Jax Dean's Birth Story

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

The Birth of Jax Dean
by The Birth Center client, Laura

Fifteen years ago, I had my first baby in a hospital. In early 2021, when I learned I was pregnant with my second baby, I started seeing an OB. We live in Yuba City, so I had planned to deliver at a hospital in Marysville only 5-10 minutes away from our house. However, there were still many COVID restrictions, and it was nerve-wracking to think about what would happen if my husband or I tested positive at the time of the baby’s birth. The protocols seemed extreme, and I didn’t like it.

During my second trimester, I learned that my pastor’s wife had been going to a birth center. She told me about her experience and encouraged me to check whether my insurance would cover birth center care. When I did an online search, The Birth Center came up, and I was happy to learn it would be covered by insurance. I told my husband, Donny, and contacted Ruth to schedule a tour.

Ruth was really nice and upfront as I told her how I was feeling about the hospital COVID restrictions. My husband and I loved The Birth Center right away. It felt perfect and seemed cozy. We said, “We love this. We want to do this.” Ruth encouraged us to sleep on it and talk about it before making a decision. We followed her advice, but I still called her the next day to let her know that I wanted to start seeing her for my prenatal care. I definitely wanted to have my baby there.

I was 29 weeks when I officially switched my care and started seeing Ruth. She saw me every two weeks, and I loved our appointments. Ruth was willing to talk to me, unlike the doctor I had been seeing. He always seemed like he wanted to leave, so I felt like I couldn’t talk to him. Ruth noticed that the baby wasn’t head down, and she told me about Spinning Babies because she wanted to make sure the baby was head down within the next few weeks. I used the information on the Spinning Babies website, and sure enough, he turned.

As I was getting closer to 40 weeks, Ruth told me I had a lot of amniotic fluid. She checked me at 39 weeks and said the baby’s head was not in the cervix because all of the fluid was causing the baby to float up. My due date of November 7 passed, and Ruth reminded me that I had until 42 weeks, so I could continue to wait. If I got to 42 weeks, though, I would need to schedule a hospital induction.

I was determined to have the baby at The Birth Center. At 40 weeks, I used some homeopathic remedies and continued to follow Ruth’s suggestions. The plan was to see Ruth on November 18; I also had an ultrasound scheduled for that day to make sure there was still plenty of fluid for the baby. If there wasn’t, I would need to be induced right away. Otherwise, I could keep waiting and schedule an induction for before Thanksgiving. I was getting nervous because I did not want to have the baby at the hospital.

The Beginning of Labor

On Sunday, November 14, I went to church, where I asked others to pray that I’d go into labor before Thursday, the 18th. On the morning of Tuesday, November 16, I woke up at about 6:30 and had a really bad cramp. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions, so I wanted this to be a real contraction. I went to the bathroom, and there was a little bit of blood. I thought, “Thank God,” and I told my husband, “I’m pretty sure I’m in labor.”

I was having contractions every 10 minutes, so I suggested my husband go to work because nothing would be happening soon. I went about my day and did school work with my son. When I told my mom I was in early labor, she went into panic mode because it’s about a 50-minute drive to Sacramento. However, I had instructions from Ruth, and I knew it wasn’t time to call her yet.

My husband got home at about 3 p.m., and my contractions were about six minutes apart. I was still walking and talking. Although things did not feel intense yet, I wanted to be closer to Sacramento. We went to the Galleria in Roseville, which is only about 15 minutes from The Birth Center. I hadn’t contacted Ruth yet because my contractions were still six minutes apart, but they did feel worse. I finally texted her at 6 p.m. that evening and told her I was in early labor and that we were in Sacramento. She immediately asked me to call her because she wanted to hear how I was handling the contractions.

When I talked to Ruth, she said to see how it goes for the next 30 minutes. By around 7 p.m., my contractions were coming about every three minutes. I called Ruth back, and she said to meet her at The Birth Center at 7:45. She told me she didn’t want to break my water, but, because I had so much amniotic fluid, she thought it was possible that she might have to.

At The Birth Center, Ruth checked my cervix, which was 4 centimeters dilated. We decided to get a hotel room, so we could try to get some sleep. Since I had been walking around, Ruth said resting would help my body produce oxytocin. She added that we should keep timing contractions.

