Ava's Birth Story - Natural birth inspite of complications

Are you looking for natural child birth?  That’s what we wanted.  My husband Reggie and I wanted to have a baby!  And we wanted everything to be as natural as possible, or so we planned.  Every prenatal visit was marked by good notes and positive feedback about the progression of this growing individual inside of me.  What a miracle God has blessed us with!  The due date grew nearer and nearer.  We were ready to meet our little one, to touch his or her face, to kiss her lips, and to play with her fingers and toes as she gazed at us and grew to know us as mom and dad.

On January 7th, 2009 I arrived for another “normal” prenatal visit at Metro Partners in Women’s Health.  I really looked forward to these visits now as the February 6 due date became closer and closer.  The past month had gotten harder for me, I began swelling in my ankles and feet, and my hands became numb and tingly.  I began retaining lots of fluid and I was getting quite uncomfortable.  This visit ended differently than the others.  My midwife, Mary Gadbaw Davis showed concern as she ran extra tests and sent me home that day.  The call came just after noon on that Wednesday.  I was beginning to show signs of toxemia and I was to check myself into the hospital that evening.  What?  How could this be happening?  We wanted a natural childbirth!

Later that evening I was induced.  My water broke at 7 am and “natural childbirth” began.  After the induction medicine I received nothing further.  My contractions started immediately and increased in intensity and frequency with each passing hour.  I began to have back pains as I was going through the contractions on my back.  Mary encouraged me to move into whatever position I felt comfortable.  So, I proceeded to my knees as I squatted on my legs with my arms gripping the head of the elevated bed in the labor and delivery room.  (We were planning a birth in the Alternative Birthing Center of Providence Park in Southfield, Michigan.  Because of the induction, they brought the ABC to us in the Labor and Delivery Room.)

Ava Jane was born at 11:45 am on January 8, 2009.  She was perfect!  My labor pains lasted 4 hours before I began pushing.  I pushed on my knees for 45 minutes.

When asked later what motivated me to go through the pain and progress with natural childbirth, I answered “I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”  If you are considering natural childbirth and are afraid or influenced otherwise, please reconsider.  I couldn’t have done it without my amazing husband, my outstanding nurse, Dee, and Mary, my midwife.

There is nothing like the amazing blessing of a child.  But, when you have the support of amazing people, there is no other way than as natural as possible.  I cannot imagine giving up the feeling of the entire experience for temporary pain relief.  And if you are anything like me, I would strongly recommend seeking out Mary Gadbaw Davis at Metro Partners in Women’s Health in Novi, Michigan.  You will be blessed and eternally grateful that you did!  I wish you the best and I hope your baby will be as healthy and perfect as our little Ava.