Hello Readers!
I just wanted to give some web love to the wonderful Midwives out there,
especially the Stratford Midwives who provided the BEST care throughout my pregnancy, labour, delivery and the six weeks after Oliver was born.
I am so thankful to my very good friend Jen (who gave birth to 2 of her 3 children at home assisted with a midwife), for being a wealth of knowledge and sharing such a great attitude and love for birthing with me. Without her I don't think I would have had the same experience or known about my birthing options. Before I was pregnant and especially after it was refreshing to hear her talk about her natural deliveries (in the comfort of her own home) and the amazing care the midwives gave her instead of all the negative comments and horror stories. Luckily my mom was also a source of inspiration, having 4 children naturally in the hospital (Midwives weren't a readily available option or cover by OHIP at that time or she probably would have had us at home too), she never terrorized me with how badly it hurt or how awful it was. It was a natural process, something my body was designed to do! But I don't even know how many times women would say to me " Take the drugs" "Don't be a hero" or look at me like I had 2 heads when I said I wanted a natural birth and a homebirth. Truth be told, the idea of having an epidural was more terrifying then having a baby, so as soon as I peed on the stick and seen the double lines...
I called the Midwives!
I knew I made the right decision the minute I stepped into their office.
The receptionist, Sandra greeted me with a huge smile, her sweet British accent put me at ease. And everytime I walked through the doors it was the same. The waiting room was filled with a "community" library which you were encouraged to borrow from, although I never had to wait long, they schedule their appointments with generous amounts of time as to not rush you in and out. The midwives are lovely, calming, caring and good-natured. The appointments were once a month, then twice a month until 36 weeks when they became once a week until baby! Each appointment alternated between my primary and secondary Midwife. My primary, Rebekah was with me throughout the active labour, delivery and afterwards. While my secondary Midwife was called to come just before Oliver was born, her role was to care for him and once he was checked, weighed and measured she was on to the next birth! Two midwives attend each birth so if for some reason the primary isn't able to make it, the secondary becomes the primary and another midwife attends as the secondary. During my visits I met each of them (there are 4 of them altogether) so that in the event Rebekah or Charlotte couldn't be there, I would still know who was delivering my baby! Which was a good thing because there was 3 births the night I went into labour, so my secondary Charlotte ended up being a primary at another birth and wasn't able to come. Beth filled in and was absolutely wonderful,
she was the secondary to all 3 births that night.
Over the course of 9 months they offered me knowledge, encouragment and an abundance of personal (ized) care. They treat you like a human being and not just another uterus with a baby in it . You play an active role in your own healthcare, choosing whether or not to have an ultrasound, genetic screening, gestional diabetes screening and testing. Of course they make recommendations based on your situation but most importantly it's a
discussion!
They inform you not make the decision for you.
It's the same with your birth plan... it's
your plan, you take the reigns.
With that being said- of course things can go wrong, not every pregnancy or birth is "normal" and the midwives are trained to know where that line is. There is definitely a need for OBGYN's. They perform lifesaving operations but that's what Cesareans are.... operations. And I feel that a lot of women have forgotten this and unfortunately a lot of women are "forced" into them with "emergency" C-sections as a result of interventions (another fear of mine). I was undecided for the longest time if I was going to give birth at the hospital or at home. But after a great discussion with Charlotte, where she explained what they bring to your home for the birth and once they do it is considered a Level One hospital (my local hospital is a Level Two) and what sorts of things would constitute a need for transfer, I knew homebirth was right for me.
Again it's your choice,
that's why I am asking you to please
support your local midwives in their rally for pay equity!
Because they are worth it!
Also please support midwifery care in Ontario (for Ontario Residents only) by sending your MPP a e-postcard asking the government to give women another option of
midwifery-led birth centres
Having the best sleep of my life in my ultra fresh sheets.....
You can read Oliver's birth story
here
