Libby, Elry and Elias
I knew I made the right choice coming to the Madison Birth Center the moment I walked in but I was even more sure when I was two months pregnant. I had morning sickness so badly that I was starting to worry that my baby wasn’t getting enough nourishment. When I walked into the Birth Center at 6:30 at night with no appointment or even a call Aszani saw me right away! Knowing that she was there to listen to my worries and help me feel better at anytime was reassuring especially with this being my first pregnancy.

At 5:00 am on March 13, 2007 I woke up with mild cramps, but I wasn’t sure if this was really labor. We already had an appointment scheduled for that day at 9:00am so I just got ready, like usual. I even dressed thinking I might be going to work that day, but as I was putting my shoes on to walk out the door my water broke! Now I was sure I wasn’t going to work!

I chose IV antiviotics because I was group B strep positive, so I got my first one when I arrived for my appointment. I also found out that I was already 3cm dilated. Aszani told us to eat a good meal and get some rest and to be back at 3:00 pm for my next IV. That’s when I got really nervous and excited because I knew I would get to see my son soon!

After coming back home I ate a good lunch and tried to relax while I watched the Sound of Music to pass the time. By 3:00 pm when we got back to the Birth Center the contractions were getting stronger, I decided it was time to stay.

My husband Elry was by my side the whole time. His mom Elsa was there with us and my mom Wendy also came by. I was glad to have all these caring people there to support me. Through the evening they helped by giving me juice and water and putting cold washcloths on me when I was hot.

At about 7:30 pm I got into the shower with the birth ball. Elry was there making sure the water was just right and helping me to be as comfortable as possible by rubbing my back. The classes we took really helped us both to stay calm and relaxed, so my body could do what it needed to do: to bring our baby into the world.

When I got out of the shower Anastasia was there to help with the back pain I had by pressing on my lower back. I asked her not to leave and she didn’t, she stayed with me for the rest of my labor!

At about 9:30pm I wanted to get in the tub. The labor was really intense but thinking I had a couple of hours more in active labor we thought I should try to wait a while. I got up to go to the bathroom and I started thinking for the first time “I can’t do this if it gets worse than this.” Anastasia started to fill the tub for me but I couldn’t wait any longer. I knew it was time for me to push. They brought in the birth stool for me, the tub was too far and he was coming fast!

After only 15 minutes of pushing, at 10:07 pm, Elias Aidan was in my arms with his eyes open big and wide looking right at me! He had lots of dark hair (like his papi) and such a big strong cry just as I hoped for. I carried him to the bed and his papi and I just spent time cuddling and getting to know our new son! They waited to weigh him until we were ready and we were able to hold him while he got all his tests done.