and a Midwife -- care. These midwives all showed kindness, they were all gentle, soft spoken, calm, and tender to me. My assigned midwife actually didn't end up delivering me, but my secondary midwife did, and many times my assigned midwife would tell me: "You will have the midwife that YOU need for your birth attend." Sure enough, the midwife that came was the one I needed. She was more direct then my midwife, and strict. At one point during my labour she told me to go upstairs and stop worrying about everyone... ie. the dogs, if Clara had eaten lunch, when she would go down for a nap... and told me to focus on my body, and listen to it.
I should probably point out that midwives are only able to accept patients who have low risk & singular pregnancies. So when it came down to prenatal appointments, they were always relaxed, and easy going. They mainly asked how I was feeling, what I weighed (never once weighing me), they checked my blood pressure, measured my tummy, and let me listen to baby's heart for as long as I so pleased. It was an intimate appointment every-time... never rushed, never did I feel like just another patient. We would always just end up chatting...
These ladies are trained. Both my midwives at my delivery had previously been labour and delivery nurses for a number of years in hospitals prior to becoming midwives. They have seen it all, all sorts of deliveries, all kinds of stories, and they believe that birth shouldn't be feared... In North America, the doctors instil this fear where giving birth is something that NEEDS to be done in a hospital, because the chances of a woman being able to do it alone, without pain medication, without the proper monitoring, without the supplies of a hospital, it just cannot be done. YOU WILL DIE. THE BABY WILL NOT LIVE.
There is choice. You can choose to deliver in a hospital, you can choose to deliver in a birthing centre, and you can also choose to deliver at home. If you are low risk, and don't need to deliver at a hospital, I encourage you to explore your other options. Don't fear birth. Don't fear the STRENGTH that your body is capable of :)
A midwife can also deliver you at the hospital as well... Which studies have shown that when a midwife is present, the odds of medical intervention is greatly reduced.
The confidence of my midwives poured into me. They gave me that additional strength during my labour, and with that... I had this labour that I will forever remember as the most beautiful adventure, with no fear, or anxiety.
With love,
@simplelifewife
Clara was such a surprise, (a finally we're pregnant surprise) that once we finally found out we were expecting her, it was much too late to get a midwife. If you want a midwife, you almost have to go from reading that positive pregnancy test to immediately submitting your application. What a way to celebrate... !
When we knew that we wanted to start trying again, I kept in mind of my ovulation cycle, thanks to handy ovulation strips! Knowing when that positive would show, and testing twice a day once it came time. Near the end of September there was a positive pregnancy test, so I submitted my application right away. The next day however, there was no baby... it was a chemical pregnancy. A couple days later I got a call from the midwives saying I had been accepted into their care, but I had to sheepishly tell them that I wasn't pregnant. Thankfully, they were understanding, and said to call back again once I saw another positive pregnancy test.
The next time I saw a positive reading, on November 1st, I made to sure wait a few days before I submitted my application. I was only 3weeks and a few days when I found out. Early enough that I knew I had a chance to get assigned with a midwife. When I got that call, I was over the moon excited... and so began my journey with them.
The best way that I can describe the difference between having an OBGN and a Midwife -- care. These midwives all showed kindness, they were all gentle, soft spoken, calm, and tender to me. My assigned midwife actually didn't end up delivering me, but my secondary midwife did, and many times my assigned midwife would tell me: "You will have the midwife that YOU need for your birth attend." Sure enough, the midwife that came was the one I needed. She was more direct then my midwife, and strict. At one point during my labour she told me to go upstairs and stop worrying about everyone... ie. the dogs, if Clara had eaten lunch, when she would go down for a nap... and told me to focus on my body, and listen to it.
I should probably point out that midwives are only able to accept patients who have low risk & singular pregnancies. So when it came down to prenatal appointments, they were always relaxed, and easy going. They mainly asked how I was feeling, what I weighed (never once weighing me), they checked my blood pressure, measured my tummy, and let me listen to baby's heart for as long as I so pleased. It was an intimate appointment every-time... never rushed, never did I feel like just another patient. We would always just end up chatting...
These ladies are trained. Both my midwives at my delivery had previously been labour and delivery nurses for a number of years in hospitals prior to becoming midwives. They have seen it all, all sorts of deliveries, all kinds of stories, and they believe that birth shouldn't be feared... In North America, the doctors instil this fear where giving birth is something that NEEDS to be done in a hospital, because the chances of a woman being able to do it alone, without pain medication, without the proper monitoring, without the supplies of a hospital, it just cannot be done. YOU WILL DIE. THE BABY WILL NOT LIVE.
There is choice. You can choose to deliver in a hospital, you can choose to deliver in a birthing centre, and you can also choose to deliver at home. If you are low risk, and don't need to deliver at a hospital, I encourage you to explore your other options. Don't fear birth. Don't fear the STRENGTH that your body is capable of :)
A midwife can also deliver you at the hospital as well... Which studies have shown that when a midwife is present, the odds of medical intervention is greatly reduced.
The confidence of my midwives poured into me. They gave me that additional strength during my labour, and with that... I had this labour that I will forever remember as the most beautiful adventure, with no fear, or anxiety.
With love,
@simplelifewife
