Birth Stories
These are the stories of some of the families who have chosen to Birth at Home with Big Valley Midwives.
If you would like your story included, please contact Lucinda.
If you would like your story included, please contact Lucinda.
Jesse
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The birth of Jesse, both the written birth story and a short video.
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Avery
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Addelyn
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Click here to see this mother telling her birth story.
Click here to see a fabulous slideshow of the birth by Emily Shores Photography. Click here to see the full video of the birth. |
Jude
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Mateo
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Isabelle
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Click here to see a wonderful collage of photos taken at the birth of Isabelle Gloria Maitland, born to Rebekah and Andrew Maitland. Photos by Katie Bee's Photography. |
Jade
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Skylar
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I had been contracting since my January second, right after my birthday dinner. Twenty days. This whole irritated uterus thing was becoming, well, irritating. My Doula-Brain told me that I could very well do this for another two weeks after my due date, but the thought of it honestly made me want to rip my hair out... Continue reading... |
Everett's Birth
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Mom's StoryI was having intense, infrequent contractions two days prior to my son’s birth-date. I was 39 weeks pregnant and figured that my body was preparing for the real thing.
Read more... Dad's StoryMy wife is truly one of the strongest women I know. I am still so in awe of her for having an at home, natural birth. I was extremely nervous in the weeks and, especially, the last few days leading up to our son’s birth. I had no idea what to expect, and only had the stories and instructions and tip that my wife and I had read/heard about during her pregnancy.
Read more... |
Mirella Rose
It all started 11 days before my due date. Prior to going into labor, I had felt extremely low and uncomfortable pressure all day and the day before.
Read more...
Sarah's Birth Stories
When I was pregnant with my first child, and not knowing any better, I sought concurrent care between a female OB and Lucinda. I would make the 2 hour drive from my home in the mountains to the big city of Modesto, wait an hour for the OB to see me, visit with the OB for ten minutes (tops), then head over to Lucinda’s home office. It was there that I could finally relax while getting to know the person who would participate in the most profound moment of my life. Lucinda gathered the same information that the OB had and expressed sympathy for my having to repeat the whole process. She did not, however, try to dissuade me from continuing my meetings with my other provider.
Read Sarah's birth stories...
Claire's Birthday
Photo by www.melodyanddavidphotography.com
Claire’s birth really started three days prior on Friday the 10th. I had a biophysical profile that afternoon since I was 41 weeks and 4 days pregnant. The ultrasound showed that my amniotic fluid levels were still normal and the placenta was still functioning well. After the ultrasound my husband Donny and I went for an appointment with Lucinda. I had my first cervical check and I was devastated to learn that I was not dilated at all and my cervix was still completely closed. We discussed our options and decided to try some natural techniques to help start my labor over the weekend.
Read the rest of the story...
Mara Grace
I am going to have a baby. At home. With a midwife.
Even though I had a c-section last time.
I'm doing this.
Read the whole story...
Birthing My Son
Birth Story by Christy
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I really wanted to try for a VBAC but having just moved to the area, I didn't know what birthing options I would have. I was thrilled to find a number of midwives and after talking with a few, I fell in love with Lucinda and was so thankful she was available to do VBACs. I planned to birth at home as long as I remained low-risk but was relieved to know that Lucinda would accompany me at the hospital if that is what I chose or needed. To read more... |
October Baby
During the summer of 2010, I usually went to a class at the gym on Fridays. But on Friday October 22, I was at a prenatal visit with our midwife, Lucinda. And it was a worrisome visit too, because my blood pressure had been a bit high, and she mentioned inducing. I went home worried about choosing whether to be induced or wait, worried about whether we’d still be able to have a home birth, and worried about my blood pressure (which, I realized, was rather counterproductive). My husband and I discussed and prayed it over for several days.
To read more...
The Birth of Maev Lin
On Monday, July 16, 2007, at 11:00AM I had my first real contraction. For some reason, I just knew that this was labor starting. It wasn’t painful, just different from the Braxton-Hicks contractions that I’d had before. 11:00AM happened to be the exact time that Jon was leaving for very minor surgery to have a small sebaceous cyst removed from beneath his scalp. I remember putting Jon’s hand on my belly, and saying, “I think that’s a contraction.” Then we kissed goodbye because he had to go.
While he was gone, I cleaned the house, did laundry, and took care of all those little last minute things that I wanted to do before the baby arrived. I’m glad that I was home and that I was pretty sure this was it, as it gave me some time to prepare myself and our home. I told my friends on MDC that I thought I was in labor.
To read more...
While he was gone, I cleaned the house, did laundry, and took care of all those little last minute things that I wanted to do before the baby arrived. I’m glad that I was home and that I was pretty sure this was it, as it gave me some time to prepare myself and our home. I told my friends on MDC that I thought I was in labor.
To read more...
The Birth of Jaim Allen
The Birth, as drawn by Big Sister
As we were falling asleep the night of October 3rd, Jon told me that he had a feeling that Jaim would be born the next day. Jon is not the kind of person who talks like that. He doesn't ever think he knows when or how something will happen. So I was kind of surprised that he said that.
The next day - Sunday, October 4th, 2009 - I woke up at 7:30AM. Maev was sleeping next to me, and Jon was in the family room working on his editing. At that time, I had cut Maev's nursing down to once a night for five minutes before bed. However, this morning, I let her nurse for a half hour before I got out of bed, hoping that the nipple stimulation would start labor.
To read more...