The joy and anticipation of our second pregnancy quickly turned into frustration when we found out we were unable to return to the midwives who delivered our first child. That was all we had known and were comfortable with and now it seemed like we wouldn't have that same birth experience again. So, with a day of phone calls and a recommendation from a very respected person we found our way 40 minutes down the turnpike to Jeannette, Pa. at the Family Nurse Midwife Associates. At the very first visit we knew we made the right choice, in spite of being in a hospital setting and not a birth center. We had a calm uneventful pregnancy driving to Jeannette despite the barrage of "Why are you driving all the way there to have your baby?" by people who just did not understand.

Two and a half weeks before our due date, January 01, 2001, I started contracting, then stopped, not once or twice, but on a daily basis. Gretchen would patiently remind me at each visit and pestering phone calls that I made, that this was something that sometimes happens with consecutive pregnancies. January 01 came and went and despite daily irregular contractions my cervix seemed unchanging. I was grumpy, tired, frustrated and driving my loved ones crazy (though they politely never said so.). On January 03, 2001 after another unprogressive cervix check, Gretchen introduced the possibility of Cervid. I was ready to jump at the chance right there and then, but my level headed hubby talked me into giving my body five more days to give my body a chance, knowing that was what I really wanted. On the long drive home, I was glad my hubby had recognized my hormones talking and that I had five more days to let nature take its course. The five days came and went, and as we drove to the hospital I felt like I was cheating the natural process, but at the same time I was at the end of my rope. I wanted my baby in my arms, not my belly. When in the hospital room waiting for Gretchen, I started having mild contractions 10 minutes apart. Gretchen came in and checked me, reporting things were still pretty much the same. I voiced my frustration on cheating my body, but Gretchen reassured me that IF I went into labor it would be on my own. The Cervidil would just push me over the hump I was on. The Cervidil was inserted at 8:30 PM. At 2:30 AM, I started having contractions 5 minutes apart. By 3:30 AM they were 3 minutes apart and then at 4AM, one minute apart. After 4AM, the rest seemed to speed by as I worked my way through my contractions. All I remember is Gretchen breaking my water and 20 minutes later, our 8lbs, 9ozs. daughter, Jade Alexis, was born. The labor and delivery was amazing and bearable compared to my 30 hour labor with our first daughter. I am so glad we made the choice of the Family Nurse Midwife Associates and look forward to returning someday.

Written by Brandi Stec, Gibsonia, Pa