Motherwise News & Events
Motherwise Birth Center
The Bend, Oregon midwives at Motherwise Community Birth Center offer complete prenatal care, birth center or home birth, water birth, postpartum care, childbirth and prenatal yoga classes. Whole family care with our Family Nurse Practitioner.
____________________________
Please call or contact us for your free consultation and tour.
464 NE Norton Ave. Bend, Oregon 97701 (541) 318-6961
____________________________
We Welcome Allison LiaBraaten, FNP to Motherwise!!! Now Open.... Motherwise Clinic in Prineville, located at the Prineville Associates Medical Building. FIND OUT MORE IN OUR NEWSLETTER.
___________________________
more
Birth Stories
The Birth of Jessie Floyd
|
|
Most every pregnant woman wonders, imagines, and daydreams about the moment when she will finally come face to face with the baby that grows inside of her. Closely following that euphoric thought, are the questions, how intense is the pain going to be? Can I really do this?
Our first two children took their first breath inside a hospital room. There were no complications, no drugs, but there was lots of pain for mommy. We used an amazing midwife, who made the institutional experience seem as relaxed and natural as possible, within the guidelines and restrictions enforced by the hospital. When we found out we were expecting our third child, we decided that a hospital birth no longer suited our needs and decided to use
As some of you can identify with, after my second pregnancy, I felt like I knew what to expect when I was expecting… how wrong I was! This pregnancy was so different. Pains and discomforts I remembered in the third trimester with my first two children seemed to start almost immediately. Braxton and Hicks contractions were the norm. Unbelievable fatigue governed my daily activities. But, despite this all, with the support of my family and friends, the pregnancy was beautiful and relatively uneventful.
As the days drew closer to my sons birthday, I began having those familiar thoughts. Romantic daydreams one minute turned to doubts of whether I could endure the birth process again.
After two evenings filled with intense, timeable contractions, I had no baby to show for them. When I awoke that morning, with more contractions, I was utterly discouraged. I called my midwife and arranged to be seen. Upon examination, I was told I was dialated to three centimeters. After stripping my membranes, I was at 4 centimeters, and I had a choice. Nicole preferred that my husband and I go for a walk close by and see what the next hour held. After some negotiations, I opted to go home and walk around my neighborhood, about 15 minutes away. We decided to go through the drive through restaurant across the street first. With cars in front and behind us and the line at a seemingly eternal standstill, wham! The contractions began. I called my husband, traveling in a separate vehicle, and told him to head back to Motherwise.
Upon our arrival, it was obvious that this was no false alarm. Today, we would finally hold our son. After about an hour of swaying, breathing, and rocking through strong, steady contractions, I was at 8 centimeters and ready for the bath that had been prepared.
Immersed in warm, soothing water each contraction came quickly and intensely. But, to my surprise and comfort, the water did exactly what the midwives had told me it would do. The pain I had experienced in the birthing suite, faded into mere discomfort and heavy pressure. A large part of that pressure was due to the fact that my bag of waters had not ruptured. The three women who had managed my prenatal care, now sat tub side. They calmly helped me stay focused, absorbing, rather than fighting the increasing pressure. It was then that a few noticeable bubbles ruptured the waters surface. What a relief this brought; my water had finally broke.
Our first and second babies had arrived after twelve and six painful and exhausting hours. Only about two hours had passed. I could not believe it when Nicole told me I could push when I was ready. After a few pushes, the midwives masterfully unwrapped the cord from our newborns neck; then he was placed tenderly on my chest. The moments that followed were calm and happy. There was no flurry of activity, as nurses and doctors intrusively poked and prodded our baby as we helplessly watched from across the room. No, instead, we spent our first moments together just as I wish it could be for all parents. In that moment, there was just the three of us, skin to skin, gazing admiringly at each other in no hurry. In time I handed our child to his father, who cradled our son in his loving arms as I was helped to the waiting suite.
Just minutes after his birth, I felt his small lips suckle my breast for the first time. Tears flooded my eyes. For during my pregnancy, when I had wondered, imagined, and daydreamed about this day, it occurred to me that the reality had far exceeded my expectations
Within four short hours we were home, in front of a crackling fire, sipping a glass of wine. The days post partum were relaxing and painless, as with family and friends, and the support of our amazing midwives, we bonded with our son. . Leaning on my husband for strength and support and surrounded by my inspiring family, we had been a party to and witnesses of just how beautiful the natural miracle of birth can be.
