All Natural Birth Center

Shakeena's Birth Story

I had my first child at a hospital. The father and I went to clinic visits together and even childbirth classes but when I delivered at the hospital It didn't seem as if the staff and Doctors welcomed him as a part of the birth experience. I did not even know the doctor who delivered me, of course at the clinic I had seen 5 or 6 separate Doctors and nurse practitioners. After waiting 2-3 hours sometimes my face to face contact would be all of 7 minutes or so. I did not want that experience again. I had never heard of a birth center before. I did not know that I could use a midwife if I had Medicaid. Wylene, my midwife had given me a brochure all about midwifery services. After reading it I called her to start my prenatal care. As time passed and the delivery date grew nearer we would go over educational materials such as breast feeding, Active birth techniques and well baby care. I felt confident with her experience as a midwife and I was very happy to know that I could have my family with me the entire time. Both my 2 year old son and the father of my baby were there with me. He was so happy to know that he would be welcomed to be a part of his Childs birth. My midwives and birth team Wylene, Luna, and Roqaunda; encouraged me throughout labor and helped him to be a supportive partner The birth team was so attentive. I labored in the water most of the time. I barely felt the contractions while in the water. The warmth of the heated water wrapped around my entire body like a blanket . While in the water Wylene would take me through guided imagery and meditation. This birth is truly my most memorable moment. I know in the future I could never do this any other way..

Rhonda's Birth Story
I had to go to New York to see family members and I went into false labor . I went to Queens County Hospital because I was only 36 weeks. I remember telling the nurse I have to go back to Florida to see my midwife. I had axiosoulsy awaited being able to have a water birth. I finally made it back to Florida a week after that episode of false labor. I came in for my prenatal visit and the following weekend I began having contractions. I arrived at the Birth Center in the wee hours of the morning. I was already 5 centimeters dilated. The contractions were not yet bothersome. I labored in the water for only a short time. Unlike my first delivery at a hospital I had no pitocin so the contractions were very manageable. I went for a walk. I was able to eat light snacks. I didn't have an IV pole or cords hooked to me. Its so funny they say don't use drugs while your pregnant but the moment you go into labor they don't hesitate to push them on you. The midwives only push me to trust by body's ability to do what it was made to. I got nothing but positive reinforcement, I was constantly being told how well I was coping and how I was progressing. I sat on a birthing ball while one of the midwives Sheila-Simms, relaxed me with a sacral massage. I sat upright in the rocking chair for a while. They were so patient with me even when I didn't feel I could cope they brought me back into the reality that when its over I'll be holding my baby. By staying active and upright this labor was more manageable and shorter than my first birth. When I gave birth I was holding my baby and squatting on a birthing stool. It was amazing how being on the birthing stool and squatting allowed me do less pushing ,it was almost as if my baby slid into being. I must have spent 2 minutes or so holding him close to me just gazing in his eyes. The midwives never took him away, no 4 hour stays in the nursery. It was just me and my baby. It was a very gentle experience.

Indira's Birth Story

Since this was my first baby I wanted to educate myself about pregnancy and birth options. I had read books and such the internet for information on birth centers and midwives. My husband and I had a consultation and birth center tour . It had such a home like setting. I discussed with my midwife during the pregnancy that I wanted initiate immediate bonding. We discussed breastfeeding, rooming in, and making full use of a birth plan. After delivery my son was immediately placed on my belly just like I wanted. With the help of my birth team I was able to get the support I need to breastfeed right away and even after I went home. If I had to use 3 words to some up my pregnancy and birth experience at the Birth center FI would have to say it was empowering, joy filled and guided.

*Shakeena's Birth Story* I had my first child at a hospital. The father and I went to clinic visits together and even childbirth classes but when I delivered at the hospital It didn't seem as if the staff and Doctors welcomed him as a part of the birth experience. I did not even know the doctor who delivered me, of course at the clinic I had seen 5 or 6 separate Doctors and nurse practitioners. After waiting 2-3 hours sometimes my face to face contact would be all of 7 minutes or so. I did not want that experience again. I had never heard of a birth center before. I did not know that I could use a midwife if I had Medicaid. Wylene, my midwife had given me a brochure all about midwifery services. After reading it I called her to start my prenatal care. As time passed and the delivery date grew nearer we would go over educational materials such as breast feeding, Active birth techniques and well baby care. I felt confident with her experience as a midwife and I was very happy to know that I could have my family with me the entire time. Both my 2 year old son and the father of my baby were there with me. He was so happy to know that he would be welcomed to be a part of his Childs birth. My midwives and birth team Wylene, Luna, and Roqaunda; encouraged me throughout labor and helped him to be a supportive partner The birth team was so attentive. I labored in the water most of the time. I barely felt the contractions while in the water. The warmth of the heated water wrapped around my entire body like a blanket . While in the water Wylene would take me through guided imagery and meditation. This birth is truly my most memorable moment. I know in the future I could never do this any other way..


	*Rhonda's Birth Story* I had to go to New York to see family members and I went into false labor . I went to Queens County Hospital because I was only 36 weeks. I remember telling the nurse I have to go back to Florida to see my midwife. I had axiosoulsy awaited being able to have a water birth. I finally made it back to Florida a week after that episode of false labor. I came in for my prenatal visit and the following weekend I began having contractions. I arrived at the Birth Center in the wee hours of the morning. I was already 5 centimeters dilated. The contractions were not yet bothersome. I labored in the water for only a short time. Unlike my first delivery at a hospital I had no pitocin so the contractions were very manageable. I went for a walk. I was able to eat light snacks. I didn't have an IV pole or cords hooked to me. Its so funny they say don't use drugs while your pregnant but the moment you go into labor they don't hesitate to push them on you. The midwives only push me to trust by body's ability to do what it was made to. I got nothing but positive reinforcement, I was constantly being told how well I was coping and how I was progressing. I sat on a birthing ball while one of the midwives Sheila-Simms, relaxed me with a sacral massage. I sat upright in the rocking chair for a while. They were so patient with me even when I didn't feel I could cope they brought me back into the reality that when its over I'll be holding my baby. By staying active and upright this labor was more manageable and shorter than my first birth. When I gave birth I was holding my baby and squatting on a birthing stool. It was amazing how being on the birthing stool and squatting allowed me do less pushing ,it was almost as if my baby slid into being. I must have spent 2 minutes or so holding him close to me just gazing in his eyes. The midwives never took him away, no 4 hour stays in the nursery. It was just me and my baby. It was a very gentle experience.

*Indira's Birth Story* Since this was my first baby I wanted to educate myself about pregnancy and birth options. I had read books and such the internet for information on birth centers and midwives. My husband and I had a consultation and birth center tour . It had such a home like setting. I discussed with my midwife during the pregnancy that I wanted initiate immediate bonding. We discussed breastfeeding, rooming in, and making full use of a birth plan. After delivery my son was immediately placed on my belly just like I wanted. With the help of my birth team I was able to get the support I need to breastfeed right away and even after I went home. If I had to use 3 words to some up my pregnancy and birth experience at the Birth center FI would have to say it was empowering, joy filled and guided.