Denise's
Birth Story
Our New Year's Baby
The Birth of Alysha Nicole Iskiw
What
a wonderful way to begin a New Year - we welcomed
our precious baby girl into our family.  Alysha's
natural birth was a long awaited for and greatly
desired
miracle. I've had three previous c-sections to deliver our sons. Our first was
still born at 33 weeks, our second son Brandon is now 14 years old and our third
son Justin is 10. Even though I desired a VBAC very much it seemed that once
I was on the "c-section express" I couldn't get off. I questioned the
necessity of the sections and felt angry for not being able to remove the label
I had been given and frustrated that I was never given a fair opportunity to
birth my babies vaginally.
Six months prior to becoming pregnant with Alysha, I recall quietly waiting on
the Lord. Suddenly, I heard the Lord speak to my heart that He would bless me
with a baby girl and a natural, vaginal birth. I didn't know how this was going
to come about but I trusted and believed the Lord to bring this miracle to pass.
During my pregnancy, I joined the Edmonton VBAC Association for support and read
all the literature I could get my hands on about VBAC, cesarean prevention and
natural birth. My husband Tim and I also hired a doula,
Suzanne Moquin of Gentle Touch for support and worked on our birth plan. In early
July of 2002 we attended
an appointment with an OB that was known to be VBAC friendly. The appointment
was a disaster. I left his office very depressed and devastated after my hopes
and dreams of having a VBAC were destroyed. He only gave me a 50% chance of having
a vaginal birth. The only positive aspect of the appointment was hearing our
baby's heartbeat for the very first time. Even though I've experienced three
c-sections I knew my body had not forgotten how to give birth. My husband and
I felt that if I went the route of an OB and hospital I would be guaranteed a
surgical birth. I could not, would not allow it. I needed and deserved a positive
birth experience. I e-mailed Suzanne our doula and told her about our horrific
appointment and inquired about what our options were. Suzanne gave me the names
of several midwives. Noreen Walker of Passages Midwifery was at the top of the
list and her name seemed to jump off the page. I called Noreen and made an appointment.
My journey down a different passage had begun. At our initial meeting in August
of 2002, I knew immediately that I wanted Noreen to be my midwife. She did not
hesitate for a second to take me on as a client and she was so positive! Noreen
had no doubt in her mind that I could birth my baby vaginally and the fact that
I had 3 previous sections did not bother her one iota.
Her confidence in
me helped reinforce the confidence that I had in
myself about giving birth vaginally. The
subsequent prenatal visits were awesome. I had never experienced such genuine,
personalized care before and Noreen and I established a mutually trusting relationship.
Not only was my health and my baby's health assessed, but I was able to discuss
my concerns and feeling s openly with Noreen and she really listened and cared
about how I felt. We even shared some tears. Noreen, Suzanne, Tim and I all
looked forward to this home water birth with great
anticipation. The evening of Dec.
30/02 I started prelabour with plenty of practice contractions. On Dec. 31
my contractions were stronger but a good pattern
had not yet been established. I
kept myself occupied by preparing our New Year's Eve dinner. By early evening
I started recording the duration and intervals of my contractions. Tim, the
boys and I watched some movies and at midnight we
hugged, kissed and wished each other
a Happy New Year. Tim and I went to bed. I thought I could wait until a more
decent hour before I started making phone calls, but by 2:00 a.m. I was contacting
our doula Suzanne. Our sons were uncomfortable with staying for the birth so
arrangements were made for them to stay at my sister's and brother-in-law's place.
Suzanne
arrived at our home
shortly
after 3:00 a.m. I was so excited !
Even though the duration of my pregnancy
went by very quickly, it seemed like I had waited forever for this moment to
arrive.
I couldn't believe this was finally happening. I stayed calm, breathing deeply
during contractions; swaying back and forth and letting my body do what it
needed to do. My labour seemed to progress the best when I walked up and down
the stairs.
As the contractions grew more powerful and longer in duration, Suzanne kept
praising me and reminding me of how strong I was and helped me visualize what
my body
was doing to move my baby down and to open up to give birth. I remember crying
because the reality finally dawned on me: I was going to experience a  natural,
beautiful birth without intervention. The emotional release renewed my strength.
Noreen was notified at about 11:00 a.m. that I was in labour. She
arrived at our home at noon. Noreen was also assisting another couple at the
Stony Plain Birthing Centre so she recommended checking my cervix to see how
dilated I was. I was so happy when she told me I was 6-7 cm dilated and paper
thin that Suzanne and I cried. I was doing it! Tim and Noreen set up the birthing
pool in the living room. Noreen then was paged to return to Stony Plain for
the delivery of the other couple's baby. I desperately wanted Noreen to attend
the
delivery of my baby so we decided it was best to slow things down - I knew
in my heart that everything would work out and I remained calm and confident.
