Jennifer Mary’s Birth Story

by her Mother

Jennifer Mary was the first baby of the year (2005) born at the Greenhouse birthing center.

I began labor bright and early at 7am although I wasn't sure until after my husband had left for work! My first son Anthony was born by c-section (a difficult experience) and now a VBAC was planned for my second baby and this was the day that I (with the encouragement of Kip and Clarice) had prepared for mentally and physically as much as possible.

My labor rapidly progressed and my husband, Dan, had just arrived at work in Saline when I called for him to come home! Original plans of a friend/cousin in Howell changed to a friend a couple miles away to come and pick up Anthony. We called and Kip told us to head on over--living in Brighton, we were more than happy to go to Okemos. I knew for sure I was NOT going to the hospital where Anthony was delivered.

Time seemed to stand still as we drove to GBC and Dan continually asked when each contraction was and if I was ok-I would say YES! Just GO,GO! After arriving at the GBC, we were welcomed warmly by Kip. She had just gotten there to open up the center-Clarice and Dawn arrived later and labor became LABOR. I wanted to be on the toilet continually in the morning then in later afternoon I wanted to be in the water -I was very insistent to stay in the water but labor was not progressing well as afternoon turned into early evening.

I was not aware of this as I was getting tired, and labor all day was starting to take its toll. Time slowed down to where I could only focus on each contraction at a time. Kip and Clarice and Dawn were right there with me and of course my husband-we all worked together. There were times where I remember I did NOT want Kip-stated "GET CLARICE IN HERE" and have her talk about her cats! Other times I needed the firmness/just do it/need to do it/can't get out of it- of Dawn's helpfulness. Then there were definite times where the constant reassurance of Kip's smile and/or words. It was like a wonderful blend of spirits, all had the same goal, a successful VBAC, mother and baby doing wonderful, and helping/encouraging the mother, me, that she can and will bring her baby into the world.

I am by nature a rather shy, introverted woman who needed Kip to let me know it was ok and that it was necessary to "let go and be wild." I don't think that was her exact words but I got the message that if I was going to birth this child I needed to forget modesty and any part of it.

About halfway through labor, I was not progressing and I heard a few whispers between Dan and Clarice but didn't register what was going on. All I wanted to do was stay in the water! Well the time came where I had to get out and they wanted me to walk. I remember telling my husband that he was torturing me because he was forcing me to stand up and walk. He would say, "just around the kitchen table," and we would take a few more steps. Just as we reached around the table I felt a whoosh and wetness. I didn't even realize my water had broke until Kip quick as ever took out her flashlight and was on the floor looking up to check me out just in case the baby decided to make her entrance right then!

This was a good sign that my labor was starting to progress again and I wanted back into the water. So in I went, contractions, INTENSE contractions continued and then I thought that I was starting to feel an urge to push. Clarice and Kip realized that I was using a lot of my energy on ineffective pushing. I didn't know how to push, I never did it before. I was getting very tired out by this time. When in the tub, Clarice helpfully put her fingers on me to guide me how I was to push. This helped me tremendously, and quickly I was making progress. Dan was right there by the tub stroking my arm, telling me I could do this. I remember saying "NO I CANT, I CAN'T DO THIS," but quickly remembered the power of the mind and would change this to "I CAN." Quietly, in my mind, I would think, "do this for you, you can do it, the baby will soon be here and do this for the baby, she is working hard too."

Pushing contractions continued and Dan mentioned that there was black hair in the tub, which he thought was from his arm being in the water. No, somebody said that is from the baby's head! What a contrast since I am blonde. I noticed that they said, "there's the head, doing great-keep it up," then it seemed to take a long time. I remember thinking, "it's not supposed to take this long after the head is delivered," and I started to panic. They all quickly relieved my fear by saying, "it's ok, doing great." Then all at once, Clarice said, "OUT OF THE TUB NOW!"

Everybody scrambled and I was about ready to drop and poor Dawn had most of my weight on her. With the last of my strength, Clarice said, "you need to PUSH NOW, as hard as you can, push the baby out." I remember the urgency and Clarice had to reposition Jennifer's shoulder at the same time because it was not coming out smoothly. (Later I found out it was shoulder dystocia, and Clarice used the right maneuver if I'm not mistaken.)

While Clarice was helping Jennifer be released, I pushed with all my might and last drop of my strength and Kip caught Jennifer, all 9#-2oz of her!( I remember saying over and over, "she weighs HOW MUCH?" (Anthony had been 7#11 oz. ) A successful VBAC, I did have a small rear tear that healed well without stitches. Jennifer is now 14 months old (3/06) and is a energetic, outgoing , beautiful version of her daddy.

Would I have done anything different? An astounding NO! It was a beautiful and healing experience that was helpful in increasing my confidence in being a woman and a mother. The Greenhouse Birth Center was the best choice because of the care, encouragement, and all the help that was given to make Jennifer's birth as wonderful as possible. The labor was a lot more intense than I expected, but there was also intense bliss after the labor was over and Jennifer was born. I was amazed at the dramatic difference in recovery time between a c-section and vaginal birth--within 2 weeks I was mostly healed and moving around. With my c-section it was weeks/months before I was completely recovered.

I now am the proud mother of my son Anthony, who is now 2-and-a-half, and Jennifer, 14-months-old. I'm thankful that the Greenhouse Birth Center was there when I had a need, and is there presently to encourage, or just be a safe haven to stop by and be refreshed again by the friendly atmosphere. Keep up the good work!

P.S. Dan's version of the story starts off with "...let me tell you about the best 3,600 bucks I ever spent.."