Isabel and James Michael’s Birth Stories

as told by their mother

November 27, 2003 and February 26, 2007

It all started in March 2003 when my mom showed me an article about the new Greenhouse Birth Center in the local newspaper.  At the time my father had just passed away and I was uncertain whether I was depressed, just plain sick or pregnant.  After I figured out it was pregnant I made an appointment with the Greenhouse Birth Center.  At the moment I walked through the door I knew it felt right and after a leisurely meeting with Kip I knew it felt safe.  Nine months later, on Thanksgiving Day, I gave birth to a beautiful 10 lb. baby girl, Isabel, in the birthing tub at the Birth Center.

In November 2005 our family moved to Montana to fulfill our dream of raising our children on a ranch.  After learning I was pregnant in July 2006, I immediately was sad that I was not living in Michigan near the Greenhouse Birth Center.  But, I found a midwife and planned on having a homebirth.

Although my Montana midwife was very loving and competent she was very uneasy about my previous “very large” baby and the fact that we weren’t completely sure of the due date.  I had a very strange spotting that we weren’t sure was a period or not.  As the time drew closer my Montana midwife became more nervous about attending my delivery.  She was very concerned that I rejected her requests for ultrasounds, doctor visits, etc.

I felt wonderful, healthy and very much okay.  Although after several concerned prenatal visits I felt very uneasy.  I never experienced any prenatal visits at the Greenhouse Birth Center that weren’t totally positive and up-building.  Finally, I called Kip.  The main things she said to me were 1) You care more about this baby than anyone; 2) You have good instincts and enough knowledge to make a good decision; and 3) Yes you will have a big baby, that’s what your body does and you can handle it.

I got on the Greenhouse Birth Center ’s website that night and read all the birth stories.  It was so inspiring to read all those stories of woman who truly believe in natural birth and trusting your body to do a job it was made for.  Stories of women that have truly been “empowered” by their children’s births.

And then I knew what I had to do.  I had to be at the Greenhouse Birth Center to have this baby.  I talked with my husband and he felt the same.  So I called Kip and told her I was coming to Michigan to have my baby.  She probably thought that was a little crazy since I said I’d leave on 1-15-07 with a due date of 1-21-07.  But, she said to call when I got there.

So, on 1-15-07 I left Montana with my 3 year old daughter.  We drove for 24 hours.  My body would not allow me to stop and spend the night.  I was having so many contractions and was terrified of having my baby on the highway in below zero temperatures.  It was so worth it once I got to my Birth Center appointment and felt the complete comfort and safety.

My 21st due date came and went, then another week and then another.  Finally I resigned myself to the fact that the period in question was really a period and we refigured my due date for February 15th, which also came and went.  Thankfully, I was staying at my mom’s and being taken care of really well.

Finally, 11 days past my second due date.  I woke up at 7 am after a great night’s sleep.  I stood up and fluid leaked out.  I really thought I had just peed a little until it started coming out with contractions that were about 5 minutes apart.  So, I called the Birth Center to give them a heads up and told Clarice to take her time and I’d call back when I was ready.  Then the contractions went quickly to 3 minutes apart and I called her back and said I don’t think you’d better take your time.

I got to the Birth Center and got into the tub about 8 am.  Labor moved very quickly and after about 3 hours with 27 minutes of pushing I delivered a 10 lb 4 oz baby boy, James Michael, on the 4 year anniversary of my father’s death.  I felt this all happened as it should have, with no planning or interference from anyone.

With the intensity of the pushing and the size of the baby, I had extensive tearing.  Kip and Clarice were so wonderful, they let me have time with James, nursing him 3 times before they looked at my injuries.  They recommended I go to the hospital to have it repaired.  So, they set everything up and Mitzi drove me to Sparrow.  Of course, I left James with my mom, Kip and Clarice at the Birth Center.  He even rode in Kip’s sling while she taught a class that night. 

The hospital trip definitely was not ideal, but I’m very thankful that I went and had everything repaired correctly.  It made for an easier recovery, I believe.

Kip and Clarice saw me every day until I left for Montana 4 days later.  The only negative to any of this story is that I miss everyone at the Birth Center and had to miss out on the great postpartum visits.

I guess I don’t really have to say much more about our faith and love of the Birth Center.  I traveled 1,500 miles at 9 months pregnant to share my birth with them.  I wouldn’t change a thing.