The Birth of Bryce Miller

When I first found out I was pregnant, my husband and I were pretty excited. This would be our first child and also first grandchild and great grandchild on both sides of the family. We made a lot of people very happy with our news. I started reading everything I could on prenatal care and childbirth. I just assumed the group of gynecologists I had been seeing for my yearly exams would be just fine. A friend told me she had read Dr. Bradley's book on natural childbirth and it has really helped her during labor. I started reading the book and everything made sense to me. I found a Bradley instructor online and even though the class would be an hour and a half drive once a week for about 8 weeks, we made the commitment. We very much enjoyed the class and felt prepared for the birth. When I told my gynecologist about wanting to have a natural childbirth without any drugs, she basically rolled her eyes and said a lot women say that and end up getting an epidural. I did not like her attitude, but thought that I would show her!!. A few months later, Errin and I took our birth plan in to discuss it with her. She pretty much disagreed with the whole thing and told us to rewrite it. After we left her office, I was very upset and thought my idea of our baby's birth would be shattered by this insensitive doctor. Erin was also upset and set out to find another way. His cousin had mentioned she was having midwives deliver their baby. Errin got on the Internet and searched for midwives in the area. He found the website for Family Nurse Midwives and called Sue. She was able to get us an appointment with Gretchen that afternoon!!! We had to move quick because I was 6 weeks away from my due date!! When we met with Gretchen, I immediately felt comfortable and knew this was the right choice. That evening we ran into Errin's cousin at a restaurant. We told her we switched to the midwives and she was so happy because they had such a great experience with them. When we heard that we were certain this was the right choice!! My due date was December 10th. My grandmother had said the full moon was on the 8th, so everyone was wondering if I might go a few days early. Sure enough, my labor started at 1 AM on December 9th. My contractions were 7 minutes apart from the start and were pretty intense I tried lying down to do the relaxation techniques we learned in class, but there was no way I could lay or sit. Walking and pelvic rocks were the only thing I could stand. Errin could not believe the contractions were this close. At about 5 AM, Errin paged the midwives and told Gretchen my contractions were about 5 minutes apart. She said she would meet us at the hospital in half an hour. Errin started packing the car with our bags, meanwhile I was getting very impatient!! The car ride was absolutely horrible. It took us 30 minutes to get to the hospital and sitting was unbearable. We got to the hospital around 6 AM. After we got checked in, Gretchen checked me. I was 7 centimeters!! I was so glad because if I had only been 2 centimeters, I would have been devastated. The nurse needed me to get on the monitor for a few minutes and I had to have antibiotics since I had tested positive for Group B Strep. Sitting in the bed was awful. After about 15 minutes, I was able to get up. I got in the shower and that seemed to help a little. My back was killing me so Errin tried to rub it with a tennis ball. That felt even worse. Leaning on Errin and getting in the shower were the two things that helped me the most. Gretchen was very helpful with suggesting positions. Finally I felt like pushing. I tried the squat bar, but by this time I was so exhausted my legs could not take squatting. I ended up on my back, which was the one position I did not think I would end up doing. Gretchen broke my water to hurry things along. It seemed as if I had a steady trickle throughout my labor, so I do not think there was much left.

The pushing was the hardest part. I think I pushed for two and a half hours. Bryce was born at 10:49AM. He weighed 7lbs 11ozs and was 21 inches long. He was just beautiful even with his little cone shaped head!!!

I felt so proud of myself for not having any medication during labor. Errin was a great coach. The nursing staff at Mercy Jeannette Hospital are wonderful!! Mary Ufnar, the lactation consultant, was very helpful and available to answer questions during the first few weeks of nursing. I am so thankful we took the Bradley classes and switched to the midwives at the last minute!!!

Sarah Miller, Blairsville

Women and Heart Disease Seminar

Mercy Jeannette Hospital will offer a seminar titled "Women and Heart Disease" on Thursday, February 19, 2004 at the SmartHealth Norwin Hills Outpatient Center, Norwin Hills Shopping Plaza in North Huntingdon. This seminar is free of charge and all are welcome.

Cecelia Eagan, RN, nurse manager, Electrodiagnostics, will present this one hour seminar focusing on the symptoms of heart disease, including, but not limited to, irregular heartbeat, rapid heart beat, and light headednesss.

For more information regarding this seminar, or to register, call MercyLink at 1-800-232-5660
Weight Loss Surgery available at Mercy Jeannette

If your weight is endangering your health and you have failed at standard weight loss programs, contact our specialist at the Bariatric Center of Excellence at Mercy Jeannette Hospital. The Mercy Jeannette Hospital specially trained surgeons offer qualifying patients the gastric-bypass procedure known for it long-term weight loss success. If you are one of the millions of American who are clinically overweight (100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight) you may qualify. The next step is up to you.

A free seminar will be scheduled during the month of April at SmartHealth in the Norwin Hills Shopping Plaza, North Huntingdon. The seminar will be presented by Lora Gifley, APRN, BC, CRNP. bariatric surgery nurse at the Bariatric Center of Excellence at Mercy Jeannette Hospital. For information on this seminar or to register, please call MercyLink at 1-800-232-5660.

