Astrid's Birth Story
APRIL 2, 2022
The Birth of Astrid
by The Birth Center client, Nicole
I had my first baby, Leif, with Ruth at The Birth Center in 2014. She was so amazing, so when we found out we were pregnant with our “little surprise” eight years later, I definitely wanted to receive my prenatal care with Ruth and have my birth at The Birth Center again.
With my son, giving birth at a birth center versus a hospital just felt right to me. Without a question, I wanted to have a natural experience and to give myself a shot to see if I could do it. Having my baby at a birth center was always part of my birth plan.
My son’s birth was fast! My water broke at 7 a.m., a week before my due date. Pretty soon, my contractions were two minutes apart. We arrived to The Birth Center at noon, and my son was born at 1 p.m. His birth was an amazing experience — such a speedy yet smooth birth without any complications or tearing.
I had a very different birth experience this time around with my daughter, though. Astrid took her time and very slowly entered the world. It was like Leif's birth was a surprise party, unexpected and really quick, while Astrid’s was more like the last few days before school gets out for summer: You have all the feelings that it's right around the corner, but you aren't quite there yet. With that, though, my labor with her magnified all the excitement and anticipation.
I was really blessed to have a joyful, beautiful, and complication-free pregnancy with both Astrid and Leif, aside from varicose veins during my pregnancy with Astrid. As a hairstylist, being on my feet all day put a lot of pressure on my veins, both in my legs and crotch. Compression socks and a super-sexy girdle with crotch straps helped, but I dealt with swollen legs and feet as my pregnancy progressed. Elevation and ice were my friends. All that aside, I stayed very active and in great mental health even through to the end.
The Beginning of Labor
My due date was April 1, and on March 31, after going for a walk, I felt a little leak, like a tiny bit of my water broke. I had this same sensation the day before my son’s labor began too, so I knew it was going to be soon.
As I woke up on my due date, April 1, my slow and steady progression of labor allowed me to get through my day as normal. With very mild contractions, spaced out over time, I got to experience the steady build-up that she was coming, giving me the time to prepare both physically and mentally, unlike my first labor with my son.
It wasn't until I was making dinner around 7 p.m. that contractions really started to get stronger. My mom and I went for our usual after-dinner stroll around the neighborhood, and I had to stop to breathe through contractions. Returning home, I drew a nice warm bath to calm my body and soothe some of the intensity.
Around 10 p.m., my husband and I laid our sons, Leif and my 14-year-old stepson, down to sleep and kissed them good night, letting them know that tomorrow morning they would wake to a new baby sister.
Afterwards we retired to our bedroom so he could get some sleep. I needed him well rested if he was driving me to The Birth Center. For me, I wanted to focus on laboring as much as I could in the comfort of our home. That was important to me. I focused on embracing that moment, looking forward to meeting our daughter, centering on the excitement I needed to work through the pain.
I loved being at home for as long as possible during my labor, but Ruth was only a phone call or text away. I interacted with her throughout the day and knew I could always check in. Around midnight, I called Ruth to update her, and then at 1:15 a.m. we decided to drive to The Birth Center.
The 30-minute drive was actually one of my favorite memories of my labor. My husband and I chose the band “The Big Push,” and we turned the music up loud and sang our hearts out. Even though the contractions were strong, I felt like I was able to lose myself in the music and rise above the intensity of the moment. My husband and I love music, and I had so much fun on that drive. I felt so close to him.
Arriving at The Birth Center
By the time we got to The Birth Center, my contractions were really close together. I was 6 centimeters dilated, but my water had not broken yet. While we waited for the birth tub to fill, I labored on the birth ball. I was exhausted at this point, being awake all day and my daughter choosing the very end of it to begin her journey into the world. I was trying not to fall asleep while I was on the birth ball, which Ruth provided, as I thought to myself, "I should have taken a nap earlier when I could."
When the tub was ready, maybe 30-40 minutes later, I submerged myself, letting the warm water take over holding up my body. I rested my head at the back of the tub, closing my eyes as I just floated. It felt so good to have my body supported, and I was able to regain my energy as I dozed between contractions. My husband was unprepared to enter the tub with me, so he sat nearby to show his attentiveness and support. My water broke in the pool, but I actually didn’t realize it.
Ruth was also nearby, but she didn’t hover over me. I loved feeling like she was present, but I was in control. She knew when I was getting close to pushing, though, by the sound of my voice, and she offered support and encouragement. As the time to push got closer, I chose to move over to the bed, so that my husband could be more hands on, igniting a blissful memory of him right by my side during my last birth.
I remember being so excited and very attentive to Ruth as she coached me during pushing. I was very vocal, and she guided me to focus my voice on the pushing itself and add that energy to my contractions.
I pushed for about 30 minutes, and at 4:40 a.m. on April 2, my daughter, Astrid, was born. Ruth assisted a smooth exit, or catch, as she did with our son, once again preventing any tearing. My recovery with Astrid has been amazing, like nothing even happened. I only experienced a bit of soreness.
Astrid was so strong when she was born! She crawled up my body and held her head up! She wanted to be close to her mama, right by my face. She latched right away and nursed on both sides.
We stayed at The Birth Center for about three hours for aftercare and then drove home and had breakfast. My husband was on a high and, even with no sleep, still managed to make it to Leif's baseball game at 9 a.m. I loved being at home with my baby and being able to sleep in my own bed.
Reflecting on my Birth Experiences
My postpartum appointments with Ruth were great. I have felt physically and mentally well and have been taking my placenta pills. Ruth outsources the placenta encapsulation, and the pills were sent directly to my house. Astrid recovered with the same resilience, growing an inch and a pound by our 10-day visit.
I felt so comfortable having all my babies with Ruth at The Birth Center, especially since I am an older mom at 39. I love how passionate and smart she is about everything she does and how up-front and honest she is. She made me feel really comfortable. The Birth Center felt like home. I feel grateful for the rapport and relationship I've built with her during both my labors. I respect her for her talent and knowledge and appreciate her for her beautiful nature. Kind of makes me want another baby. But probably not!
My second birth was very different from my first: Fast and furious versus slow and steady. Although Astrid’s birth was very tiring because of how long it was, I was present. I wanted to experience every moment of it. I’m really proud of myself. This whole experience of carrying and birthing a child is such an extraordinary and unforgettable part of my life, and Ruth was a big part of that.
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
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