A Second Birth
We had first met Grace in the summer of 2010 at our complex’s swimming pool when we had just found out we were expecting our first child. Not really knowing anything about birth I just knew what I had seen on television from watching a baby story (bad idea). At any rate I didn’t get to know her until after the birth of my son and she found me again talking a walk outside with my son and the dog when he was three weeks old. My son’s birth had been very traumatic he was a large baby and because of the position I was in while giving birth he got stuck in my pelvis a condition known as shoulder dystocia.
My labour also, stalled out at 9cms and I was augmented with pitocin. Needless to say the birth went downhill from there and resulted in an Epidural, sleepy baby, and other stressful issues. My son was 9lbs 12.5oz so he was considered large for gestation by the hospital and not knowing at the time that even one feeding of formula can sabotage breastfeeding we thought the nursing staff was giving us accurate information. His birth just left me angry, sad and nervous about labour. Grace helped me through a really difficult period with my son postpartum and I believe because of her support and others I was able to carry on with breastfeeding. Over the following years I got to know her better and had decided for our next baby that she would be our doula.
So, when the time came that we got pregnant with our daughter. Grace was the first to know and she gave me lots of reassurance during the pregnancy. I had planned a homebirth but because of some complications with the placenta I ended up delivering at McMaster. She even came to some of my prenatal appointments at McMaster with me when my husband needed to stay back and watch my son.
As the weeks and months wore on I eventually came to the end of my pregnancy. I can remember the labour like it was yesterday (oh right it was six weeks ago). Grace’s calming presence really helped my fears surrounding the hospital and I believe it was her encouragement, peaceful demeanor, knowledge, and suggestions that allowed me to have my daughter with no medications. She even informed the nurses of why I was making certain decisions and I feel made the whole experience run smoother.
She also, would periodically deek out and inform my Mom on what was happening. In all hiring Grace was the best decision I ever made in regards to my daughter’s pregnancy her support throughout the pregnancy and the labour was invaluable. I will be hiring her again for my third and possibly fourth babies.