My Pregnancy & Birth Journey!

[ummu_moussa]

My second son was born on April 19, 2009...alhamdulillah (praise be to God!)!  This pregnancy had quite the drama -- from getting a really yucky winter flu to getting wisdom teeth removed with weak anesthesia.  But, by far the most significant and stressful issue was the threat of pre-term labor due to an incompetent cervix.  This was a condition that was the result of a procedure removing cancerous cells from my cervix.  Thank God this prevented cervical cancer; however, this procedure left my cervix slightly short and unable to sustain the weight of a baby without help.  In this situation, a cerclage (a cervical stitch) was placed around week 16 to keep the cervix closed.  It is then removed around week 37 of pregnancy.

From the time the cerclage was placed, I was in constant fear of pre-term labor (which can still occur).  I continued to work, but made a huge effort to stay off my feet at work (I have a desk job) and at home. Any time spent on Cafemom was on the Cerclage support board.  Everyone's positive stories and support there was invaluable (thank you cerclage sisters...LOL).

This issue made me high-risk, and, therefore, not able to be under a midwife's care.  This was disappointing to me since I wanted to use the Hollywood Birth Center again.  I absolutely love the calm and comforting environment and the amazing staff of midwives that work there.

Ten weeks after my cerclage was placed, the doctor told me that my cervix was continuing to shorten; it was at 1.1 cm (the average is 4cm)!!  I was only 26 weeks!!!!  I was terrified that I would deliver a premature baby.  BUT, after many prayers and taking care of myself, I made it to 37 weeks.  At that point, the baby is safe developmentally to be born! Alhamdulillah (praise be to God)!!!!!

At that point, I ditched my doctor -- who probably didn't even notice as her office is very busy with tons of patients (I know because of the ridiculously long wait times at my appointments). I was very grateful to her for her excellent care, but I had my heart set on giving birth at the birthing center.

Moussa (my 18 month old) was my main motivation to use this facility.  I didn't want to be away from my family overnight (you are discharged within 4-6 hours at the birthing center).  Staying at the hospital for 2 days is not something I looked forward to -- crappy food, sharing rooms, hallway noise, blood pressure checks in the middle of the night.  I can continue listing my annoyances, but I will stop there!

The other reason for a birth center delivery was also to keep Moussa with my husband and me.  The birth center has a comfortable set up for families with a play area, full kitchen and a media room.  Imagine a cross between a nice hotel and a small clinic.  Moussa was able to run around, play and even nap in one of the rooms while I was in labor. 

Alhamdulillah, I had a fast, but very intense and painful labor.  Don't forget...using a birthing center means having a natural, unmedicated birth.  However, it's not as horrible as it sounds.  Being in the jacuzzi tub with hot water and massaging jets eased my muscles and made it somewhat bearable. Mohammed was born within 35 minutes of arriving at the birth center!  As soon as he was born, he was placed on my chest and I gave him salams (peace) and held him for about 30 minutes.  He wasn't taken away from me to be poked and prodded under flourescent lights.  His umbilical cord remained intact until it stopped pumping to allow the valuable, nutrient-rich cord blood to finish entering his body. It was an amazing and surreal experience!

My room at the birth center...

Here's the other part of the room...

Here's where I delivered...

It's an en suite bathroom from my room pictured above.

[Aasiyah]

Jun. 10, 2009 at 9:22 AM

as salamu alaikum. Alhamdulliah!  Allah is Great!  You were a brave woman to ditch your doc and go to where your heart lies... im glad you had a good experience after so much aprehension. Thanks for sharing your story.