Around 8 p.m., we got a hotel room about two minutes away. I took a bath, which was relaxing, and we watched some TV — a Lifetime Christmas movie! My husband wanted me to sleep, but I couldn’t fall asleep. I was able to rest, though. At approximately 12:30 a.m., my contractions were still every three minutes apart, but hurting pretty badly. I called Ruth at 1 a.m., and she said to meet her at The Birth Center at 1:20.

Settling in at The Birth Center

After we got there, Ruth checked me. I was just 5 centimeters. Still, we were able to go to one of the birthing rooms. I wanted to get in the tub, but Ruth recommended the birthing ball while she got the birthing pool ready. She suggested I sit on it with my legs open while rotating my hips. I did that for about an hour, and the doulas, Amy and Kelly, arrived. They gave me helpful tips, like, “Slow your breathing.”

For the next couple of hours, I went from the tub to the birthing ball while Amy and Kelly helped me. Ruth would come in and check on me periodically. During the next cervical check, I was only six centimeters, so Ruth suggested breaking my water. I agreed, and right after she did, I was seven centimeters. That was at 3:30 a.m.

I asked Ruth if I could get back in the tub, and I continued going from the tub to the ball. Amy, Kelly, and Donny took turns bringing me cool cloths, which really helped me. Donny was quiet, but that’s what I wanted. The doulas were so helpful. They never told me what to do; instead, they asked me things like, “Do you think you could do squats or walk around?” They wanted me to do what made me most comfortable. There was always someone with me at The Birth Center. At the hospital, they constantly leave you. I was scared because I had an epidural before. I even said to Kelly, “Please don’t leave me.

Soon after Ruth broke my water, I looked at Amy and Kelly said, “Am I getting close?” Kelly replied, “Yes, you’re getting closer.” At 4:10 a.m., it was time to push. At first, I had a hard time knowing when to push and when to stop. I was pushing too hard and then not stopping, causing stress to the baby and making his heart rate drop from 140 to 120. Ruth told me, “Don’t push unless you’re having a contraction.” The doulas suggested I breathe like I was blowing out candles, and that was such a good tip. The baby’s heart rate went right back up.

Next, I wanted to try the birthing stool, and Donny sat behind me. Ruth was really good about making sure I would stop and breathe while Donny massaged me. I moved to the bed and pushed on one side, then the other. I also tried laying on my back. I just wanted him out. I didn’t want him stressed.

Meeting My Baby

I pushed for only about 30 minutes, but it felt like forever. Right before the baby was born, I announced, “I’m having a contraction.” Ruth had been feeling my belly just to make sure. I pushed with everything in me, and the baby came out! Jax Dean was born at 4:59 a.m. November 17, 2021, weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and measuring 21 inches long. His head was 15 inches

At that moment, I felt such relief. He started crying really loudly, and we were so proud. Ruth put the baby on my chest, and my husband could see him from his point of view. He told me the baby looked perfect. Since the cord was short, I could see only the top of the baby’s head.

After about 20 minutes, I delivered the placenta, and it just came right out. I got to see my baby, and I thought he looked so good. We did skin-to-skin contact, and I breastfed him. He latched right on. Ruth made sure he was nursing well. The best part, though, was that she never took the baby, even while I was getting stitches.

My recovery went so well — very different from when I had my first baby. With him, I was sore for a year after his birth and had a lot of swelling. With my baby born at The Birth Center, Ruth used oils and massaged my perineum, which really helped lessen the soreness.

Reflecting on My Birth Experience

During my postpartum appointments, Ruth checked me and the baby. He’s doing really well with breastfeeding and gaining weight. Ruth is so caring and thoughtful. She told me she was so happy when she got my text that I was in labor because she was worried I wouldn’t go into labor on my own. She really cares about her clients.

I never would’ve thought I could have an unmedicated birth. If it weren’t for the hospital restrictions, I wouldn’t have looked into it. But it was a better experience than the hospital and so much better for the baby. I got to nurse him right away, and there was lots of time for bonding. It was like having him in a house; we were basically in a bedroom, which was less chaotic. Overall, I’m really happy with my experience at The Birth Center.