Childbirth Crash Course Scheduled

Jan Mallak, of Hearts and Hands Doula Service, will be teaching her next series of classes on the following dates. This course is composed of two three hour evenings and provides information on a wide variety of birth philosophies with the emphasis on creating ones own birth vision. Due to limited class size, registration is required.
March 3rd and March 10th 6-9PM - May 5th and May 12th 6-9PM

YWCA New Moms Network

Not too many years ago, when women experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and the rearing of her children, she was far from being isolated. Living right in her own neighborhood was her grandmother, mother, sisters, aunts and cousins who would gladly help with all aspects of childbirth and childrearing. Her extended family was close-by and could teach her about caring for herself and her baby.

Today, all that has changed. With our mobile society, we find our extended families living across the country instead of across the street. Where can a young woman find the support she requires at this vulnerable stage of her life?

At the YWCA of Westmoreland County, we are offering the kind of support that new mothers need. Starting Thursdays this winter, from 10-11:30 AM, you can meet with other first time moms for a time of education and companionship. You will be shown a short topical video followed by discussion. The last half hour will be spent getting to know one another in an informal atmosphere. The sessions meet every Thursday for 12 weeks. The program fee is 25.00 and the YWCA membership is 17.00 for the year. The YWCA does not want any woman who needs this program to be left out, so if there is a financial need, scholarships are available. Those on maternity leave are welcome to join for the time that they are available.

For those interested in registering, calls can be made to the YWCA at 724-834-9390 and please ask to register for the "New Moms Group".

The Birth of Walter William

It started Monday night, the 19th, sometime after the evening news with a terrible backache. I had a similar backache a week earlier, and after a long painful night I called Gretchen who suggested that I get into the tub to relieve the pain. Well, that had worked wonders, so I did not waste any time getting into the tub this time.

After a while in the tub, the coolest thing happened!!! I saw and felt the baby turn completely around in my stomach!! He must of been facing the wrong way, because after that I was able to feel my contractions. The backache that had been so strong that I couldn't even tell I was having contractions before. They were three minutes apart and about 25 seconds long. In hindsight, I realize that I probably should have called and gone into the hospital at this point, but the contractions just did not seem that serious compared to the backache, I did not even wake up my husband. I relaxed in the tub for a while, then I decided to get up and finish packing my hospital bag. They were coming every three minutes on the nose, but I made it around the house just fine, stopping and swaying every time I had contractions. I knew I was going to have to leave for the hospital soon, but goofy me thought I had time to wash my hair first so I could look nice in all my photos with my new baby. Well, I got back into the tub, and as soon as I ducked my head under the water, my water broke!! My contractions got real serious real quick, and so did I. I threw my wet hair into a ponytail, marched into my bedroom, and announced to my husband (mind you, it was almost 2 in the morning), "My water broke and my contractions are 2 minutes apart. We need to go to the hospital right now!! The look on his face was priceless, and I have never seen anyone bolt out of bed faster.

It did take us a little while to get out of the house, with him packing the car and me trying to get dressed in one minute intervals between contractions, but we managed, arriving somewhere around 2:45. They wheeled me up through the Emergency and checked me. I was already 4 centimeters dilated and completely effaced. Gretchen arrived shortly thereafter, and between her, my husband Scott, and the two nurses, Sue and Debbie, I had great support. Everyone was wonderful. They held me, rubbed my back, and talked me through it. It is so strange, being completely lucid between contractions and having all logic escape you during one. The contractions eventually reached a point when I felt like I did not have enough time in between to collect myself. I told everyone that I have had enough and that I was going home and in my mind everything was going to be just fine if I could only make it to the door!! Of course, I could barely get off of the bed!!

Less than an hour after I was checked, Gretchen checked me again. I was so happy when she told me that I was 7 centimeters dilated and in transition!! We went into the shower and Gretchen aimed the water at my back. I think I only had two more contractions before I felt the urge to push. I pushed for about 25 minutes, and each time I was determined to get him out!!! He came out bright, pink and crying! The first thing I said when I saw him was "He is so beautiful!! They put him right up on my chest and he started nursing before Gretchen even had the placenta out. It was awesome!!

Walter William was born on January 20, 2004 at 4:36 AM. He weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 19 inches long. I could not have asked for a better birth experience. Everyone was fantastic, and they respected my wishes on not offering any pain medication. It was fast and furious, but worth every minute. And as far as looking great in all my pictures with my new son... Well, everyone says "Scott looks happy.... Jen looks tired!!"

Jennifer Simmers, Greensburg

"CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS" EVENING SCHEDULED

Family Nurse Midwife Associates will be hosting an informational presentation on Thursday, March 25th at 6 PM at Mercy's SmartHealth Center located in the Norwin Shopping Center in North Huntington. A presentation will be done on the philosophy of midwifery and tips will be provided on how to write a birth vision. Written informational packets will be distributed, a video will be shown and time will be available for questions. For more information or to register, call Sue at 724-527-9159 For those unable to attend, informational packets can be mailed upon request.
Additional Information about midwifery is available on our website at www.JDMH-midwives.com

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