a nice way for a family to be born

Birth Stories from The Birth Center Sacramento

Read birth stories told by moms who have given birth at The Birth Center, Sacramento. Share in their joy and learn what a birth center birth may be like.

Lauren's Birth Story

 

DECEMBER 16, 2003

The Birth of Lauren

As told in 2003 by Lauren’s mom and The Birth Center client, Sarah

Prologue:

Anniversaries give us moments to pause and remember. This birth story re-emerged in 2020 during the year of The Birth Center's 20th Anniversary. it was such a lovely memory, just three years into The Birth Center serving women of the Sacramento area, that it seems worth sharing even now, 17 years later.

Lauren’s birth story:

I had heard about The Birth Center (TBC) from an article in the Neighborhood section of The Sac Bee. Later when I was trying to get pregnant (my second pregnancy), I called and came for a tour. I did not enjoy the hospital experience when I have birth the first time. I knew I wanted something different – more relaxed.

My labor began as I woke up on the December 16, 2003. I was feeling a little crampy – and it progressed from there.

We decided it was time to get to TBC when the pain was getting pretty bad. I was having a hard time focusing on my breathing – and I really wanted to get to the Birth Center and into the birthing tub!

My birth/labor was amazing! It was a fast labor/delivery compared to my first in hospital, which lasted 14 hours. We arrived at TBC about 1 pm. I was dilated to 5. I used the birth ball at first, focusing on my breathing. I went into the tub about 2 PM, and pushed Lauren out around 2:30 pm.

At the end Lauren’s heart rate was dropping and the cord was around her neck, but Ruth handled everything in such a calm manner. I was never worried for a second. After delivering Lauren my placenta would not come out so I did have to get a shot of Pitocin and then it did come out fine. Before I knew it Jack was cuddling the baby while I was sewn up (in such a way that I was in no discomfort the next day).

Later we had dinner while still recovering at TBC. I breastfed Lauren and then we went home. Had her at 2:30 pm, home by 6 pm to my own bed! Perfect! The Birth center’s nurse came to check on me 2 days later. I could not have imagined anything more perfect. Why deliver a baby in a hospital and be up all night poked and prodded…….you aren’t sick!

Would I have done anything differently? Absolutely not. I enjoyed having such a private feel in the birth – no family and friends there – only my husband, Ruth and Alethea. It’s what was best for us. I tell everyone how fantastic my experience was, giving birth without medication. What a great feeling it was!

For more information about our prenatal care and birth services at The Birth Center, visit https://www.sactobirth.com/prenatal and https://www.sactobirth.com/birth-services.