The Birth of Kane
Not once did I consider using any pain medications during my labor. I was set on delivering our baby naturally, and kept in mind that millions of women have had their babies naturally - that's how it's supposed to be, right? The more I read and learned about our amazing bodies, the more sure of myself I became. Our bodies actually release a series of hormones during labor and birth, ranging from adrenaline to oxytocin. When we numb ourselves with medications, it interferes with the release of those hormones. I had complete faith that I could accomplish what my body is built for. My only concern was that I am just under 5'4" and my husband is a foot taller, and was born at 11 pounds (naturally). I couldn't imagine delivering a baby that size, so I was set on delivering our son early.
I had skepticism from close friends and strangers, with one friend actually telling me that I would positively go past my due date by a week or two, and she would be VERY surprised if I was able to make it without pain relievers or an epidural (I laughed, because it wasn't an option in my mind). There was only one young mom who told me not to listen to the others, that she delivered both her kids a week early... With that one positive comment, I continued to tell myself that my body knows what to do and I have to trust that.
When my husband and I found Motherwise, we felt completely confident that we would have the care and knowledge that we needed to have a good healthy pregnancy. The midwives went above and beyond what you would expect - never looking at the clock during my appointments and offering emotional support as if they were my closest friends. In addition to all of that, they helped me with my nutrition to make sure my baby was getting what he needed, and helping me feel like I was in control without going overboard "eating for two".
My due date was October 24. On October 13 we went to the bakery and I got a huge cinnamon roll, and my husband and I walked the River Trail. I was having minor contractions, but by the time we were done with the trail they were very minimal. By Monday night, my contractions were intense and I called Nicole. She said to meet Christyn at Motherwise and she would check everything. She said I was about 2 cm dilated and about 20% effaced. She told us to go back home, eat a nice big dinner and relax. I walked around the house and took a shower, and before I knew it, I was ready to call Nicole again. It was about 5:15 am on Tuesday (I had walked around the house the whole night!!). We went to the birth center and brought the CD we had made for labor. We had our own private room and bathroom where we listened to music, and walked around. I found the most relief when I was moving. By 8:30 am Christyn asked if I wanted to get into the tub, and I said yes. By then I was about 8 cm dilated and 90% effaced. I had asked an acquaintance of mine who had several kids naturally what her secret was. She explained that during her contractions, she would look and anything she could - even a speck on the floor and focus on it through her contraction. I tried to keep that in mind. I also focused on keeping my eyebrows and mouth relaxed, which helped the rest of my body relax. Another piece of advice a friend gave me was to keep in mind that contractions are not painful. They are intense. And I did, which really helped.
Within a minute of getting into the warm tub, my water broke. The midwives continued to monitor my contractions and our baby's heart rate. I laid back and relaxed, with my husband sitting behind me and holding my hands. Within minutes my contractions became more and more intense. Before I knew it, I felt like my body was ready to deliver the baby and I asked if I could push. Dana checked, and I was fully dilated. I pushed once, and felt "the ring of fire". Yes it is real. The second push, our baby was delivered. The intense contractions and "ring of fire" were gone and I just wanted to sleep. My husband cut the umbilical cord. We went back into our suite, measured and weighed our baby and agreed on his name - Kane. He weighed 7lbs, 2oz and was born October 15 - a week and a half before his due date... Before I knew it we were all in bed, with breakfast being brought to us and a sense of accomplishment and happiness in the air.
Mindy
The Birth of River Blue 
After having our first son at a hospital with an OBGYN, we decided we wanted something different. And when I say different, I mean we wanted to feel safe and in control of our birth. I wanted options.
I had done my research on statistics and decided to interview midwives. Nicole, Chrystin, and Dana made me feel like I was important. The birthing suite and tub are a dream and I have never felt so welcomed.
The prenatal/postnatal care was out of this world and beyond my expectations. I was taught how to feel my baby’s position and the prenatal care was designed around my specific pregnancy with focus on my diet, exercise and me. I was able to outline a birthing plan around what I wanted and what was best for me and baby.
Nicole and her team educated me with the different tests, risks associated with them and what they were testing for.
After two instances of prodomal labor, 12 hours of actual labor, very snowy conditions, River Blue was born healthy and HUGE! I was able to labor in a tub and then give birth surrounded by qualified women who made me feel supported and safe through the whole process. I cut River's cord, that was so special to me!
Throughout the whole entire pregnancy and birth, they never left my side and were available 24-7 for my annoying “I think I am in labor” calls ;) I am so thrilled and overjoyed about my experience with Motherwise that I can’t help but spread the word to all my pregnant friends!
Jasmine
