Elsa is only 2 days old, but I have been dreaming of the chance to get to write my birth story. I enjoyed reading and getting inspired by reading other birth stories in the Family Nurse Midwives' newsletters. My first birth experience, in Denver, Colorado, was not a "dream birth" because it was filled with interventions, beginning with an epidural at 8 cm which left me with no feelings for the pushing stage. We were disappointed and knew the next time we would surround ourselves with a better support team who would want to help us achieve a natural childbirth. Even though the first birth experience was not ideal, I knew I couldn't wait to get pregnant again - to be a vessel of life for another gift from God.

We moved back to Pennsylvania in October to live closer to our families. I was so excited to find FNM. I met with Sandy to see if they were a good fit, and right away I knew that this was the place for us. Our prenatal care was phenomenal and so personal. I felt like I could ask any question and could talk about anything with Gretchen and Sandy. They really helped us get through some major transitions not only with pregnancy, but also with moving. They spent so much time with us and we never felt rushed. I loved checking out books in the office library. Our two year old, Grace, loved hearing the heartbeat and especially playing with all of the toys in the office.

Although we had a slightly challenging first trimester, we were blessed with a healthy pregnancy. Along the way, we took Jan's Mallak's Childbirth Crash Course which was amazing. We had taken 8 weeks of classes in Denver and we still learned so much just in the two weeks with Jan. She is the "Mac Daddy of Childbirth!" Jan set us up with a doula named Michelle who was another blessing to have at our birth. Our big day came so quickly and the days leading up to it were filled with anticipation, joy, and excitement.

On Wednesday, Sept 8th, I woke up feeling some pretty interesting things. I had been dilated to 3 cm and 80% effaced at my last appointment. We had another appointment that morning at 11:30 am. We decided to bring everything with us in case this was the real thing. I had been tricked a few times already into thinking it was the big day, but this time it was! Gretchen checked me and I was 5 cm and 100% effaced. We decided not to drive back to Ligonier and just waste some time around Jeanette to make sure it was really happening. We went to Target! Grace played with all the toys while I had consistent contractions at seven minutes apart. I crack up thinking that people probably didn't even realize what a special day it was for us. I always used to say the day of birth is so amazing ­ "Everyone else is just at work or home or shopping at Target while you are bringing life into the world." How ironic that we shopped at Target on such a special day!
My parents and our doula, Michelle, met us at the midwives' office. Grace went home to take a nap and wait to hear the news with Gram and Pappy. We walked around the hospital area a bit more and then things really got going. I was unable to walk through my contractions. We headed over to the hospital around 3:30pm and got settled in. It was so nice to have Michelle with me while Scott took care of all the bags and such. I labored leaning over the birth ball and leaning into Scott. Scott's smell was like aromatherapy, and I just kept breathing in that little nook of his neck. It didn't feel comfortable sitting on the ball but leaning over it was great. It was so important to know what I was going to do when the contraction came. Breathing through them was vital, and at the end of each one it was a major rush to have made it through. I also used a lot of vocalization and swaying which felt good when it really hurt. Michelle really encouraged me to keep moaning and that I shouldn't be embarrassed.that helped a lot! We used the shower for about 45 minutes but I got little overheated and came out. I actually laid down through some contractions which I didn't expect to do, but it was helpful to get my energy back. I was tired.
Gretchen checked me around 7:00 pm, and I was a bit discouraged to find I was only 6 cm. I was hoping to hear more. Everyone stayed positive and focused on my progression. The news meant I should get up and try something else. I was going to walk in the halls but just never made it. We did a few contractions with the ball again and decided to get back in the shower. We were listening to a Christian CD from our church in Denver and certain lyrics kept me going, such as, "You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my All in All." I knew God was with us during that labor. I kept praying a Hail Mary during each contraction, or I would think "God please let me give glory to Your plan for labor to show that You designed it so perfectly to allow us to bring forth a life from our bodies." It is such a miracle now to think about how prayer helped me through labor. Things picked up a lot when I went back in the shower and Michelle and Scott were really encouraging me. Now that I think about it, with each contraction they would massage my back or put pressure or just let me hold their hands. Michelle would remind me that I was going to get to see my baby soon. It was all so supportive. I knew they knew I could do it and that helped me stay on top of each contraction. Then, I wanted to get checked again because I felt some urges to push a little. It just felt good to push through a contraction. Gretchen gave us the best news ever when she said I was 9 cm! I knew I was going to make it! I thanked her a lot and we tried a new position for the next few contractions. It felt great to have an arm on the neck of both Scott and Michelle and my left foot on a stool. I would lean on the bed in between and stand up again when the contractions came.
After some time, Gretchen worked her magic by helping me through the hurdle of an anterior lip. During a contraction, she manipulated my cervix to open up the last centimeter. It worked! My water broke. It was warm, gushed on the bed, and it felt good. Gretchen was so calm and so great and so encouraging. I remember one time not hearing Gretchen and asking frantically, "Where's Gretchen?". I just needed to know that she was nearby! I was unsure since I had never felt the pushing stage, and Gretchen really helped me figure out exactly where to push by cheering for me really hard when I hit the right spot. I also remember my labor nurse, Sherry, coming right into my face and saying, "It's okay. Just push through the burn." Wow - helpful advice! Michelle helped to video the baby coming out since I wanted Scott near me. I also remember Scott just quivering, almost in tears, watching in amazement and saying, "Oh my goodness". He was really moved by the whole experience and I could feel his pride for me and the joy for the new life in his voice. Touching the head was another great piece of encouragement and I knew I was almost done. I will always remember the way it felt - so warm and soft. Michelle also reminded everyone that I wanted to use a mirror. The baby's head looked wrinkled and it was filled with cute fuzzy black hair.

