Someday I'm going to spend the time retyping Cam's birth story--one thing I lost in the divorce was access to my previous blog and any content on there. I am probably most disappointed that I lost the 3 part birth story…I'm sure I could remember most of it, but the details are most certainly foggier than they were in Feb 2013 when I wrote it all down!
Anyway, I loved using midwives during my pregnancy. We had such a rapport with them that when I did end up having to go to the hospital to be induced with Cam (low fluid from being 10 days past her due date), I felt thrown for a loop but was also at ease. Dana helped the first day, and River came the second…the long one and the one where I got to meet that sweet girl for the first time! All that day I kept thinking that I didn't know how people gave birth just with nurses they had never met before. I know that is typical. Everyone does it. But for myself, being at ease and comfortable and knowing that River knew me well helped me cope when nothing went "as planned." I say that in quotes because anyone who has ever had a baby knows that birth plans can go out the window and often do. Sometimes I still regret not insisting I could hold her for a split second before they wheeled her away to the NICU, but I've sure held her for hundreds of hours since. I had to ask to touch her little foot and hand as they were just going to show her to me and take her away. After 23 hours of Pitcon-induced natural (as in, no epidural but plenty of back labor) labor, that was not going to work for me! Still, not getting to hold Cameron for 3 hours was the longest 3 hours of my life. But somehow knowing that River was in the NICU with her helped. Her daddy was there too. The entire experience is back in the forefront of my mind because of the seemingly identical birth story my friend just experienced with their precious little girl just 2 1/2 weeks ago.
Postpartum care was amazing with the midwives. They came to the house 3 times (one of which was just so Dana could meet Cam), so that I did not have to leave with a newborn in February. Our first appt at the birthing center wasn't until she was 2 weeks old. They checked in with me about every little detail of how we were doing and were extremely encouraging and helpful with nursing questions. Honestly, that time would have been a lot more stressful for me without their incredible support.
I am really thankful for Cameron's health. Having her in the NICU for a day and a half was tough, but so worth it now that she is super healthy. All that to say, I loved watching the show Call The Midwife. I'm a sucker for period pieces anyway, but throw in some natural childbirth and I'm so in! (That sounds weird, but I feel passionate about these things. :)). It makes me happy to see many making the choice to go that route if it suits their family. Many feel more comfortable with the mainstream choices which is what may be what is best for them. You have to feel at peace and comfortable with your decision at the end of the day or that sets a difficult tone for bringing your baby into the world. If there is ever another baby in my future, I hope that I can do things the way that I dreamed the first time around, but if not…that's ok too. The reward is life-changing either way.