A True Birth Story

by Jenny M.

I had an amazingly easy as well as comfortable pregnancy. Heidi, Amy, and Mary Louise at Southwest Midwives in Durango, CO with the help of their great staff offered warm care and encouragement to my partner and I while we awaited our baby’s arrival.

True’s estimated due date was November 8^th, 2008. Well, the 8^th came and went with out even a hint of offering our son True. I felt fine and apparently True did too. Nice and cozy I can only imagine. But, who could blame the guy. I don’t like getting out of bed in the morning in November; I can’t comprehend leaving a womb!

My partner and I walked to a Mexican dinner under a hypnotizing full moon on November 12^th. Which was it that peaked True’s curiosity about the world beyond the womb? Was it the guacamole that he loves so much today, or the magnetic glow of the moon who’s viewing proved to be nothing more than a tease to his unborn eyes? I’m certain that it wasn’t the walk being as the cruiser ride I’d taken that afternoon didn’t tempt him. Anyhow, I began having contractions around 7 that evening.

Around Midnight the activity was enough that I decided to get out of bed and start timing my contractions. They seemed to be 5-6 minutes apart, so I made the call. I reached a soft and sleepy Amy. She instructed my partner and I to make our way to The Family Birthing Center about an hour from then. I followed the phone call by a shower to distract me from the clock.

I awoke my partner about 1 o’clock with the classic “it’s time” statement. His bag was packed and by the door; I honestly, hadn’t been as organized. We made our way to the hospital with my hand clung to the “oh sh*t” handle in the car, squeezing with a tight hold with each contraction as if it might reach the birthing center with out me.

We arrived. The nurse checked me. I was a 1. 1 whole cm dilated.

Upon Amy’s approval, the nurse allowed us to stay. Amy believed me to be in labor to the nurse’s trying to be subtle surprise. I was relieved about being there and snuggly checked in. I could not imagine going home. My contractions felt substantial enough to me that had we gone home we would surely just turn right back around!

Heidi came in to check me at the start of her shift to find me at 2 cms dilated. Needless to say; things were off  to a slow start. She returned during her lunch to find a 4. So, this was the beginning? Only then was I in active labor? I thought I’d been hard at it for 12 hours!

I labored. Then labored. I labored some more…

…Heidi and nurses alternated appearances throughout the day. A warm bath may have initiated a 7 at 8pm, but I had 3 cms to go. Heidi stayed at the hospital. She gave a phenomenal foot rub, and every time that I discounted my pain by calling myself “a weeny” she’d so confidently grin and say, “it’s hard”. I wondered how she could stay so calm and encouraging when I felt as though I had had my fair share of her time; whining at that!

I had had a couple doses of medication to take the edge off of the contractions throughout the evening, but I found it time for the real deal. I asked Heidi if she could call the anesthesiologist. It was nearing 24 hours since I’d made the call to Amy. I wanted help, and once I gave into the idea of help I felt it couldn’t come soon enough!

The anesthesiologist was incredible! He was fast and his confidence bordered arrogance because he was so good. Once the epidural was in place it provided pretty close to instant release. My body seemed to soften, and I was able to relax. Contrary to what I’d heard, I was still able to feel. The intensity went from fire to warm. Heidi then broke my water which seemed to speed up my dilation process. The next 3 hours were a snap compared to the previous 24. Heidi gave me the go to push, and after an hour of that, True was born. Healthy & beautiful. A blessing that seemed to good to be true. But, it wasn’t. It was all True.