We
listened to instrumental music and Suzanne gave me a wonderful massage as I
supported myself on the birthing ball.
After, I resumed walking and coping
with very strong
contractions that made my legs shake and made me feel like vomiting. Suzanne
reassured me that this was normal. I recall resting on the birthing ball and
telling my husband between sobs that I knew I had to get up and keep walking
but I didn't want to. I was getting very tired and irritable. Suzanne suggested
that I enter the pool. The thought of submerging my body in the pool of warm
water sounded heavenly. The setting was perfect: fire in the fireplace, soft
music, candlelight and warm water definitely helped me cope with the contractions.
Noreen called to say she was on her way. I remember having a strong contraction,
feeling pressure then a popping sensation. My membranes had ruptured in the
pool.
Noreen had returned and Bev O'Brien the back-up midwife had arrived. Everything
was in place. Noreen told me that she always imagined me having an evening
birth. My pushing sensation was not yet overwhelming so Noreen checked my cervix.
She
said I was 9 cm with a bit of a lip of my cervix in the way. She asked if I
wanted her to lift the tissue with her fingers to help the progress. I agreed.
I remember
crying out with the pain but with the next contraction the urge to bear down
was intense. I was fully dilated and I began to push my baby through the birth
canal. I never imagined how incredible the urge to bear down would be. I had
to work very hard and at times I felt overwhelmed with exhaustion. Tim wiped
my brow and neck and I was given water and birth tincture to keep up my energy.
With each contraction I made eye contact with Noreen. Her calm presence and
gentle reassurance kept me focused. I was making loud growling noises that
must have
resembled a grizzly bear but being vocal helped.
Noreen kept her hand on my
perineum to help me target where I needed to push. She also had me change positions
frequently
to help keep moving the baby down. Shortly before delivery, I was helped out
of the pool to resume a squat position with Tim's support. This position seemed
to move the baby down the most. I then returned to the pool for the final few
pushes. When the baby's head was crowning Noreen exclaimed that the baby had
lots of hair and encouraged me to touch my baby's head. By this point, I felt
like all my energy had been depleted. I was encouraged to give one more big
push. I remember telling myself that I could do this and that the Lord is my
strength.
I gave a great push and my baby's head was delivered. I recall everyone helping
me up at this moment and I gave one more tremendous push. At 10:55 p.m. my
baby girl was born. My dream had come true. I had given birth to our daughter
naturally,
without intervention. I saw my baby and held her immediately after birth and
I heard her first cry. Tears of joy flowed. I have no words to describe how
happy, relieved and complete I felt. Tim said the look on my face was priceless.
I introduced
our daughter, Alysha Nicole Iskiw, to everyone. After Noreen clamped the cord
she assisted Tim in cutting it.
Shortly afterward the placenta was delivered
and I was assisted out of the pool. I was shaking uncontrollably so Noreen
and Bev wrapped me in heated towels and blankets. Suzanne made me a cup of
chicken
broth. We shared hugs and kisses of joy. Alysha was examined. She was a perfectly
healthy 7 pounds and 12 ounces and 19.5 inches long bundle of sweetness. I
placed her to my breast. At this point Tim had gone outdoors for some air.
It was a
very emotionally charged experience for him as well. After Tim returned he
held Alysha while Noreen put her seamstress skills to use and stitched my perineum
because I tore a bit during the birth. She did and excellent job. She mothered
me by helping me dry off after my shower, microwaved a bowl of soup for me,
put
me and baby to bed and cleaned up the pool and supplies.
Choosing to birth at home with a midwife was the best decision we could ever
have made. I felt that birthing at home was the best, safest and only option
for me to be able to experience the type of birth that I wanted. In spite of
the long labour and challenging work, I savored every moment of Alysha's birth.
When I gaze at her and recall the miracle of her birth tears well up in my
eyes. I feel so good about myself and about being a mom. I do not have those
negative
feelings of failure, loss, anger, depression and inadequacy as a woman and
mother that I had to deal with after my sons' c-section deliveries. I have
a definite  feeling
of victory, satisfaction and peace - this has been a very beautiful, positive
and healing experience for me. I finally feel complete as a woman. I
will forever be thankful for the support I received from my midwife, doula
and husband. I will always be grateful to Noreen for believing in me and my
ability
to give birth vaginally when no one else would give me a chance. The home birth
experience has made a profound difference in my life. We have been so blessed
by the Lord with the natural birth of Alysha. We are so glad and thankful that
she is finally here. Alysha we love you! Thank you again Noreen, Bev and Suzanne
for your loving support and for making Alysha's birth such a beautiful and
positive experience for us.
Return to Birth
Stories
Previous Next
|