Gretchen worked her magic again with the help of the nurses to "unstick the shoulders." She moved me into a better position and promised that if I gave one last big push that we could see our baby and find out whether it was a boy or girl. It worked! Scott announced the sex, but I didn't actually hear him because I was shouting out to everyone in the room, "I love you all! I can't believe I did it! Are you sure it is over?" They put the baby on my chest immediately. Then, I felt the warm umbilical cord and she was soooooooooo soft against my skin. I looked down and said, "It's a girl", not knowing that it was old news. Our labor nurse, Sherry, was super supportive and allowed us to bond for a long time. Elsa cried a lot, but it was because she was so alert and healthy and happy! Sherry helped us nurse together for the first time. We were hooked!

Our experience at The Family Birthplace was amazing. We loved the small town atmosphere and felt personally cared for by everyone. It was fantastic compared to the feel of the "baby factory" in Denver. Scott got breakfast in the morning and we loved our candlelight dinner! All the nurses were so sweet and kind. They let me nurse Elsa through the hearing test, and she passed so much quicker that way. We were also blown away by the hand knit hat that a generous volunteer makes for the newborns. I can just see her knitting away and wondering who would be wearing the next little cap. She has no idea how special her gift was to our family. FBP just rocks! If God blesses us with more children, we hope to have them there.

I came away with a small tear on my old episiotomy. Just a reminder about how much better my birth was this time. The recovery has already been a hundred times easier than my first experience. I owe all of this to my support team especially the midwives, Gretchen and Sandy, and Scott. I also feel that having such a positive birth experience is helping me through the Post partum Phase. I just feel such a sense of accomplishment and renewed self-confidence and peace with myself. I know I can tackle small daily problems and I draw from my birth to relax and pray through my little dilemmas each day. We are overwhelmed and humbled by God's greatness in blessing us with such an amazing journey to meet Elsa Pearl. We praise Him for his amazing design for women's bodies and thank Him for surrounding us with such special angels (Gretchen, Sandy, Sue, Jan, Michelle, Sherri and all the nurses and especially little Elsa Pearl)!

Becky, Scott, Grace and Elsa Lieb